The poore orphans court, or Orphans cry. By M.S. Being a wel-wisher for a speedy helpe of their misery, and an eye-witnesse of their present calamitie Sparke, Michael, d. 1653. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A12698 of text S117720 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 23017.7). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 19 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A12698 STC 23017.7 ESTC S117720 99852930 99852930 18285 2240909259

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A12698) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 18285) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 585:15) The poore orphans court, or Orphans cry. By M.S. Being a wel-wisher for a speedy helpe of their misery, and an eye-witnesse of their present calamitie Sparke, Michael, d. 1653. [16] p. : ill. (metal cut) Printed by A[nne] G[riffin] for M[ichael] S[parke] junior, London : 1636. M.S. = Michael Sparke. Printer's and publisher's names from STC. Cf. Folger catalogue, which gives signatures: A-B⁴. Running title reads: The orphans court. Identified as STC 21509 on UMI microfilm. Reproduction of the original in the Folger Shakespeare Library. eng Orphans -- England -- Early works to 1800. Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800. eebo The poore orphans court, or Orphans cry. By M.S. Being a wel-wisher for a speedy helpe of their misery, and an eye-witnesse of their present calamitie Sparke, Michael, 1636 14 3570 3 0 0 0 0 0 8.4 B The rate of 8.4 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2009-12 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-01 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-03 Sampled and proofread 2010-03 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2010-04 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

The Orphans Crye We perish We Dye depiction of beggars As Wee you see So may yours Bee

for the lords sak●

For Gods Sake

For Crist Sake

O Somm Comfort

Pitty me in miserye

O I am Sick

Lay not this Sinn to theyr Charge

Dead in the Street

THE Poore Orphans Court , OR Orphans Cry .

By M. S.

Being a wel-wisher for a speedy helpe of their misery , and an eye-witnesse of their present calamitie .

blazon or coat of arms

LONDON , Printed by A. G. for M. S. junior . 1636.

The Preface .

