CHAP. 1. Of the definition of an Honorable eſtate, and of the Officers and Miniſters belonging to the ſame in generall.

FOr that, according to the precept of the graue and learned Romane Orator Cicero, the inſtitution of all things whereof any diſcourſe is to be made, or cōtinued, ought to take his beginning at Definition: it ſhal not be amiſſe, but very neceſſary, firſt to define what this Honorable eſtate or Reuennue wherof we purpoſe to entreat is, and then orderly to proceede to the particular precepts and obſeruations to be handled in the ordering of the ſame.

As touching the definition therfore: I call that an honorable eſtate or Reuennue, where any Lord or owner thereof is by the bleſſing and prouidence of God, either by inheritance, guift, purchaſe, or otherwiſe, endowed with Honors, Mannors, Lordſhips, Houſes, Lands, Tenements, and ſuch like poſſeſſions as haue belonging vnto them Royalties, ſeruices, franchizes, liberties, and other priuiledges, and immunities, not incident to common eſtates, and tenures. For although that honorable titles (in reſpect of mens perſons) doe properly belong vnto none but ſuch who by diſcent, office, place, the Princes free guift, or ſuch like, may iuſtly challenge the ſame, yet euen men of meaner ranke may be ſeized of ſuch honorable eſtates. And for as much as diuers Lords and owners of ſuch eſtates now a dayes (whether through negligence, ignorance, feare of too much expence, or the like, I know not) for want of skilfull, diſcreet and faithfull Officers and Miniſters to that purpoſe, doe not only daily loſe diuers of their Royalties, ſeruices, cuſtomes, and caſuall profits, to the ſpoyling & diſmembring of their Mannors, but alſo ſuffer many encrochments, concealements, and other nuſances, to be oftentimes made and committed againſt them to their great, and ſomtimes irrecouerable preiudice: which contrariwiſe by the care and prouidence of skilfull, diſcreete, and honeſt Officers would quickly be found out and preuented: My purpoſe is therefore heere to deſcribe ſuch an order in the mannaging, diſpoſing and gouerning of ſuch eſtates, as whoſoeuer ſhall be pleaſed (after mature conſideration) but to obſerue the ſame, I doubt not but he ſhall finde great profit and contentment therin, and the courſe nothing ſo chargable to be maintained as many men may imagine, being that the ſurpluſſage of of the profits ariſing by the well managing of ſuch an eſtate, ſhall yearely amount vnto a greater matter then the ſurpluſſage of the charge which otherwiſe it would come vnto.

To proceed therfore, I ſay, that to the well managing of an Honorable eſtate, there is required Officers and Miniſters skilfull, diſcreete, faithfull, and honeſt. And now we are to enquire what and how many they be; what is each mans particular duty, and how to make choiſe of them.

Officers of Reuennue belonging to the well mannaging and gouernment of an Honorable eſtate, may generally be diuided into Officers of order, and Officers of charge.

Officers of order are the Auditor, Surueyor, learned Steward, & Solicitor, which I ſo terme, aſwell for that they ſerue to direct the whole buſines of the Officers of charge, by enforming each man of the particular duties belonging to his place, and by ſeeing that the ſame be duly performed: as alſo, for that they themſelues (in reſpect of their proper offices) are not chargeable with the receipt of any profits, nor accomptable for the ſame.

Officers of charge are all ſuch which haue ſome charge or other impoſed vpon them, as the receiuing and disburſing of the Lord his monies, the collecting of his rents, fines, and caſuall profits, the ouerſeeing of his Demeſnes, cattell, and husbandry, the cuſtodie and ſale of his woods, the prouiſion of his houſe, or any other ſuch imployment for which they ſtand accomptable. And theſe Officers are twofold, viz. of Receipt and of Expence.

Officers of Receipt are the Receiuers generall and particular, the Storer, Woodward, Bayliffs, Collectors, and ſuch other Miniſters, which haue the charge and receipt of the Lord his Rents and other profits of his Reuennue: and theſe are all accomptable to the Auditor for the ſame.

Officers of Expence are the Steward of the houſe, and vnder him all other Officers of the houſhold, which haue any charge impoſed vpon them, whereof they ſtand accomptable to him, as the Gentleman of the horſe, Clerke of the Kitchin, Baker, Brewer, Butler, and ſuch like, all which for breuities ſake I omit, purpoſing in this diſcourſe to entreate of none but ſuch as are chiefly neceſſary for the managing of Land-Reuennue, and which haue ſome charge impoſed vpon them for which they ſtand accomptable to the Auditor.

And now that we haue ſufficiently expreſſed what Officers are of neceſſity requiſit to the well ordring & mannaging of an honorable eſtate, we will according to our former propoūded method, ſet downe the particular dutie of each ſeuerall Officer as they fall out in order and dependance, reſeruing the Auditor for the laſt place, becauſe in his office, as in a maine ſtreame or Riuer, the effects of all the other, as the branches therof, doe concurre and are made manifeſt.

CHAP. 2. Of the Office, dutie, & choyſe of a Surueyor.

THe Surueyor is an Officer of order, & one of the principall in an honorable Reuennue; whoſe Office is to view and ſuruey all and ſingular the Honors, Mannors, Lordſhips, lands and Tenements of his Lord, and to ſearch out all the profits, Royalties, priuiledges, and cuſtomes thereunto belonging, expreſſing the ſame orderly in his Bookes of Suruey; and alſo to ſet downe and diſtinguiſh in his ſaid Bookes, the particular lands of euery Tenant within each Mannor, truly butting & bounding each ſeuerall parcell thereof, and expreſſing the auncient names of the ſame, the qualitie, quantitie, and yearely value of each mans Tenement, the tenure by which he holdeth, and the Rents and ſeruices yearly due and payable therefore, with the Feaſts and dayes of payment, entering each tenure orderly and ſeuerally by it ſelfe.

To take notice of ſuch encrochments concealements, purpreſtures, and ſuch like, as he ſhall meete withall in his view and perambulation, and to certifie the Lord or his Commiſſioners therof, that the ſame may be reformed, or preſented to the Iurie at the next Court, and arented to the Lord his profit, as alſo to enquire of Rents decayed, and to doe his beſt endeauour to reuiue the ſame.

To make good & formall Terrars or Rent-rolls out of his Bookes of Suruey, expreſſing therein orderly all rents, ſeruices, and certaine profits, within each Mannor, and the times that they are due, payable, and to be performed; and to deliuer the ſame to the Bayliffs wherby they may gather vp and collect the ſaid profits, and alſo ſee the ſeruices duly performed to the Lord his vſe.

