Presented to my Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs._ In which book by the said Francis Smith then so as aforesaid published, printed and caused to be printed, the same Francis Smith then and there, viz. the day and year before mentioned, at the parish and ward aforesaid, mischievously, unlawfully, wickedly, maliciously, scandalously, and seditiously printed, made known openly, and published, mischievously, malicious, scandalous, and seditious sentences, in these English words following, viz.:-- _Reader_, _As by this Act you may observe, that our Predecessors taking notice, that the extravagancies of Mayors and Sheriffs caused (as they say) almost all good citizens to flie and refuse the service; so to prevent that mischief in the future, they limited them in their living to the method directed by this Act. And if when little was spent besides the growth of our own Country, Beer and Ale being then their drink, they thought it their wisdom to set bounds to Luxurious Profuseness, there is much more reason for it now, when Debauchery is come to that height, that the fifth part of the charge of a Shrievalty is in Wine, the growth of another Country. And when Feasts, hardly heard of in former times, are risen to that Excess, as would be scandalous to mention, as those called the Chequer and Spittle Feasts; the first costing in Wine betwixt Seventy and Eighty Pounds; and the latter, after the pretended Service of God in hearing a Sermon, costs above Three Hundred Pounds to each Sheriff. And though much after this rate is the rest of the year spent, yet when the Example of this Act is urged for laying aside these sinful Feasts, and reducing the rest unto this Pattern, which is a wholsom Law; some who should see to the putting it in execution, will not hear of it; and possibly, because they would have others be as profuse as themselves have been, though there are these Reasons for a Reformation herein._ And these mischievous, malicious, and seditious sentences, in these English words following, viz.:-- _Because nothing can tend more to the Advancement of any City or Country than the having wise and good Magistrates; and that so long as the great expence of Shrievalties continue, the City must (as this Act suggests) have an Eye to Wealth, more than Parts or Vertue, in the choice of their Sheriffs; and that such as their Sheriffs are, such will the Court of Aldermen be: and therefore as necessary for the good Government of this great City, the charge of Shrievalties ought to be reduced to such an Order and Method, as may be an Encouragement to Men of more Honesty than Riches to serve the Place._ And these mischievous, malicious, scandalous, and seditious sentences, in these English words following, viz.