HE that shal undertake at all times to speake truth in this age ( freely from his heart ) shall be accounted a medling fellow , not worthy to live in any society , but to be sequestred from men . We all know some be in feriour , and those men ought not to be so little respected , as not to be called men , because they have no authority : For there is as well the common Sailer as the Pilot , and hee sees the storme before it comes , and gives notice to the Pilot how to steare his course for their best safegard . So I living this many yeeres , and observing this wel-governed Citty , have seene as in most things something which I thought amisse , and might be rectified , which is the great neglect of the poore of this Cittie . I meddle no further , for by my frequent going in all parts earely and late , I have these many yeeres observed the misery of the poore but most of all of children , young boyes and girles , which for many yeeres I beheld , hoping ever God would open some honest Citizens heart that died rich , that they would doe something to beginne to raise a stocke . And seeing S. Pauls remembred , though not sufffciently , as also Morefields , Aldersgate , Allgate , Newgate , and other good deeds done and performed , yet this neglecte● , I caused a Booke to be printed some 16. yeeres agoe , called , Grievons groanes for the Poore . But I being then in the country the booke ( whether at the Booke sellers or at the Printers I know not ) lost the life , and reason how the poore should be provided for , by which meanes it lost all respect , and I my good intention ; not many yeeres after this , there was a collection for imployment for the poore , but which way that stocke went I have nothing to doe to examine ; Not many yeeres after that , that worthy Sir T. M. his project came forth , which no doubt had it beene seconded , it had taken good effect , for I am perswaded hee aimed at the generall good of all , but this vanished as a shadow ; since which I have observed and finde the last remedy is for the children used in the weekely Bills , Dead in the Street , or starved . And this is all the remedy I finde for these poore silly witlesse creatures . Those that be able to helpe themselves , I speake not for , but for these poore Orphans , whose Court is kept in a Cage , or under a Stall , or in S. Pauls amongst the formes , the more is the pittie . Wee have an Orphans Court well guided and governed ( God be thanked for it ) long may it continue , and what trudging and going is there if the rich die and leave wealth to their children , but the poore die and no Orphans Court can be found . Outinam , thereit is , and not else to be found or seene . But these few lines it may be will be laughed at , I care not though they be ; I give my selfe content , and wish but that may be done here , as is at this present in Dorchester , Norwich , not one seene to begge : let us learne of them or of the Dutch , as in the Vniversity of LEYDEN : where 800. Orphans are daily fed and set at worke , and well provided for , how doe the Dutch or French parishioners in LONDON ; can they doe so , and not wee ? It is nothing but our hard hearts ; for mee thinkes I heare some say , I have but 500. pounds in my estate , I would give one to it , nay I am perswaded there be 500. of this minde in this Citie , but either cowardize , or feare of being accounted a vaine-glorious person makes them desist , nay , mee thinkes I heare some Companies say , We will keepe all our poore and well some may , if all things were looked into ; but these Orphans with good looking to would keepe themselves , witnesse the willingnesse of some , who you shall have of the bigger sort in Fleet-steet in the evenings , with linkes ready to earne a penny to light men , nay , in Smithfield standing by day to sweepe cleane the waies , how ready are many of them ? but the weakest goe to the wall , as wee see by woefull experience , many whose Toes and Legges are ready to rot off , and worser miseries , which make many a man blush to see that they are no better provided for . It may be I am deceived , would I were . I am verily perswaded , that many spend more in the Taverne idlely than they give the poore willingly . Will not many a Lady spend ordinarily day by day five shillings to see an idle play , or five pounds at a Rere Banquet rather tha● give five shillings , I beleeve five tokens , to help these poore miserable children . If they heare of a new Play , on goes all the best clothes , the Coach-horses must be fetched , and that they may hurry from the poore , the Coach-man shall have his charge , to drive away when hee commeth amongst them ; and what s the word ? Away with these Stinking-beggers , but when they come home , they will call to the servants to see the dogge have his dinner , but the poore shall goe supperlesse to bedd under a stall , or in a Porch , dying with misery , or starving with cold , and hunger . These are reasons able to draw a man into a serious consideration for a speedie remedy , and I leave them to those in authority , and rest ever wishing , but not obtaining my desire , that there were a Court for the poore Orphans as well as the rich .

A wel-wisher of the poore . M. S.
The Orphans Court . The poore I thus distinguish into three sorts : 1 Sturdy Rogues and Whores . 2 Blinde and Lame . 3 Aged and Young .

FIrst I beginne with the sturdy Rogue and Whore , and here for these there be * * 23. Eliza. 3 ▪ cap. 7.34 . E , c , 1.7 . R. 2. c. 5.12 . R. 2. c. 7.11 . H. 7. c. 2.19 . H. 7. c. 12.22 . H. 8 , c. 12.27 . H. 8. c. 25. 1 E. 6. c. 3.3 . E. 6. c. 5. E. 6. c. 2.2 . & 3. this and many , c. 5 , 5. El. c. 3. all which are expired or repealed : & 14. El. c. 5.18 . El. c. 3.39 . El. c. 4. & 1. lac. cap. 7 vet in force . many good lawes enacted , but few put in execution ; and for these are appointed Marshals , and Beadels . But when a Marshalls eyes be not in all places , or his men will scarce look to any , then these vermine increase ; and where these are sturdy , that an old creeping Beadel must intreat for feare of knockes , then no Constable being so bold as hee ought , for feare hee be counted a busie fellow , then they get mastery and domineere , and I know no remedy for these but two , the one a labouring prison , or house of correction the other the Gallowes , and there I thinke it fittest to leave them , being people not worth the speaking of .