To make out Suite-rolls contayning all the Tenants names that owe ſuite of Court to the Lord his Mannors, expreſſing therein each ſeuerall tenure by it ſelfe, and what ſeruices and cuſtomes each Tenant holdeth by, as fealtie, homage, reliefe, &c. and to deliuer the ſame to the ſeuerall Stewards that they may thereby call the Tenants at the Lord his Courts, and be directed what to doe vpon euery change, as death, alienation, ſurrender, and ſuch like.

And for the better performance of all theſe duties, and whatſoeuer els is fitting to be required at the hands of this Officer, he ought to be ſufficiently skilfull in all the parts of Suruey, viz. the Mathematicall, Legall, and Iudiciall, which ſufficiencie to obtaine, he muſt be endued with theſe ſeuerall guifts or qualities following.

Firſt, he ought to haue the perfect vſe of ſome Mathematicall Inſtrument, as the plaine Table, Theodelite, Circumferentor, or ſuch like, fitting for the vſe of Suruey; and alſo to be well ſeene in Arithmetick and the grounds of Geometrie: whereby he may be able aſwell to finde the errors which he may commit in platting of grounds, or caſting vp the contents, and amend the ſame, as alſo to proue the truth of his worke and to giue a reaſon thereof.

Secondly, he ought to haue ſome • eaſonable knowledge in the common Lawes, eſpecially in ſuch generall points as are incident vnto, and doe moſt concerne a Mannor or Lordſhip: whereby he may be able to know and diſtinguiſh the ſeuerall tenures, rents, ſeruices, Royalties, and ſuch like principall matters required in a Suruey: and to expreſſe the ſame orderly in his Bookes, Terrars, Rent-rolls, &c.

Thirdly, he ought to be a reaſonable good Clerke, and to haue good skill in euidences of all ſorts, aſwell ancient as moderne; to be able to reade and vnderſtand the ſame, whether they be in latine, French, Engliſh, or any other language heeretofore vſed in this land.

Fourthly, he ought to haue good skill in the goodneſſe of grounds, and in the valuation of the profits & commodities growing and ariſing out of the ſame, as Timber, vnderwoods, Mynes, Quarries, &c. as alſo in the valuation of lands or caſual profits, to be leaſed, ſold, purchaſed, or exchanged, either preſent or in reuerſion, either in fee-ſimple, fee-Farme, vpon liues, or terme of yeares, &c.

And now that we haue ſufficiently declared the office of a Surueyor, and how to make choyſe of him by the qualities he ought to be endued withall; we will proceede a little further, to ſhew the benefits and commodities that may and doe ariſe by this Officer executing his place honeſtly & well: which although for the moſt part, they doe clearely ſhine and are manifeſt in that which we haue before ſpoken, yet becauſe this Officer of all others belonging to Reuennue, is hardly thought of, and moſt calumniated by ſuch as either vnderſtand not what vſe to make of him, or rather ſuch whoſe cloſe packing and ſecret iniuries are by him in danger to be laid open; it ſhall not be amiſſe to explaine the profit of his facultie a little better. Wherfore I haue heere laid downe the principall commodities of a good and abſolute Suruey, (ſo farre as at this preſent my memorie will ſerue me) in theſe ſix Articles following, viz.

Inprimis, it is a good meanes to conſerue the Rents and Cuſtomes of all natures from being concealed, left, or decayed: or their natures by euill diſpoſed 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 Tenants or Officers any way altered or changed.

2 Item, to let, hinder, and auoyde encrochments that might be made betweene Lord and Lord, Lord and Tenant, and Tenant and Tenant: or being formerly made, to lay open and diſcouer the ſame: as alſo in times to come to decide controuerſies that may happen in this and diuers other caſes.

3 Item, in letting and ſetting of lands, in fineing of Coppy-holders, in ſale and exchange, a perfect Suruey is able to enforme the qualitie, quantitie, value, tenure, and ſcituation, aſwell and better then any other view that can be taken beſides. And by perfect Surueyes ſo taken, the Lord or his Commiſſioners ſitting quietly at home, may not only themſelues aſſeſſe fines vpon the leaſes, & cuſtomary eſtates, but alſo continually ſee both how themſelues and their Tenants be dealt withall by their Stewards or other Officers put in truſt for the like matters.

4 Item, to reuiue decayed Rents, Royalties, &c. and to bring to light Concealements, forfeitures, and other ſuch like treſpaſſes and iniuries.

5 Item, a good Suruey is beneficiall to the Lord and his poſteritie, being as good euidence in lawe for any matter in controuerſie, as any other written Inſtrument whatſoeuer of like antiquitie.

6 Item, the Plat well made is excellent to explane Euidences concerning the butting, bounding, and poſition, of any parcell that ſhall happen to be in controuerſie, eſpecially where the ſame controuerſie, or ſome principle therof, dependeth vpon the poſition; which cannot well be conceiued by euidences. And thus much may ſuffice for the Office and dutie of a Surueyor.

CHAP. 3. Of the learned Steward.

THe learned Steward is alſo an Officer of order, and as needfull in an honorable eſtate or Reuennue as any other whatſoeuer, by whoſe care and diligence chiefely the ancient rights, priuiledges and cuſtomes of euery particular Mannor, Lordſhip, Bayliwicke, or Libertie, are to be preſerued and kept, and the caſuall profits of the ſame yearely ſought out and manifeſted.

He is by vertue of his Office, to keep duly the Leets and Courts within euery of the Lord his Mannors, at the times and places accuſtomed, aſwell for the good gouernment of the Lord his Tenants in their due obedience towards him, as in the adminiſtration of equitie and iuſtice among themſelues, by inquiring of all manner of offences, iniuries and treſpaſſes, that are enquirable or puniſhable in the ſaid Courts; and ſuch as are there to be reformed by paines, amerciaments, or ſuch like; to impoſe the ſame according to lawe and equitie.

He is alſo to enquire of, enter, and eſtreate out vnto the Bayliffe, all manner of caſuall profits happening and growing due to the Lord of the Mannor by any forfeiture, concealement, eſcheate, ward, marriage, reliefe, herriot, waiue, eſtray, fellons and outlawes goods, new erections, purpreſtures, encrochments, Licences of all ſorts, as for digging clay, Chalke, Marle, &c. for the paſſage of ſome water-courſe, for letting and ſetting of cuſtomary lands for longer terme then the cuſtome will beare, &c. as alſo by the common fine, head-ſiluer, green-hewe, or any other ſuch profit enquirable in the Court.

