A dinner always accompanies meetings on public occasions; feasting was formerly attached in like manner to chantries, anniversaries, &c.; and, as it appears in part of the curious items in the parish books of Darlington, clergymen officiated for a donation of wine.  It appears, too, that both ministers and parishioners were saddled with charitable aids to itinerants of various kinds; that noblemen granted passes in the manner of briefs; and that it was deemed right and proper for even churchwardens and overseers to patronize knowledge.  Accordingly we have,

“1630.  To Mr. Goodwine, a distressed scholer, 2s. 6d.”

“1631.  Given to a poor scholler, 12d.—­Given to Mary Rigby, of Hauret West, in Pembrokeshire, in Wales, who had the Earle of Pembroke’s passe....  To an Irish gentleman that had fouer children, and had Earl Marshall’s passe, 12d.”

“1635.  To a souldier which came to the church on a Sunday, 6d.”

“1639.  For Mr. Thompson, that preached the forenoone and afternoone, for a quart of sack, 14d.”

“1650.  For six quartes of sacke to the ministre that preached, when we had not a ministere, 9s.”

It is to be observed that this was in the puritanical era.

“1653.  For a primer for a poore boy, 4d.”

“1666.  For one quarte of sacke, bestowed on Mr. Jellet, when he preached, 2s. 4d.”

“1684.  To the parson’s order, given to a man both deaf and dumb, being sent from minister to minister to London, 6d.—­To Mr. Bell, with a letter from London with the names of the Royal Family, 6d.”

This is a curious item; for it shows that the Mercuries, diurnals, and intelligencers of the day, were not deemed sufficient for satisfactorily advertising public events.

“1688.  To the ringers on Thanksgiving Day, for the young Prince, in money, ale, and coals, 7s. 4d.”

This must have been for the birth of the Pretender, of warming-pan celebrity.

“1691.  For a pint of brandy, when Mr. George Bell preached here, 1s. 4d.—­When the Dean of Durham preached here, spent in a treat with him, 3s. 6d.—­For a stranger that preacht, a dozen of ale, 1s.”

Thus it plainly appears that church-wardens had a feast jointly with the minister at the parish expense, at least whenever a stranger preached.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER

  “A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles.”

SHAKSPEAKE.

* * * * *

STATIONERY LETTER.

( For the Mirror.)

  TO MR. ——­, STATIONER, HOLBORN.