The second sort I come to , be the blinde and lame , these are suffered to beg , and good reason , * * 18 El. c 3 and the other fore quoted natures inhibit any to beg but there ought to be no begger but if any be priviledged , then well may these , but none may be priviledged , Ergo , therefore it were more fit for the blinde , to be otherwise provided for , and for the lame , those that have lost the use of their hands to be provided for , those that have lost their feet , their hands may be made to supply that defect , by divers kindes of workes : as Net-making , Saile-making , and such like for men . The women may Card and Spin , but that is out of fashion , a baudy Ballade , or an idle Song are these idle peoples greatest paines , where they make many more idle than themselves , and there I leave these idle people , who might be better imployed , if they were better looked unto .

The third sort be those , which of purpose this Tract was written for , these be those that I desire you in office , and in whose power it lies , to looke with their eyes , and pitty with their hearts these poore wretched miserable wretches , those who have neither father nor mother , no , nor any friends , those that want wit , reason , and are not come to understanding , those whose yeeres speake not discretion , nor have wit to helpe themselves , and those be they that make blood drop from my heart , whilest my pen cannot expresse their misery , those of whom Cheapside stalls , and doores , and porches , and S. Bartholmewes benches , with Smith field , and other corners be witnesses , to their griefes whose eyes if they stirre abroad doe not see these poore younglings , lame , lowsie , ragged , and almost starved , whilest each haire of their heads stand staring in the viewers face , as amazed to see so many not once moved with pitty to care for them .

These swarme in Summer at the Brickhils and Play-house doores , which houses are the Nurses of many of these miserable wretches , these being many are cast off by wicked parents , or being placed out to apprentize by the Parish , or put to Masters , are cast off from one to another , so if the Parish never heare of them againe , but be rid of them they are safe ; and if the Nunses get but a piece of money , they are safe , and glad they can so be rid of them ; this might be redressed by the Masters of the Parish , if they would every three moneth have the children brought to a Vestry , to see how they were provided for , but because there is no better provision for them , I could wish there were some course taken , as these few I will propound , viz. The Parish might take such course , as to call all the poore children , and take a view and number of all , and as they come to ability , to set out , as namely , by these , or such like meanes .

Every Ship being of burden 200. Tuns , should employ two or three boyes .

Every Coale-ship trading to London from Newcastle to take one .

Every Parish might raise out of the Parish a stocke so to employ them , untill they grow to some stature , then to be sent to the Plantations , to some carefull Master there , and they to give a true account of the children , how , and in what estate they be with them .

Every ship that goes to Virginia to carry sixe boyes and sixe girles , every one to carry the like to New England , and so to our other plantations , and the Parish to pay their passage , and at their arivall there , hee that takes them into custody or service , give bond to pay the charge of their fraught and costs thither to the Parish here at twelve moneths end backe , which they would doe with thankes , so they might have them but sixe yeeres apprentize ; now some demand , where shall money be raised to send them away ? for that I answer , the money at the Inquest yeerely , may be better so employed then to banquetting , and the great feast money may be better spared this waies than worse spent .

For this many more and better , courses may be taken , which I leave to better judgements , for this I know were there but a Stocke , raised to transport them thither , the Stocke would be kept whole by those that take them to be their servants , by returne of commodities for them , for our Lawes they bee good in this kinde , if they were but well executed : as for example , the 22. of Henry the 8.

22. Hen. 8. c. 12. and 27. H. 8. c. 25. There were acts made for the reliefe of aged and impotent persons unable to worke , and for Collections to be made for such : which acts prescribe severe punishments against vagabonds and sturdy beggars able to worke .

