The plate of this reign was heavy and cumbrous, and of very little artistic merit. It was greatly in use, and was an outward and visible sign of its owner's wealth. To such an extent did its use obtain, that taverns were ordered not to have silver tankards, the temptation to steal them being so great. [Illustration: Costume of a Lady.] Ladies occasionally wore chatelaines in the street, and lost them, whilst they seem only to have worn their watches for the sake of losing their outer case, judging by the numbers of advertisements. Being worn outside, there was nothing easier to steal. Not the whole watch; oh no! but gently to press the spring, and the gold case was in the thief's possession, with next door to no risk. They were absolutely asking to be stolen. Even the little children must needs be decked out with watches and chains. 'Whereas a Gold Watch, with a Gold Chain with 6 lockets, one of them with a Cypher L. T. set with Pearl and Green Stones, was lost from a Childe 11 years old.' 'Stop't, a Child's Gold Chain suppos'd to be stolen.' 'Cut off from a Child's neck yesterday, a Gold Chain, four times about her Neck.' 'Taken from a Child, a Gold Chain with this Motto, _Memento Mori_.' 'Lost from a Child's side, a Silver Scissor Case, Open Work, with Scissors in them; to it a Chain and flat Hook gilt with Gold.' CHAPTER XV. FOOD. (SOLID.) English fare -- Time of dining -- Pontack's -- Other ordinaries -- Books on Cookery -- Receipts -- Pudding -- Fish -- Oysters -- Poultry -- Assize of bread -- Markets -- Vegetables -- Lambeth gardeners -- Fruit -- Dried fruit.