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that “ no man must waite at table without a trencher in his hand, exceptvppon some good cause, on paine of one penny.”

“ In time past,” says Harrison, “ our pewterers imploied the vse ofpewter onlie upon dishes, pots, and a few other trifles, for seruice here athome, whereas now they can in maner imitate, by infusion, anie forme orfashion of cup, dish, salt, bowle, or goblet, which is made by goldsmiths’craft, though they be neuer so curious, exquisite, and artificially forged.In some places beyond the sea, a garnish of good flat English pewteris esteemed almost so pretious as the like number of vessels that aremade of fine siluer, and in maner no less desired amongst the greatestates, whose workmen are nothing so skilfull in that trade as ours,neither their mettall so good, nor plentie so great, as we have herein England.”

Th is “ furniture of household” was called “ vesselland sold by thegarnish, which contained twelve platters, twelve dishes, and twelvesaucers, either of silver fashion, or with broad or narrow brims. Therewere also garnishes of counterfeit vessel, which Dr. Percy, in his Prefaceto the Northumberland Household-Book, supposes to have been metalgilt, or washed over. The counterfeit vessel was sold at thirty-fiveshillings the garnish. Pewter vessel at six pence, and sometimes eightpence a pound.

At that early period it was customary to let goods on hire. TheEarl of Northumberland engaged in this manner a hundred dozen ofrough pewter vessels for the use of his house, at four pence per dozen forthe year; and in one of the Hengrave Inventories there is an item of the“ hire of ix. garnish of pewter at Christmas .”

Cbtita dishes may be added to those of silver and pewter. “ Venicebanqueting-dishes” are frequently mentioned; and described as being