[253] The plague.
[254] "First began" is a solecism common in the newspaper writing of to-day.
[255] Literally, laws of the by (town). In modern usage, "by-law" is used to designate a rule less general and less easily amended than a constitutional provision.
[256] "Sheriff" is equivalent to shire-reeve (magistrate of the county or shire). London had, and still has, two sheriffs.
[257] Acted.
[258] The inspection, according to ordinance, of weights, measures, and prices.
[259] "Pretty many," i.e., a fair number of.
[260] The officers.
[261] Were.
[262] "Falls to the serious part," i.e., begins to discourse on serious matters.