The books of St. Giles’ parish furnish the following extracts:—
| 1641. | Received of the Vintner at the Catt in Queene Streete, for p’mitting of tipling on the Lord’s day | £1 | 10 | 0 |
| 1644. | Received of three poor men, for drinking on the Sabbath daie at Tottenham Court | £0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1646. | Received of Mr. Hooker, for brewing on a Fast day | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 1648. | Received from Isabel Johnson, at the Cole Yard, for drinking on the sabbath day | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1655. | Received of a Mayd taken in Mrs. Jackson’s Ale-house on the sabbath day | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Received of a Scotchman drinking at Robert Owen’s on the Sabbath | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1658. | Received of Joseph Piers, for refusing to open his doores to have his house searched on the Lord’s daie | 0 | 10 | 0 |
In 1641, an amusing pamphlet was published on the subject of Sunday closing. Its title, frontispiece, and an extract from its contents are given on the opposite page.
About this period was in vogue that curious old form of punishment which was known as the drunkard’s, or Newcastle, cloak. This garment was nothing more nor less than a beer barrel, worn in the manner shown in the accompanying illustration. Possibly the inventor of sandwich men derived his idea from this source.
Locke, in his second letter on Toleration, informs us that the intolerance of the age with regard to Dissent was carried to such length that hardly any walk in life was free from obstacles thrown in the way of Dissenters pursuing it. Amongst other things he mentions that those who had licences to sell ale were compelled to receive the Sacrament according to the rites of the Church of England. We are unable to find in contemporary records any confirmation of this alleged regulation.
Cook.—“There is ſuch news in the world will anger thee to heare of, it is as bad, as bad may be.”
Froth.—“Is there ſo? I pray thee what is it, tell me whatever it be.”
Cook.—“Have you not heard of the reſtraint lately come out againſt us, from the higher powers; whereby we are commanded not to ſell meat nor draw drink upon Sundays, as will anſwer the contrary at our perils.”