To aſſeſſe and extract out reaſonably, and according to the cuſtome of the Mannor, the Fines of the cuſtomarie Tenants, vpon euery new admittance; by Surrender, death, or expiration of terme, and to enter orderly vpon the Roll all the ſeuerall Tenements, Cottages, and parcels of land contayned in euery ſuch admittance, with the ancient names, butts, and bounds of the ſame, and the yearely Rents and ſeruices due therefore: that ſo the diuers alterations which may happen by parcelling of lands and Tenements, may at all times plainely and euidently appeare without confuſion, which is a matter of great moment and neceſſitie, though little regarded by moſt Stewards now a dayes, who for haſt, to cut their buſineſſe the ſhorter to their owne gaine, for the moſt part, neuer butt and bound the parcels granted, nor many times ſo much as name the ſame, or mention the Rents: whereupon it commeth to paſſe that in few yeares, not onely the Tenements & lands are ſo mangled and diſmembred, as by the ancient Surueyes, Euidences, and Records, the ſame cannot poſſibly be ſet out vpon any occaſion offered: but alſo the cuſtomary is conuerted to free, and the Rents, Seruices, and caſuall profits thereof quite loſt and obſcured from the Lord, beſides the infinite troubles and ſuites that oft▪times ariſe thereof betweene the Tenants.

To make out his Extracts of Court bipartite in Parchment indented, deliuering the one part thereof, within one moneth next after euery Court to the Bayliffe, for him to collect the ſame, & to ſend the other part to the Auditor at the time of the Audite, that ſo the Bayliffe may be duly charged therewith vpon his accompt: and alſo within the compaſſe of the yeare following, to engroſſe the the Court-Rolls, to remaine in the place accuſtomed, for the vſe and ſeruice of the Lord and his Tenants.

Now concerning the guifts and qualities wherewith this Officer is to be endued for the better execution of his place, and by which he is to be made choiſe of for his ſufficiencie therein (honeſtie and diſcretion firſt and chiefly, aſwell in him as in all other Officers of Reuennue, being reſpected) he ought to haue good knowledge and experience in the common lawes of this land, thereby to be able readily to know and diſtinguiſh of the authorities, priuiledges and iuriſdictions of ſuch Courts as are incident and belonging to any Mannor, Libertie, or Franchiſe, whether the ſame be Court-Leete, Court-Baron, Court of ancient Demeſne, Court of Pypowders, or the like; and to iudge and determine of the ſeuerall matters, actions, and caſes, which may happen, and are properly enquireable or determinable in euery of them. And to this end, it is good to make choiſe of ſuch a man as hath beene brought vp at ſome of the Innes of Court or Chauncerie, or hath practiſed as a Solicitor, Atorney or Councellor at lawe, whereby he hath gained good experience.

He muſt alſo be a good Orator, to be able orderly, diſtinctly, and ſufficiently to deliuer a good and ſubſtantial charge to the Iurors, of ſuch matters as are to be enquired of and preſented before him, and to expound the lawe to them in caſes needfull.

He ought moreouer, to be a good Clerke, to be able thereby to make good Court-Rolls, and to enter orderly in the ſame all matters preſented before him, as Eſſoynes, defaults of apparences both of free and cuſtomarie Tenants, deaths, alienations and deuiſes of freehold-lands, which are things very neceſſarie to be enquired of in a Court-Baron; (though for the moſt part now adayes neglected) for that when any Free-holder alieneth any parcell of his Freehold-land to a ſtranger, or by his will deuiſeth the ſame to diuers perſons, there the Lord hath an encreaſe of his Free Tenants, and of their ſeruices, Wards, Reliefes, & ſuch like; which are oftentimes quite loſt for want of ſuch preſentments: as alſo deaths, alienations, and ſurrenders of Cuſtomarie Tenants, with Encrochments, Purpreſtures, Waiues, Eſtrayes, Reſcous, Pleas of Court, Actions, Treſpaſſes, and all other caſualties and profits preſented.

CHAP. 4. Of the Office and dutie of a Solicitor, and how to make choiſe of him.

THe Solicitor is likewiſe an Officer of Order, whoſe Office chiefly (in matters of Reuennue, which onely in this place we purpoſe to entreate of) is to ſee that ſuch Priuiledges, Cuſtomes, Rents, Seruices, Debts, and profits to the Lord, which are to be reuiued, reeſtabliſhed, or recouered by courſe of Lawe, and of which he ſhall be enformed by the Surueyor, Auditor, Steward, or other Officer of authoritie, be duly and with beſt conuenience put in ſuite, and diligently and carefully followed to the beſt aduantage of the Lord.

To ſee that ſuch Patents, Charters, Graunts, Feoffments, Deedes, Leaſes, & other Euidences, wherby any Lands, Annuities, or other profits of Reuennue, are to be aſſured to the Lord, or wherby any ancient Priuiledges, Cuſtomes, Seruices, or ſuch like, are to be reuiued and eſtabliſhed, be formally drawne and peruſed by skilfull Councell, to the intent the ſame may be good and effectuall in Law, to all ſuch intents and purpoſes as they ought to be made.

Theſe are the principall matters concerning Reuennue, which the Solicitor hath to looke vnto, and to be able to performe the ſame, he ought to be ſuch a one as hath beene trained vp to the profeſſion vnder ſome Councellor, Attorney, or other Officer belonging to the Lawes, or elſe ſome one which by following of diuers cauſes hath gained good experience, how to order his Affaires in euery ſeuerall Court both Eccleſiaſticall and Temporall.

He ought alſo to be a good Clerke, and to be able to reade and vnderſtand all ſorts of ancient Euidences, whereby he may the better declare vnto Counſell the effect of his cauſes, and alſo be able to make out Breuiates of ſuch caſes as are in controuerſie, aſwell for the better information and memorie of Counſell, as for helpe of the Iudges at the times of hearing.

And laſtly, he ought to be conuerſant and well acquainted in all the Offices, where the Records of euery Court are kept, whereby to know where to ſearch for ſuch Records as ſhall be needfull in euery cauſe, and to know the Fees of euery Officer and Miniſter in each Court vpon euery occaſion and buſineſſe that may happen, and thus much of theſe Officers of Order.

CHAP. 5. Of the Office of the Bayliffe, Collector, &c.

THe Bayliffe is an Officer of Charge, belonging to ſome Mannor, Lordſhip, Franchize, or Libertie, whoſe Office principally is to collect and gather vp yearely at the Feaſts and times of Payment due and accuſtomed, aſwell the Rents of the Freeholders, Coppyholders, Feefarmers, Leaſeholders, and Tenants at Will; as alſo the Fines, Amerciaments, paines and profits of Courts, Waiues, Eſtrayes, Fellons goods, Herriots, Reliefes, and all other caſuall profits happening within his Charge, and yearely at the Audit to accompt for the ſame.

