t that is learned for the most part will not be wholly forgotten in the
older years, I think it my duty to acertain your mastership how he spendeth
his time. And first after he hath heard mass he taketh a lecture of a
dialogue of Erasmus' _Colloquies_, called _Pietas Puerilis_, wherein is
described a very picture of one that should be virtuously brought up; and
for cause it is so necessary for him, I do not only cause him to read it
over, but also to practise the precepts of the same. After this he
exerciseth his hand in writing one or two hours, and readeth upon Fabyan's
_Chronicle_ as long. The residue of the day he doth spend upon the lute and
virginals. When he rideth, as he doth very oft, I tell him by the way some
history of the Romans or the Greeks, which I cause him to rehearse again in
a tale. For his recreation he useth to hawk and hunt and shoot in his long
bow, which frameth and succeedeth so well with him that he seemeth to be
thereunto given by nature."[57]

I have spoken of the organisation of the country population, I have now to
speak of that of the towns, of the trading classes and manufacturing
classes, the regulations respecting which are no less remarkable and no
less illustrative of the national character. If the tendency of trade to
assume at last a form of mere self-interest be irresistible, if political
economy represent the laws to which in the end it is forced to submit
itself, the nation spared no efforts, either of art or policy, to defer to
the last moment the unwelcome conclusion.

The names and shadows linger about London of certain ancient societies, the
members of which may still occasionally be seen in quaint gilt barges
pursuing their own difficult way among the swarming steamers; when on
certain days, the traditions concerning which are fast dying out of memory,
the Fishmongers' Company, the Goldsmiths' Company, the Mercers' Company,
make procession down the river for civic feastings at Greenwich or
Blackwall. The stately tokens of ancient honour still belong to them, and
the remnants of ancient wealth and patronage and power. Their charters may
be read by curious antiquaries, and the bills of fare of their ancient
entertainments. But for what purpose they were called into being, what
there was in these associations of common trades to surround with gilded
insignia, and how they came to be possessed of broad lands and church
preferments, few people now care to think or to inquire. Tra