mainteined), to the end they may fleece them yet more, which is a
lamentable hering. The third thing they talke of is vsurie, a trade
brought in by the Jewes, now perfectlie practised almost by euerie
christain, and so commonlie, that he is accompted but for a foole
that dooth lend his monie for nothing."

Interest has run up to 12 per cent.; wherefore, "helpe I praie thee in
lawfull maner to hang vp such as take _Centum pro cento_, for they are no
better worthie as I doo iudge in conscience." The 4th grievance is that
Gentlemen (!) have actually "themselves become grasiers, butchers,
tanners, sheepmasters, woodmen, and _denique quod non_!"

The chapter, "Of Cities and Townes in England," is dull, but has a short
account of the antiquities found in old Verulam, and Harrison's visit
there in the summer of 1586 or 1585; and his groan over the decay of
houses, their destruction by greedy land-owners, and the hard fare of poor
men. He evidently would have put a limit to the land that one man might
hold. In "Of Castles and Holds," he wants the East coast fortified (p.
265), notes the frequency of old camps "in the plaine fields of England,"
and says:--

"I need not to make anie long discourse of castles, sith it is not
the nature of a good Englishman to regard to be caged vp as in a
coope, and hedged in with stone wals, but rather to meet with his
enimie in the plaine field at handstrokes, where he may trauaise his
ground, choose his plot, and vse the benefit of sunne shine, wind
and weather, to his best aduantage & commoditie."

In the next chapter he describes the Queen's palaces, but prefers the
Henry VIII. buildings to the Elizabethan:

"Certes masonrie did neuer better flourish in England than in his
time. And albeit that in these daies there be manie goodlie houses
erected in the sundrie quarters of this Iland; yet they are rather
curious to the eie, like paper worke,[47] than substantiall for
continuance: whereas such as he did set vp, excell in both, and
therefore may iustlie be preferred farre aboue all the rest."

He then gives an interesting account of the virtues of the Queen's Maids
of Honour, the vices of the Courtiers; the studies of the young Ladies,
and the medical powers of the old; all of them being able to cook
admirably, and the Carte or Bill of Fare of the dinner having been just
introduced. Lastly he notes the adm