To take Diſtreſſes, to make Seizures and Re-entries to the Lords vſe, for nonpayment of Rent, or vpon other occaſions when he ſhall be thereunto required by the Auditor, Steward, or other Officer of Authoritie.

To ſummon the Lords Tenants that owe Suite and Seruice to his Courts, to appeare and giue their attendance at the ſaid Courts, whenſoeuer they ſhall be appointed to be held, and to ſerue all manner of Precepts, Warrants, and Proceſſe graunted by the Steward in the Courts of the Mannor, or by the Auditor on the behalfe of the Lord.

And note, that in ſome Mannors the Office of the Bayliffe, as it is heere generally ſet downe, is executed by two or three particular Officers beſides the Bayliffe, according to the cuſtome of the ſaid Mannor. For in ſome places there is one Officer which doth only collect the Rents of Aſſize of the Free and Cuſtomarie Tenants and no more, yearely making his Accompt to the Auditor for the ſame; and this Officer is in ſome places called a Reeue, and in ſome places a Graue, being alwayes one of the Cuſtomarie Tenants of the Mannor, an Annuall Officer changing euery yeare, and bound to performe the Seruice by the tenure of his Land.

Another ſerueth to collect the caſuall profits yearely happening, as Fines, Amerciaments, Herriots, &c. who alſo is alwayes a Tenant of the Mannor, yearely choſen at the Court-Leete, or Court-Baron, according to the Cuſtome of the Mannor.

Theſe Officers ought to be honeſt and truſtie, of good diſcretion, abilitie, and conuerſation; and it is fitting that the Bayliffe (whether he be an Officer for life, or during pleaſure) ſhould put in good ſureties for anſwering the Lord his Rents and profits: for the other there needes no ſuch matter, for if they be delinquent it is a Forfeiture of their Cuſtomarie eſtates, which is Securitie good enough.

As concerning other qualities, it were fitting they ſhould be able to write and reade, whereby to make perfect Notes and Bills to the Auditor of the particulars of their Accompts, that ſo they may be the leſſe troubleſome to him in his Audits: and for all other matters they are to take direction, as occaſion ſhall ſerue, from the Steward, Auditor, Surueyor, or other Officer of Authoritie.

CHAP. 6. Of the Office and dutie of the Woodward.

THe Wood-ward is alſo an Officer of Charge, vnto whoſe care and truſt, the cuſtodie of the Lords Woods, and Receipt of the profits ariſing out of the ſame, are chiefly committed.

He is therefore carefully to looke to the preſeruation of the Lords Woods, and vnder-Woods within his charge, & to the well Fencing of ſuch of them as are incloſed, that the ſame be not ſpoyled or waſted, by breaking or putting in of hurtfull Cattell too ſoone after euerie fall, before the young ſtuffe be growne paſt danger, or by cutting and hewing thereof at all times by lewd and diſordered people, which if they be not carefully looked vnto, are wont to ſteale Rods, Poles, Fewell, and ſuch like, out of mens grounds, and eſpecially the Lords Woods, vpon the waſts and elſewhere.

To ſee that the Woodfalls be made at ſeaſonable times, for the more ſpeedy renuing and growing againe to the beſt aduantage of the Lord, and at euery felling, to haue ſpeciall care of the ſhredding and cutting of Tymber Trees, that in doing the ſame the bodyes be not ſpoyled and made to die, rot, or corrupt, by the euill and vnſeaſonable cutting of the Branches.

To make Sale of the Tymber and vnderwood at ſuch times as are fitting, and when they ſhall be thereunto required, with good diſcretion, and to the Lords beſt aduantage, and to accompt yearely to the Auditor, not only for the felled Tymber and Vnderwood, but alſo for the tops of the Tymber Trees, for the blowne Wood, and for the Herbage, Agiſtament, Pannage, and all other profits made of the Lords Woods, and of the Soile of them.

To ſee that ſuch Leaſees as doe hold any of the Lords Woods for tearme of yeares, doe not ſell or cut downe the ſame, but at ſeaſonable and conuenient times, neither that they cut downe and take away any more then is contayned in their Leaſes, and to ſee that they look to the Fencing and preſeruation of the young Spring after each fall, and doe in all things according as by their Couenants they are bound to doe.

To execute with good diſcretion, and to the Lords beſt aduantage, ſuch Warrants as ſhall come vnto him from the Lord or his Commiſſioners, for Tymber for the repayring of Houſes, Bridges, Parke-pales, or ſuch like: and finally, to be carefull in the due execution of his place, in all other things that may concerne the ſame.

Now to be able to performe all theſe duties, he ought to haue good skill and iudgement in all theſe kindes of Commodities, the want whereof is often the cauſe that ſome of them ſell ſuch good penyworths, as doe much enrich the buyer, and aſmuch endamage the Lord: He muſt therfore be able to giue a neere eſtimate in ſtanding Woods, what numof Cord wood, Billet, Fagots, and Bauens, one Acre with another doth containe; and likewiſe for Tumber-trees, to know what quantitie both of Tymber and Fewell each Tree will make, that ſo he may apprize the ſame accordingly, otherwiſe he may often be ouer-reached by a cunning Buyer.

And for the better performance of his Office, it were very fitting that he ſhould haue very good knowledge in meaſuring of Tymber, both round and ſtanding, as alſo felled and ſquared; and aboue all, that he be very honeſt and conſcionable, to accompt truly for the profits of his place: And thus much may ſuffice concerning this Officer.

I might in this place bring in the Offices of Warreners, Clerkes of Iron-workes, Lead-workes, Coale-mynes, Quarries, and ſuch other profits of Reuennue accomptable to the Auditor; which I purpoſely omit, as well for breuities ſake, as alſo for that nothing is or can be required either in the orderly performance of their places, or in the choiſe of them (skilfulnes only in the Commoditie they are to deale withall excepted) more then Mutatis mutandis, hath beene ſhewed in the reſt.

CHAP. 7. Of the Office and dutie of the Storer.

THe Storer is an Officer accomptable to the Auditor, who hath in Charge all ſuch Demeſnes of Paſture, Medow, Arrable, and other Lands, as are peculiarly in the Lords owne Occupation, with the Stocke thereupon employed: and his Office principally is to ſhew the profits that are made of the ſame, as of Corne, Cattell, Fell-wooll, and ſuch other Commodities: which Officer in meane mens eſtates is termed the Bayliffe of the Husbandry.

