The only alteration in the following is the difference of the
orthography which I have made for the benefit of your readers. They are
extracts from a curious manuscript, containing directions for the
household of Henry VIII.
"His highness' baker shall not put alum in the bread, or mix rye, oaten,
or bean flour with the same, and if detected, he shall be put into the
stocks.
"His highness' attendants are not to steal any locks or keys, tables,
forms, cupboards, or other furniture of noblemen's or gentlemen's
houses, where he goes to visit.
"Master cooks shall not employ such scullions as go about naked, or lie
all night on the ground before the kitchen fire.
"No dogs to be kept in the court, but only a few spaniels for the
ladies.
"Dinners to be at ten, and suppers at four.
"The officers of his privy chamber shall be loving together, no grudging
or grumbling, or talking of the king's pastime.
"The king's barber is enjoined to be cleanly, not to frequent the
company of misguided women, for fear of danger to the king's royal
person.
"There shall be no romping with the maids on the staircase, by which
dishes and other things are often broken!
"The pages shall not interrupt the kitchen maids.
"The grooms shall not steal his highness's straw for bed, sufficient
being allowed to them.
"Coal only to be allowed to the king's, queen's, and lady Mary's
chambers.[2]
"The brewers not to put any brimstone in the ale.
"Twenty-four loaves a-day for his highness' greyhounds.
"Ordered--that all noblemen and gentlemen at the end of the session of
parliament, depart to their several counties, on pain of the royal
displeasure."
The following items contain nothing very remarkable, and if they did,
perhaps I have copied enough already for a specimen of this ludicrous
manuscript.