His Majesty having bean pleased to issue his Royal Proclamation commanding
for a general Fast to b observedthat a public Foot and humiliation be in most devout and solemn Manner observed throughout England
and other his Dominions on Friday the twenty seventh
Day of February instant for obtaining Pardon of our Sins and other
religions Purposes, and the
TheRight Reverend the Bishops having signified their Concern at the
increasing Neglect and irreligious disregard of Good Friday and an carnest
desire. of the assistance of the Magistrates towards the remedy of so great an
evil His Majesty's Justices of the Peace
for this County in Obedience by his Majesty's Will and Pleasure as signified in and by the said Proclamation and ever desirous to
co-operate with our Spiritual Guides and Governours in promoting Religion and
Virtue and being also ever ready to exert their Authority and influence, as well in the restraint,
as the Punishment of Profaneness and Immorality Do hereby order and strictly
require of all Victuallers
and Keepers of Public Houses, exercising their Callings
under the License of the said Justices, that on the approaching Day of the general Fast and also of the [..] Fast of Good
Friday they suffer no resort of Persons to their respective Houses for the
purpose of Drinking or Tipling; But that during the time of Dwine Service
on each of thosethatdays they keep the same That as hath been accustomed on Solemn
Fast Days on pair of Forfeiture of their recognizances which bind them to
the observance of good Rule and Order in their Houses. And the said Justices
Do hereby further order and strictly [..] require the several High Constables of this County together
with the Petty Constables
in their respective Hundreds and Divisions as well
within Liberties as without, that they diligently attend to the conduct and
behaviour of Victuallers and other persons aforesaid in this respect: and that
on the first day of the next General Quarter Session of the Peace to be holden
for this County they make a return in writing of the Names of all such persons
aforesaid as they shall find offending in the Premises to the end that due