This Officer is to ouerſee the Huſbandmen, that they doe their duties in the Manuring and Tilling of the Lords grounds, at fit and conuenient ſeaſons; to prouide of the beſt Corne for ſeede, and to ſee the ſame carefully and profitably beſtowed, in ſuch grounds as are fitteſt therefore; to looke to the preſeruation of the Carts, Waines, Ploughs, and all ſuch other Inſtruments and Implements of Husbandry, and to ſee the ſame repayred when they are out of order; to ſee that the Husbandmen haue care, in the feeding and dreſſing of their Teemes & working Cattell, & to looke to the repayring and amending of the fences, hedges, & ditches of the grounds in his charge, and all ſuch other matters belonging to Husbandrie.

To ſee the Hay and Corne of all ſorts, renuing, growing, and encreaſing vpon the Lords grounds, carefully and ſeaſonably Inned: and after, at conuenient times Threſhed out, ſold and deliuered to the Lord his vſe, and to keepe true reckoning of the ſame from time to time, vntill he haue perfected his Accompt before the Auditor.

To ſee that the Heards, Shepheards, and ſuch other Hindes, as haue the cuſtodie of the Lords Cattell and flockes, do their true endeauours and duties in the feeding, curing, and preſeruation of the ſame, and to keepe true Accompt of them from time to time, aſwell of what commeth into the Stocke, as Cattell bred, bought, and receiued, (viz. Herriots, Waiues, Eſtrayes, Felons goods, Preſents, and ſuch like) as of what goeth out of the ſame: as Cattell ſold, deliuered to the vſe of the Lords houſe, or otherwiſe by Warrant; Cattell dead, loſt, ſtollen, or ſuch like; entreating the ſame orderly in a Booke, each vnder his proper title, that they may plainely appeare to the Auditor, vpon his Accompt without confuſion.

To ſet downe in his ſaid Booke, the the true rates and priſes of all ſuch Cattell, as ſhall be bought or ſold by him, within the compaſſe or time of his Accompt, with the times and places, when and where the ſame were bought and ſold, and the age and qualitie of the Cattell, as alſo to rate and apprize all ſuch Cattell, as he hath deliuered to the Lords vſe, or by his Commaund, at ſuch rates and prizes, as they were reaſonably worth in the Market at the time of their deliuerie: that ſo the yearely profit of the Lords Demeſnes, and grounds employed with Stocke, may the more plainely appeare vpon euery Accompt.

This Officer, as concerning his qualities, ought to haue good skill in all manner of Husbandry, and in Cattell, Corne, and Grayne of all ſorts; as alſo, to be perfect in buying and ſelling euery Commoditie belonging to his Charge, and carefull and honeſt in the execution of his place.

CHAP. 8. Of Receiuers, both generall and particular.

THe Receiuers generall & particular, being likewiſe Officers of Charge, differ not much in the manner of execution of their places, neither indeede is there any neede of particular Receiuers but only in great Reuennues, where the Lords lands and profits lye diſperſed in many and farre diſtant places, and Countries: And therefore of them in generall.

They are for the due execution of their Offices, to keepe their Receipts twice in the yeare, at times and places conuenient, and to giue warning and notice to the Bayliffs, Collectors, Farmers, and other Miniſters, to bring in to thoſe places, the Lords Rents, and other profits due at thoſe times.

To receiue and take Charge of the Lords monyes at the Audite and Receipts, & to ſee the ſame ſafely conueyed to ſuch places, where the Lord hath vſe thereof.

To keepe perfect Abſtracts of all the Lords certaine Rents, eſpecially of the Farmers, and Leaſeholders, whereby they may call to ſuch Miniſters as are to pay them in, if they be ſlacke in their payments.

To keepe alſo perfect Notes and Abſtracts of all Rents reſolute, Annuities, Pentions, Stipends, Salaries, Fees, Wages, and other certaine payments, yearely by them payable, and iſſuing out of the Lords lands, by vertue of any Patent, Graunt, or other certaine aſſurance in being, and out of controuerſie; and to make payment of the ſame, at the due and accuſtomed times, taking good and effectuall Acquittances & diſcharges therefore, to the vſe, and on the behalfe of the Lord.

To pay out vnto the Steward of the houſe-hold, and other Officers of expence, as alſo to all Creditors, Tradeſmen, and others, to the Lords vſe, all ſuch ſummes of money as by the Lords Warrant, he ſhall be appointed to deliuer, taking of them ſufficient Acquittances for diſcharge of the ſame, on the Lords behalfe.

To keepe perfect and formall Bookes of all their doings for the Lord; both in Receipts, and Disburſments, and to Accompt for the ſame yearely to the Auditor.

Theſe are the principall things belonging to the Office of Receiuers, both generall and particular, which to performe, there is no great skill or extraordinarie ſufficiencie required, only they ought to be of abilitie, whereby to put in good ſecuritie for the due anſwering of the Lords moneyes, and profits, that ſhall come to their hands: alſo, they muſt be of good diſcretion in the diſpoſing of their buſineſſes and payments, that the Lord be not to ſeeke of his moneyes, when any extraordinarie and ſodaine occaſion ſhall happen: and chiefly of all, they ought to be exceeding honeſt and conſcionable, for that many ſummes of money, both come to their hands and goe out alſo, which the Auditor cannot charge them with, nor giue them allowance of, but vpon their owne voluntarie acknowledgement and confeſſion.

And thus haue we briefly deſcribed the duties of all the moſt neceſſary Officers of Receipt belonging to an Honorable eſtate: and now we will proceede to the Steward of the houſe, being the ſole Officer of expence accomptable to the Auditor, as concerning matter of Reuennue.

CHAP. 9. Of the Office and dutie of the Steward of the Houſhold.

THe Steward of the houſe, is the principall Officer of expence, in the due execution of whoſe place many Oeconomicall precepts concerning the well ordering of an honorable Familie, might be conſidered, which heere according to my former propounded method, I purpoſely omit; and will onely touch ſuch matters as doe moſt depend vpon Reuennue, for which he is charged and accomptable to the Auditor, which are the monyes to him deliuered by the Receiuers, and others, for the expence of the Lords Houſhold, as alſo the Beeues, Muttons, Corne, and graine of all ſorts, Wood, Coales, and all other prouiſions and Commodities receiued from the Storer, Woodward, Bayliffe, Warriner, or other Officer of Charge belonging to Reuennue, all which notwithſtanding they be deliuered to the peculiar Officers of expence, to whoſe place they belong, yet the Steward is to haue the ouerſight of them, and to keepe Accompt both of their Receipt and expence.

