“No one shall buy or sell lands without permission of the selectmen. “A drunkard shall have a master appointed by the selectmen, who are to debar him from the liberty of buying and selling. “Whoever publishes a lye to the prejudice of his neighbour, shall sit in the stocks, or be whipped fifteen stripes. “No Minister shall keep a school. “Every rateable person, who refuses to pay his proportion to the support of the Minister of the town or parish, shall be fined by the Court 2_l._ and 4_l._ every quarter, until he or she pay the rate to the Minister. “Men-stealers shall suffer death. “Whoever wears cloaths trimmed with gold, silver, or bone lace, above two shillings by the yard, shall be presented by the grand jurors, and the selectmen shall tax the offender at 300_l._ estate. “A debtor in prison, swearing he has no estate, shall be let out, and sold, to make satisfaction. “Whoever sets a fire in the woods, and it burns a house, shall suffer death; and persons suspected of this crime shall be imprisoned, without benefit of bail. “Whoever brings cards or dice into this Dominion shall pay a fine of 5_l._ “No one shall read Common-Prayer, keep Christmas or Saints-days, make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of music, except the drum, trumpet, and jews-harp.[18] “No Gospel Minister shall join people in marriage; the Magistrates only shall join in marriage, as they may do it with less scandal to Christ’s Church.[19] “When parents refuse their children convenient marriages, the Magistrates shall determine the point. “The selectmen, on finding children ignorant, may take them away from their parents, and put them into better hands, at the expence of their parents. “Fornication shall be punished by compelling marriage, or as the Court may think proper. “Adultery shall be punished with death. “A man that strikes his wife shall pay a fine of 10_l._; a woman that strikes her husband shall be punished as the Court directs. “A wife shall be deemed good evidence against her husband. “No man shall court a maid in person, or by letter, without first obtaining consent of her parents: 5_l._ penalty for the first offence; 10_l._ for the second; and, for the third, imprisonment during the pleasure of the Court. “Married persons must live together, or be imprisoned. “Every male shall have his hair cut round according to a cap.”[20]