Paide for 11 lb. of suger which went with the wine 18d. per pounde 16s. 6d." "Mr. Maiore and his brethren" enjoyed sugar and sundry pottles of wine. It is satisfactory to find that the ladies were not neglected at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Here is an entry referring to the entertainment of the Mayoress and other ladies:-- "April, 1595.--Paide for secke, suger, clared wine, and caikes, to Mrs. Maris, and other gentlewomen, in Mr. Baxter, his chamber 6s. 8d." In the same month is an entry far different in character. It is a charge of 4d. for leading a scolding woman through the town wearing the brank. Payments for inflicting punishment on men and women frequently occur. The accounts of the borough of St. Ives, Cornwall, contain an item as follows:-- "1640.--Payde Nicholas Prigge for two loaves of sugar, which were presented to Mr. Recorder £1 10s. 0d." The records of the city of Winchester include particulars of many presents of sugar loaves and other gifts. On March 24th, 1592, it was decided at a meeting of the municipal authorities to present the Lord Marquis of Winchester with a sugar loaf weighing five pounds, and a gallon of sack, on his coming to the Lent Assizes. The accounts of the city at this period contain entries of payments for sugar loaves given to the Recorder for a New Year's present, and for pottles of wine bestowed on distinguished visitors. [Illustration: WOMAN WEARING A BRANK, OR SCOLD'S BRIDLE.] [Illustration: THE BRANK, OR SCOLD'S BRIDLE.] At a meeting held in 1603 of the local authorities of Nottingham, it was agreed that the town should present to the Recorder, Sir Henry Pierrepoint, as follows:--"A sugar loaf, 9s.; lemons, 1s. 8d.; white wine, one gallon, 2s. 8d.; claret, one gallon, 2s. 8d.; muskadyne, one pottle, 2s. 8d.; sack, one pottle, 2s.; total, 20s. 8d." A year later the burgesses of Nottingham wished to show the great esteem they entertained for the Earl of Shrewsbury, and it was decided to give to him "a veal of mutton, a lamb, a dozen chickens, two dozen rabbits, two dozen of pigeons, and four capons." This is a truly formidable list, and seems more suitable for stocking a shop than a gentleman's larder. The porpoise in past times was prized as a delicacy, and placed on royal tables. Down to the days of Queen Elizabeth it was used by the nobles as an article of food. In the reign of that queen, a penny in twelve was the market due at Newcastle-on-Tyne, when the fish were cut up and exposed for sale. The heads, fins, and numbles were taken in addition. The seal was subject to the same regulations. The porpoise was deemed suitable for a present. In 1491 it is recorded that a large porpoise was sent from Yarmouth as a gift to the Earl of Oxford.