_Meaning of Waste-book_ (Vol. iii., pp. 118, 195.).--Richard Dafforne, of
Northampton, in his very curious
"Merchant's Mirrour, or Directions for the Perfect Ordering and Keeping
of his Accounts; framed by way of Debitor and Creditor after the (so
tearmed) Italian Manner, containing 250 rare Questions, with their
Answers in the form of a Dialogue; as likewise a Waste Book, with a
complete Journal and Ledger thereunto appertaining;"
annexed to Malyne's _Consuetudo vel Lex Mercatoria_, edit. 1636, folio,
gives rather a different explanation of the origin of the term "waste-book"
to that contained in the answer of your last correspondent. "WASTE-BOOK,"
he observes,
"So called, because, when the Matter is written into the Journall, then
is this Book void, and of no esteeme, especially in Holland; where the
buying people firme not the Waste-book, as here our nation doe in
England."