[London] In the Savoy : Printed for J. Nutt, Assignee of Edward Sayer Esq; for Jacob Tonson at Shakespear’s-Head over-against Catherine-street in the Strand 1715. 8vo, A-Z, Aa-Mm8, Nn4, [xvi], 552 pp, folding table, cont. calf, morocco label, short split to front hinge, head and foot of spine chipped, cords sounds, signature of Joh.(?) Vernon dated 1717 in ink on title.
First published in 1680, this is the eighth and last edition brought up to date with the latest cases. As a handbook for J.P.s it is very much more than a simple catalogue of felonies and misdemeanours and the appropriate punishments: it sets out the rules and regulations by which early 18th century society was ordered. There are the statutory minimum wages for more than sixty different occupations, and the folding table gives the weight of one-penny to eighteen-penny loaves of bread according to the price of grain. The duties of various different officials such as the clergy, constables, soldiers and sheriffs are set out, as well as the rules governing papists, inn-keepers, apprentices, the poor and many others. In sum a detailed social document.
Reference: ESTC T133419