Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 7.djvu/491

 [12 s. vii. NOV. 20, 1920. NOTES AND QUERIES.

403

p d to y c quenes monne. . . . . . xx s

p (l to skrutton for makinge of the plancher of the halle steyres vi 8 viii d

1586 Poor For gas whipped again.! She was

doubtless an " incorrigable maide," and

gave great trouble to the authorities, but

might not more humane treatment have

produced better results.

" Caves, " viz., canvas. Many such entries

in these early records. The body was

carried on the " byere " in winding sheet,

and buried uncoffined.

p d to in r Richeson for ii Cades of herings one barrell of herings a qter of Codde & ii couple of Lyngs for Judge Clinche iiii 11 x s

p d to blinde Harrie w th y e cosent of m r baylie y e iii de daye of Aprill 87 to bye him an in- strument. . . . . . . . . . xv s

more to him (Robert Nelson) for carienge of the monie to Thetfloorde to the Audite w eh was lent to the Earle. . . . si 3

Gyven to my L. admiralls players y 28 of maye 87 xx s

p d to Blinde Harrie y e 8 dayo of June 87 to buy him an Instrument) . . . . xxv s

p d to Francis Forma for iii yardes of caves to make a sheet for catch epooles wiffe ii s yi d

p d for the bell Ringing for hir & hir buryall viii d

more to him for ii yardes & a qt of Denshire curseye at iiii* y yarde & for iii yardes of white" cotton for gates his doblet . . . . xi s

To Richard e Baker for wbippinge of Forgas iiii d

Gyven to the Quenes players y e 19 of Julie xl 8

p d to Thorns Dowe for carionge of a Ire to Syr Robte Southewells. . . . . . . . iiii 8

p d to Anthonie Benedicke for his wagis in kepinge y Drumme for y watche. . x, 8

p d to John Browne for mendinge of the pavinge of the market. . . . . . . . yi d

p d to Robte Bredlie for y taske monie xxx s iiii d

p d to w m skrutton f or makinge of Footesteppes for y e Beacons & mendinge of y Southe

grate iii s vi d

ARTHUR T. WINN. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

(To be continued.)

AN ESSAY IN COMMUNISM.

IT is probably well known that the Pilgrim Fathers went^ out as agents of a joint stock company. They were resolved to seek freedom for their religious worship free- dom which could only be found beyond the seas. But their enterprise had to be financed There were few men of means amongst them. They made overtures to the Virginia Company, but nothing came of them! They contemplated negotiations with the Dutch Netherlands Company, again without success. Ultimately, their representative Robert Cushman, whom they

had sent to England, came to terms with a ompany of "Adventurers" (headed by a Mr. Weston), who provided the capital on the basis of 10Z. shares. Each colonist also who went in person was credited with a 10?. share, and 20Z. if he adventured 10Z. in property as well. The terms of the under- taking were that the Colony should be supported by the company, and should work only for the company. At the end of seven years the capital and profits, including houses, lands, goods and chattels, should be divided amongst all the shareholders* The colonists were much dissatisfied with the terms of the agreement, and complained that Cushman had exceeded his instructions. They refused to sign, and sailed without doing so. When they reached New England, however, they were compelled by circum- stances to start the colony on the basis of a common life, and so continued till the spring of 1623. By that time their condi- tion had become so deplorable, owing to their own misfortunes, sickness, failure of their crops, and difficulties with the Indians, and owing also to the failure of the adven- turers to send them adequate supplies, that they felt that there was

"small hope of doing good in that common course of labour, that formerly they were in. And con- sidering that self love wherewith every man, in a measure more or less loveth and preferreth his own

ood before his neighbours' : and also the base ispositkm of some drones that as at other times so now especially would be most burdensome to the rest, it was therefore thought best that every man should use the best diligence he could for his own preservation."

Thus Winslow describes their abandon- ment, at any rate, for a time, of the com- munistic system.

Bradford's account is fuller and reflects more of the mind of the student. It is worthy to be read at length in his own characteristic style with his quaint spelling.

"The experience that was had in this comone course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Plato's & other ancients, applauded by some of later times, that y e taking away of propertie, and bringing in comunitie, into a comone wealth, would make them happy and norishing as if they were wiser than God. For this Comunitie, (so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion <fc discontent, and retard much Imployment, that should have been to their benefite and comforte. For y e yong men that were most able and fitte for labour and service, did repine that they should spend their time & strength to worke for other men's wives and chTdren without any recompence. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in devision of victails