1. Edw. 6. c. 3. There was an Act passed for the punishment of vagabonds , and the reliefe of the poore and impotent persons ; whereby it was enacted that Collections should be made in every Parish , for the impotent poore of that Parish : that those who were aged and lame should be set to such worke as they were able to performe , every Towne , Parish , or village providing such worke for them in common , as they might be occupied in , or appointing them to such as will finde them worke for meate and drinke . And by this Law , it was provided , that all children under yeeres of age , whether Male or Female that wandred abroad by themselves , or with their parents , or others , might be seized upon , and taken away from their parents , by those who would bring them up in some honest labour , or occupation , till they came to twenty yeares if Females , and foure and twenty yeeres of age if Males : And by this Act , the Major of the Citty of London , and all other Majors , Bailiffes , Sheriffes , Constables , and other head Officers of every Cittie and Towne corporate , are enjoyned once every moneth to make a view and examination of all aged , impotent , and lame persons and beggars within the precinct of their jurisdiction , to see those that were lame , and had lyen there above the space of three whole yeeres , sufficiently provided for , and to send all others home to the places where they were borne , &c. upon paine of forfeiting 40. shillings for every default .

See 5. Edw. 6. c. 2. and 3. Phil. and Mar. c. 5.5 . Eliz. c. 3.14 . E. c. 5.18 , El.c. 3.39 . Eliz. c. 4.5 5.43 . Eliz. c. 2.3.4 . There were divers good Lawes enacted for the reliefe of poore , impotent , aged , maimed , and decrepit persons ; and good provisions made for poore Orphans , and children too , which are to be bound , and placed out to husbandry , or some other honest trade and labour ; or to be set on worke upon a common stocke , or be trained up in Hospitalls , till they are fit to be apprentizes , &c. which Lawes , if they were as carefully executed , as they were piously made , no Orphans , nor other neede complaine , I am sure never any should perish in the street for want of looking to , which is onely the fault of Officers , not of the Lawes , which are no way defective , either in inflicting some condigne punishment upon vagrant sturdy beggers , who refuse to worke , or in providing for the reliefe of Orphans , and poore impotent persons who are unable to labour .

1 The Overseers of the poore of every Parish appointed purposely by the Law , to see the impotent , poore , and Orphans duly relieved , ought every weeke to enquire what poore there are in their parishes , and to allot them a competent allowance according to their necessities . 2 These Overseers should weekely enquire how these Orphans and impotent persons , which they place out to others are provided for , and to examine whether they have food sufficient allowed them , and in case they finde them with whom they are placed , negligent in providing for them , or in suffering them to stray abroad , and so to perish , or miscarry , to complaine of them to the Magistrates who have power to inflict such punishments on them , as the quality of their offence demerits . 3 Those chidren that are of age and strength to worke , ought to be bound out to some trade or other , or else set to worke upon some common parish stocke , of which the Overseers of the poore for the time being , or some others deputed by the Parish , should have the mannaging and government , appointing every child to that worke hee is fit , and setting some Master worke-man over them who should instruct them . 4 The Constables , Overseers of the poore , and Beadells , especially if they see any such poore Orphans , or children , or other impotent persons , begging , playing , or loytering in the streetes , should presently examine them what they are , and where they live : If in another Parish they should presently convey them thither , and acquaint the Overseers of the poore , or Constables with them , that so it might keep them & provide for them if neede be according as our lawes prescribe . If their owne parish , if they are poore and neede reliefe , they are forthwith to take care for their supply and education , and in case they are fit for any worke or emploiment , to set them to that they are able to performe , and to traine them up or place them out to such who will bring them up to some honest labour . 5 When such Orphans and poore children are thus placed out apprentises , the Overseers and such as binde them out apprentises , and their successors , or at leastwise the Overseers of the parishes , or Masters , or Alderman of the severall ward , where they are placed , ought , and may monethly enquire , how they are used by their Masters , whether they allow them competent food and raiment , while they keepe them to their work , and give them that which is fit for Christians , or persons of their age and quality : whether they keepe them in their service , or else turne them away without just cause , ( in all or some of which many Masters are often delinquent ) And in case they find them pervert , to complaine against them for it , that so they may be punished in a just and legall manner .

And if all Overseers of the poore , Constales , Beadles and under Officers would be but thus diligent in their places , or if superiour Magistrates would but punish them severely , as our lawes appoint , where they finde them negligent in their duties , wee should quickely have no begging , no perishing , nor complaining in our streets .

FINIS .