He is therfore to ſee to the deliuerie, and apprizing of all ſuch Commodities and prouiſions as are deliuered in, from the Storer, Warriner, or other Officer, for expence of the Lords Houſhold; that the Rates be reaſonable, and according to the Market at the time of their deliuerie.

To call to Accompt weekely, or at the moſt monethly, all the inferior Officers of expence: as the Gentleman of the Horſe, Clerke of the Kitchin, Keeper of the Granarie, Brewer, Baker, Butler, Pantler, and all others which haue any Charge of prouiſion to accompt for, and to ſee that euery of them do execute his place frugally and without waſte.

To keepe faire and orderly Bookes, aſwell of the weekely or monethly Accompts of all the foreſaid Officers, as alſo, of all other his owne Receipts and Disburſments, entering in the ſame each particular, in his due and conuenient place, and vnder his proper title, that all things may appeare without confuſion: & finally, to accompt vnto the Auditor honeſtly and iuſtly at the end of euery yeare.

Now concerning the qualities wherwith this Officer is to be furniſhed, much might be ſaid, if I ſhould enter into Oeconomicall affaires, but to auoide tediouſnes, and to wade no farther then my firſt intent, I ſay, that it is fitting this Officer ſhould be of honeſt life and conuerſation, whereby to ſhew good example to others; of good abilitie & reputation, whereby to curbe and keepe vnder ſtubborne and diſordered ſpirits of inferior place and ranke; and alſo graue, wiſe and diſcreete, whereby to diſpoſe and order the buſineſſe committed to his Charge, and to gouerne the Lords Familie in honorable and laudable faſhion: And thus much may ſuffice concerning this Officer and all other of expence; from whom we will proceed to the Auditor our laſt, yet not leaſt Officer of Order.

CHAP. 10. Of the Office and dutie of the Auditor.

THe Auditor is an Officer of Order, and of all others belonging to Reuennue, one of the principall and moſt neceſſarie; for that by him the doings of all the former, are ouerlooked and examined to the Lords profit: in which reſpect this Officer repreſenteth the Lord his owne perſon, and ought to haue more ſpeciall authoritie conferred vpon him then any of the former.

He is by vertue of his Office yearely to take and examine the particular Accompts of all and ſingular the Officers and Miniſters of Charge aforeſaid (except ſuch as are accomptable to the Steward of the houſe) and to ſee that all manner of profits, wherewith any of them are to be charged, be duly and orderly collected and anſwered.

To enter duely in the Accompts ſo taken, all ſuch materiall changes and alterations as may happen in the Rents, tenures, and Tenants names, either by Eſcheate, new Purchaſe, Sale, determination of eſtate, improuement, decay, or any the like accident, that the ſame may euidently appeare vpon euery occaſion without confuſion.

To ſee that the caſuall expences and Bills of Charges yearely brought in by the Bayliffe, and other Accomptants, to be allowed for Court Dinners, keeping of Strayes, repayring of the Pinfold, & ſuch like, be reaſonable and fitting, and where they are exceſſiue, vnfitting, or vnneceſſary, to diminiſh or diſallow the ſame.

Note, that in great eſtates, this & many other ſuch caſuall matters & expences are left to the conſideration and diſpoſing of the Commiſſioners appoynted for the ordering of the Reuennue, & there the Auditor of himſelfe hath not this power of allowing or diſallowing, but by conſent and approbation of the ſaid Commiſſioners, and by Bill ſigned with their hands.

To make declaration of the ſaid Accompts to the Lord, within ſhort ſpace after the taking of the ſame, and within the compaſſe of the yeare next following, to engroſſe them faire and in good order, to remaine to the Lord and his poſteritie.

To take notice, and keepe true Accompts of all Arrerages of Rents, or other profits that may happen, and to charge the Accomptants with them from yeare to yeare, vntill they may be leuied & anſwered: as alſo, to acquaint the Lord or his Solicitor with ſuch decaied Royalties, priuiledges, and Cuſtomes, as are fitting to be reuiued, or re-eſtabliſhed, and with ſuch arrerages of Rents and Debts as are to be recouered by Lawe, and to ſee that the ſame be put in Suite with the beſt conuenience whiles they are recouerable.

To enroll faire and in a Booke made for the ſame purpoſe, all the Leaſes, Patents, & other Graunts yearely made by the Lord or his Commiſſioners, thereby vpon any occaſion to be able to giue the Lord ſatisfaction, aſwell of the particulars of the thing leaſed or graunted, as of the end and determination of the ſame.

Now this Officer, in reſpect of the qualities he is to be endued withall, for the better and more ſufficient execution of his place, ought firſt and eſpecially, to be honeſt, free from corruption, and carefull in all his dealings.

He muſt be trained vp in the facultie of an Auditor: whereby he may be able orderly to drawe downe out of the Bookes of Suruey, Rent-rols, and other the Lords Euidences, perfect viewes, and Accompts, as well Receiuers as Miniſters, of euery ſeuerall Lordſhip, Mannor, Rectorie, Farme, Bayliwicke, Libertie, and ſuch like, duly diſtinguiſhed the Rents and profits yearely happening, & the repriſes and deductions yearely going out, each vnder his proper title, and in his due place and forme.

He ought alſo to be a good Clerke, to write a faire hand, and to haue the perfect and ready vſe of his Counter, to be of good vnderſtanding, pregnant wit, and good apprehenſion, thereby the better to looke into the doings of ſuch Accomptants, as he ſhall haue to deale withall, and to finde out the ſhifts, tricks, and deceipts, of ſuch as are euill diſpoſed: and finally, he ought to be of good experience and ſufficient practiſe, in all matters concerning his facultie: which he being, and executing his place honeſtly, and with iudgement, the profits that will ariſe to the Lord by this Officer are great, and more then ſodainely can be drawne to memorie: ſome of the principall whereof, notwithſtanding as a taſte of the reſt, I haue heere ſet downe in theſe Articles following.

1 Inprimis, an eſtate well ordered by a skilfull Auditor, giueth great eaſe and comfort to the Lord of the ſame, and helpeth to improue it ſelfe: for that euery ſmall profit is continually in the Lords eye; which in eſtates ill managed, (by men of no skill in Auditorie) are often, and for the moſt part, either quite concealed, or altogether neglected.

