The editor, however, tells us, on the authority of Leland, that there was at Great Milton a priory “many yeres syns;” and quotes the following quaint lines from a tablet in the church:—­

  Here lye mother and babe, both without sins,
  Next birth will make her and her infant, twins.

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Ancient FEASTINGS in Guildhall, &c.

(For the Mirror.)

The first time that Guildhall was used on festive occasions was by Sir John Shaw Goldsmith, knighted in the field of Bosworth.  After building the essentials of good kitchens, and other offices, in the year 1500, he gave here the mayor’s feast, which before had usually been done in Grocers’ Hall.  None of these bills of fare (says Pennant) have reached me; but doubtless they were very magnificent.  They at length grew to such excess, that in the time of Queen Mary a sumptuary law was made to restrain the expense both of provisions and liveries; but I suspect, (says Pennant,) as it lessened the honour of the city, it was not long observed, for in 1554, the city thought proper to renew the order of council, by way of reminding their fellow citizens of their relapse into luxury.  Among the great feasts given here on public occasions, may be reckoned that given in 1612, on occasion of the unhappy marriage of the Prince Palatine with Elizabeth, daughter of James I. The next was in 1641, when Charles I. returned from his imprudent and inefficacious journey into Scotland.  But our ancestors far surpassed these feasts.  Richard, Earl of Cornwall, brother to Henry iii. had, at his marriage feast, (as is recorded,) 30,000 dishes of meat.  Nevil, archbishop of York, had, at his consecration, a feast sufficient for 10,000 people.  One of the abbots of St. Augustine, at Canterbury, invited 5,000 guests to his installation dinner.  And King Richard II., at a Christmas feast, had daily 26 oxen, 300 sheep, besides fowls, and all other provisions proportionably.  So anciently, at a call of sergeants-at-law, each sergeant (says Fortescue) spent 1,600 crowns in feasting.

P.T.W.

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MAXIMS TO LIVE BY.

(For the Mirror.)

To have too much forethought is the part of a wretch; to have too little is the part of a fool.

Self-will is so ardent and active that it will break a world to pieces to make a stool to sit on.

Remember always to mix good sense with good things, or they will become disgusting.

If there is any person to whom you feel a dislike, that is the person of whom you ought never to speak.

Irritability urges us to take a step as much too soon, as sloth does too late.

Say the strongest things you can with candour and kindness to a man’s face, and make the best excuse you can for him with truth and justice, behind his back.