_Firstly._—He had freed the streets of a swarm of loose and idle vagrants, providing for the relief of such as were not able to get their living, and keeping them at work in Bridewell, not punishing any for begging, but setting them on work, which was worse than death to them. _Secondly._—He had informed himself, by means of spies, of many lewd houses, and had gone himself disguised to divers of them, and finding these nurseries of villany, had punished them according to their deserts, some by carting and whipping, and many by banishment. _Thirdly._—Finding the gaol pestered with prisoners, and their bane to take root and beginning at ale-houses, and much mischief to be there plotted, with great waste of corn in brewing heady strong beer, many consuming all their time and sucking that sweet poison, he had taken an exact survey of all victualling-houses and ale-houses, which were above a thousand, and above 300 barrels of strong beer in some houses, the whole quantity of beer in victualling-houses amounting to above 40,000 barrels; he had thought it high time to abridge their number and limit them by bonds as to the quantity of beer they should use, and as to what orders they should observe, whereby the price of corn and malt had greatly fallen. _Fourthly._—The Bakers and Brewers had been drawn within bounds, so that, if the course continued, men might have what they paid for, viz. weight and measure. He had also endeavoured to keep the Sabbath day holy, for which he had been much maligned. _Fifthly._—If what he had done were well taken, he would proceed further, viz. to deal with thieving brokers or broggers, who were the receivers of all stolen goods. And lastly, the inmates of infected houses would require before summer to be discharged of all superfluities for avoiding infection, etc. [Illustration: A FACSIMILE OF THE ORDER FOR THE BURNING OF THE BOOK OF SPORTS E. Gardner’s Collection.] {Transcription: _Die Veneris 5^o. Maij. 1643._ It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That the Booke concerning the enjoyning and tollerating of Sports upon the Lords day, be forthwith Burned by the hand of the Common Hangman in _Cheape-side_, and other usuall places: And to this purpose, the Sheriffs of _London_ and _Middlesex_ respectively, are hereby required to be Assistant to the effectuall Execution of this Order, and see the said Books burnt accordingly. And all persons who have any of the said Books in their hands, are hereby required forthwith to deliver them to one of the Sheriffes of _London_, to be burnt according to this Order. _John Browne Cler. Parl._ _Henry Elsynge Cler. P. D. Com._ * * * * *