2 Item, a skilfull Auditor, in keeping due accompt of arrerages of Rents, amerciaments, fines, and ſuch other profits, is not only the meanes to make the Bayliffs, Collectors, and other Miniſters carefull to omit nothing of their duties, but alſo to keepe diſordred Tenants in the better obedience: for where there is no Auditor at all, or one that is remiſſe and of no skill, many caſuall profits, eſpecially amerciaments are vtterly loſt, by the neglect of Miniſters, and for want of carefull looking vnto, which very thing is a great cauſe of diſorder among the worſt ſort of Tenants, animating them, aſwell to neglect their ſeruices & duties to the Lord, as to cōmit iniuries & treſpaſſes, one againſt another, by hedgbreaking, wood-ſtealing, breaking into Paſtures, and Corne, with their Cattell, and ſuch like: all which, if theſe amerciaments were duly impoſed, leauied, and anſwered, would be more carefully looked vnto and auoyded.

3 Item, an Auditors accompt, is good Euidence to pleade in Court, for the holding or re-obtaining of any Rents, Royalties, Cuſtomes, Seruices, Priuiledges, Franchiſes, or ſuch like, formerly in poſſeſſion, and after loſt by neglect or otherwiſe.

CHAP. 11. The Concluſion, ſhewing the order how to gouerne an honorable eſtate, by the Officers aforeſaid: and in ſmall eſtates, how to contract them to the Lords beſt aduantage,

HAuing before ſufficiently declared the ſeuerall duties of each particular Officer and Miniſter of Reuennue; together with the qualities euery of them ought to be endued withall, for the better and more effectuall performance and execution of their ſeuerall places, and Offices, it reſteth now only to ſhew and ſet downe, a little more plainely, the dependance that one Office hath of another, and thereby the order of gouerning an honorable eſtate by them, and how euery particular profit of Reuennue may be brought in charge, & duly collected, and anſwered to the Lords beſt aduantage: wherein, for our better proceeding, we will comprehend al profits of Land-Reuennue, vnder theſe two generall heads, Certaine & Caſuall.

All Certaine profits of Land-Reuennue are enquirable by the Surueyor, and by him to be certified, and expreſſed in his Bookes of Suruey, as Rents of Free-holders, of cuſtomarie Tenants, of the Demeſnes and Leaſe-lands, of Tenants at will, of herbage, and agiſtament, of Parkes, Woods, Foreſts, &c. of Mills and Mulcture, of Mynes, Quarries, and ſuch like: of all manner of Royalties; as Fiſhing, Fowling, Hawking, Hunting, Free-warren, and ſuch other: Alſo, all manner of mouable Rents, as Hay, and Corne, Egges, Hens, Geeſe, and the like: And laſtly, all Rents of Scruices & cuſtomes, being certaine, as for Licences of all ſorts, common Fine, releaſe of Suite of Court, head-ſiluer, green-hew, and ſuch other. Out of which ſaid Bookes of Suruey, being faire engroſſed & made authenticall by Euidence therein certified, and the Iuries hands therevnto ſubſcribed; a briefe Abſtract, and Suite-Roll, is to be made, and deliuered to the learned Steward, whereby he may not only call the Tenants to doe their Suite and Seruice at the Lords Courts, but alſo be directed by value of the lands how to aſſeſſe Fines vpon Coppyholders, and the like. Then alſo a perfect Rent roll is to be made out, & deliuered vnto the Bayliffe, whereby he may collect, and gather vp the ſaid certaine profits, and accompt for them yearely to the Auditor, as before hath beene ſaid. Laſtly, the Bookes themſelues are to be deliuered vnto the Auditor, that out of them he may drawe downe, and make out the viewes of his Miniſters accompts, and then to redeliuer them to the ſaid Surueyor, to remaine in his cuſtodie for the vſe of the Lord or his Commiſſioners, in letting of Leaſes, and ſuch other occaſions.

The Caſuall profits of Reuennue, are either enquirable by the learned Steward in his Courts, or by the Auditor, at the time of his Audit.

Caſuall profits, enquirable by the Steward, are Herriots, Reliefes, Wards and Mariages, Forfeitures, Waiues, Eſtrayes, Fellons and Outlawes goods, Fines vpon admittances of cuſtomary Tenants, fines vpon Licences, purpreſtures, and new erections; amerciaments, and paines for default of ſuite of Court, mending, ſcowring, and clenſing of Fences, Ditches, and Highwaies, Reſcous, Pound▪breach, and other like treſpaſſes, nuſances, and offences Eſcheats, Pleas, and Proceſſe of Courts, Fraies, bloudſheds, and the like; All theſe the Steward is to extract out, to the ſeuerall Bayliffes or other Miniſters, appointed to collect & leauie the ſame, and to returne the duplicate of the ſaid Extracts to the Auditor, as before hath beene expreſſed. And it is fitting that ſuch of them, as are laid down in Court, the Receiuer or Bayliffe ſhould be preſent, to take them vp to the Lords vſe, & not to commit them to the Stewards charge, leaſt by that meanes he purſe the ſmall ones to his owne profit, and neuer accompt for the ſame, as fines of Licence of Brewing, digging of grauell, ſand, chalke, clay, and ſuch like.

Caſuall profits enquirable, by the Auditor only, are profits of Faires, Markets, and ſuch like; wood-ſales, Agiſtament and Pawnage; profits of the waſtes and Moores, as ſale of Heath, Turfes, Peate, Sand, Grauell, Marle, Chalke, Clay, and all other profits being caſuall, and not elſewhere enquirable: In exacting of which accompts, the Auditor had neede be very circumſpect, and the Collectors, of the ſame very honeſt, for that commonly theſe are buſineſſes committed to the ſole truſt and diſpoſing of one man, both to ſell, and to accompt for the ſame, who if he be not honeſt and conſcionable, may yearly defraude the Lord of a great part thereof; but the Auditor, if he be wiſe and circumſpect, may both finde out the falſhood, and take order to preuent the ſame.

Theſe Rents and profits, both certaine and caſuall, being duly collected by the Officers and Miniſters thereunto appointed, ought at euery halfe years end, (or ſooner if occaſion require) to be paid vnto the Lords Receiuer, who vpon the receipt thereof, ought to giue his Acquittance to the Miniſter which payeth them, as for ſo much by him receiued, of the iſſues and profits of his Office for that yeare: & at the years end the ſaid Miniſter vpon the determination of his accompt, ſhall deliuer vnto the Auditor the ſaid Acquittance, whereby to charge the Receiuer with the monyes receiued, and ſhall for his owne diſcharge, take out a Quietus eſt for that yeares accompt vnder the Auditors hand.

All the Miniſters thus hauing accompted, the Auditot ſhall call the Receiuers, charging them, aſwell by their ſaid Acquittances, as by the viewes, of the Miniſters accompts, their owne confeſſion, and ſuch other notes, as ſhall come to his hands for that yeare; and they for their diſcharge, ſhall produce the Lords Warrants, & the Acquittances of ſuch perſons, to whom they haue paid any money; as alſo the bills of al charges and expences, by them that yeare disburſed, ſigned with the Lord or his Commiſſioners hands: all which, vpon the determination of their accompts, they ſhall alſo leaue with the Auditor, aſwell for his warrantie of their ſaid accompts; as for the more effectuall charging of the Steward of the houſe, and all other perſons, which are to accompt for monyes impreſted by warrant or otherwiſe, accepting likewiſe of a Quietus eſt vnder the Auditors hand for their owne diſcharge. And thus ſhall the ſaid Auditors proceede, from accomptant to accomptant, as they depend one vpon another, vntill he haue finiſhed with them all: which being done, he ſhall make out his Declaration of the whole yeares buſineſſe, as before hath beene ſaid, bipartite indented, and declare the ſame before the Lord or his Commiſſioners, who ſhall ſigne the one part thereof, to remaine with the Auditor for his diſcharge; the other part thereof, the ſaid Auditor and Commiſſioners ſhall ſigne, to remaine to the vſe of the Lord.

But heere me thinkes, I heare ſome obiect, that the ordering of an eſtate after this manner (being it requireth ſo many Officers) will be too chargeable for moſt men, and therefore not to be put in execution, but only by ſuch as haue very great eſtates. To ſuch I thus anſwer.

It is not ſo much the multiplicitie of Officers, that is required in the well managing of an eſtate, as the order and method to be vſed in the placing, and appointing of thoſe Officers: for there is no man of abilitie, but hath, and is at charge with ſo many as ſerueth his turne after his owne manner, which number would alſo (out of doubt) doe it in the forme heeretofore deſcribed, the Auditor only excepted, whoſe place the Lord himſelfe in ſmall eſtates, for the moſt part, executeth (and may well performe the ſame if he haue leaſure, and be skilfull, but that few are, and thereby enſueth the moſt loſſe) therfore to come to the matter, and to ſhew how in ſmall eſtates, with ſeweſt number of Officers, and leaſt expence, an honorable Reuennue may be well ordered, theſe two rules muſt be preciſely obſerued.

Firſt, that none of the Officers of order be wanting (the Surueyor only excepted, who hauing once in the beginning perfected his Surueyes, there is ſmall vſe of him for many yeares after, ſo there be a skilfull Auditor, and a learned Steward) and theſe Officers of order, neede be no great charge to any Lord, for that one man may ſerue to manage diuers Lords eſtates, hauing no further dependance vpon any of them, but only a reaſonable yearely Fee allowed for his paines, which if they be skilfull and honeſt, their diligence ſhall in ſurpluſſage bring in, with aduantage, and eaſe the Lord of much labour and vnquietneſſe. And the more neerely to contract theſe Officers of order, one man may ſupply both the places of learned Steward and Solicitor; and another, being capable thereof, may ſupply the places of Surueyor and Auditor: and of this Officer (the Auditor I meane) I would wiſh no Lord to be deſtitute, for where the Lord himſelfe taketh the accompts of his Officers of charge, except he be very skilfull and painefull alſo, although his eſtate be but ſmall, yet for want of this Officer he may well loſe twice ſo much in the yeare (either by negligence and corruption of Miniſters, or by want of skill to examine their doings) as would fee a good Auditor to doe the ſame: Yet let him alſo be carefull in the choyſe of his Auditor, for many now a dayes take vpon them, both the name and place of Auditors, and yet are very ignorant in the due execution of that Office.

Secondly, it muſt be duly obſerued, that no one man be put to execute Offices of order, and Offices of charge both together, as Auditor and Receiuer, Auditor and Steward of the houſe, learned Steward and Receiuer, Bayliffe, Woodward, or ſuch like: much leſſe that the managing of an eſtate, ſhould wholly, or for the moſt part, be committed to the charge of one particular man: for in both theſe caſes, it may eaſily be perceiued, what great meanes & ſtrong temptations they haue (if they be not of exceeding honeſtie and good conſcience) ſecretly to enrich themſelues, by the loſſe and hinderance of the Lord; or at the beſt, what danger of loſing many profits, by neglect, or for want of skill to preuent the ſame. And yet it is ſeene in moſt mens eſtates of the meaner ranke, that one man hath the gouerning of all, both for order and charge; and he for the moſt part, of no further skill, then to ſet downe confuſedly his receipts, on the one part, and his disburſments on the other, & ſo by comparing them to finde the difference: whereby alſo the Lord hath no other declaration of his doings, but the ſaid confuſed accompt, in which all things for the moſt part come in in groſſe; and the profits of many Mannors, and disburſments of ſundry natures, are ſo mingled together, as they can neither for the preſent, nor in after-times, vpon any occaſion that may happen, be diſtinguiſhed, nor the Lord ſee whether he haue right or wrong.

But to conclude, although it be not fitting, that one man ſhould execute both Offices of order and of charge, nor that the whole ſhould be committed to one particular perſon: yet may theſe Offices of charge alſo in ſmall eſtates be conferred vpon a few perſons; for one man may be generall Receiuer, and Steward of the houſe; another may ſupply the places of Bayliffe, Wood-ward, Storer, and as many other Offices of charge as he is able to execute: and in this manner the Lord is in moſt poſſibilitie to haue all his profits truly anſwered, and narrowly looked vnto; where not only euery ſmall matter is taken notice of, by two or three ſeuerall Officers; but alſo euery Officer of charge, is to giue accompt of the profits he receiueth, and the Officers of order meddle no further, but to charge and diſcharge the moneys by the other receiued, to ſearch out the profits of Reuennue, and to ſee that each Officer of charge, doe execute his place with honeſtie and diligence.

And thus haue I, in the beſt & briefeſt manner I can, deſcribed the well ordering of an honorable Reuennue: wherin, in what I haue failed, I ſubmit my ſelfe to the reformation of the more iudicious: thus much by the way inferring, that I haue not in all points exactly followed the order and courſe obſerued in the managing of the Royall eſtate of our Soueraigne; who beſides Land-Reuennues, hath many other, and great profits, yearely comming in by his Subiects, (not heere ſpoken of) the moſt of which are returnable into his Maieſties Exchequer, where they are handled and ordered, by thoſe great Maiſters of Arte and iudgement in theſe faculties, from whome I acknowledge to haue receiued that little skill and experience which I haue. What here is ſet downe, is drawne from them, and applyed to the vſe of the Subiects in their ſmaller Reuennues, which I leaue to the conſideration of all ſuch, whom it may concerne, and who haue hitherto loſt, by ill ordering of their Eſtates.

FINIS.