THere were seen this Week three Matron Polecats at the Committee for the Election of a Matron Go­verness of Bridewell, who all of them desired the Place, as having deserved well of this honorable City; the manner thus,

The Committee being set at the usuall place, the Chair­man commanded the three Matrons to be called in, and no sooner was the door open, but two ancient Beadles presented▪ Mistris Holland of the Leaguer, who making her coursey took up her stand; next followed Sarah Salsbu­ry presented by Black Madge of the Bank-side, did the like and stood; Lastly came Bess Broughton supported by a Squir of the Body, did her duty also, and stood; Then be spake the Chair-man, and told them, This present meeting was to know who of them three had deserved best of this Ho­norable City, that the party deserving might be reward­ed with the Matron Governship of Bridewell. And then nodding to Mistris Holland, bid her speak for her self, who lowly courseying, said, ‘May it please your Worships, It is not unknown that for many years together; before the late great blood-letting of this Nation, I was a dweller in this Populous Ci­ty, and had my Castle well provided, where the hot bloods of all [Page 3] sorts resorted to cool themselves, Because there was no Warrs but a little in the Low-Countrys, which was onely a Refuge for younger Brothers that had nothing to live upon at home, But those whose fortunes were high swollen, and might enrich this Noble City in the spending thereof, I drew to my Castle, and shewed them hansom Monkeys, fine Minions, rare Marmosetts, Saint Antholme's Lecturers, sainted Sisters, Country Girls Cashier'd Chambermaids, renegado Wives, Ladies of Pleasure Sporteers and starc [...]'d Exchangers, some of all sorts with whom they mingled, and vaulted their fortunes away in the lapp of this City, which otherwise had sin oaked out of their Chimney­topps in the Country, and fill'd the Nation with more people be­gotten on their Wives Chamber-maids & Tenants Daughters, then the land could beare; These Gallants (said she) by my Art inricht all the Tradesmen of this City, as Taylors, Shooe-makers, Exchange-womens Husbands Cutlers, Feather-makers, Beaver­makers, Lace-makers, Button-sellers, Gold-smiths, Perfumers, Belt-makers, Spurriers, and Laundresses, who thereby so in­creas'd the making of Sope and Starch, and inhanced the Pri­ces of them, that they became a Crown Revenue; Besides the Vin­teners of my acquaintance grew to be Aldermens fellows, and the Cooks to be of the Common-Councell. Some poor Clergy-men fa­red the better, for by the private Christenings I sent them, they lived comfortably, which otherwise would have put some whole Parrish to the Charge of a Lecter to maintain them. And in my flourishing time was built Covent-Garden, Queen-street, Clare-street, Long-Acre, and Bloomsbury, to the eternall enriching and ennobling of this City, for which reason I conceive (with your Worships favor) I have deserved this preferrment in my old age, of you, and this Honorable City;’ and then stood by.

Presently came forth Sarah Salisbury, who making ve­ry humble obeysance, began as followeth: ‘Gentle-men, in this cause, I press the bolder my right of the Govern­ment of of this Society of Bridewell, which is now in your disposing, Because I came into the World dignifi'd for [Page 4] Government, and have continued so from my Cradle; for my mother was a Midwife, and my father the Curate of the Parish; No sooner was I 13. years old, but I was made a Chambermaid, where I took up my Mistrisse Son, and brought him to London, and here made him spend himself to his shirt, by which (as the former Gentlewoman said) inrich'd many a Tavern, his and my acquaintance being able to make a Tavern rich suddenly, and break it again when we list; Besides, going for man and Wife; all the best Lodgings in the Towne were the better for us, for we re­moved commonly every Week, and gave double rates. If I longed for ought, it must be had, many a single dish of Fish in Fish-street, between him and I only, hath cost him 5. l. or 6. l. all which reckonings I inflamed, to the great benefit of the Fishmongers, which the former Gentlewo­man noted not, Also the Poulterers Wiues got new Gowns, if I lay but a Barne neer them: When for the good of this City I had utterly undone him, I took up an old rich Ʋsu­rer, and carried him from street to street, where I made him spend so profusely, that I was Courted of all the Neighbours, as if I had the Indies in a Bagg; I made him give to poor handsome Children where ever I came, Gowns, Coats, Hatts, Dresses, and Money when I pleased: for tis great weakness in Woman to have any mercy of the Purses of those who make use of their Bodies; when I had squeez'd him dry, I shook him off, and snatch'd up a Fidler that had got store of Money, and quickly put his Purse out of Tune, threw him off, and then catch'd up a Yeoman of the Guard, I lifted him from place to place, to the great benefit of this City, till he fell down and rose no more; Then I took up a Factor of the East Indies, that had cozened the Company of much Gold, Jewells, and Druggs, which I made him cast away freely in the Plea­sures of this City, and when 'twas all gone, I sent him thi­ther again for more. Then I hooked in two Players, one [Page 5] after another, till I made them pawn their Wives cloaths, and sell the stocks of their House. And when game grew scarce, I flew over sea, and snatch'd up a Brother of the Sword, and brought him hither, and made him spend in this City all that he had got in the two first Northerne Exxpeditions, and at last, pawn his [...]uff Goat. Last of all, I catch'd up a Parson (with a Carret-beard) who had been twenty years a getter, and in lesse then two, I made him leave it all in this City, then I brought him to the Coun­ter-Gate, and there left him, After these, I took up onely for a day or two, or three above a 1000 others, whose Names I know not, as Atturneys, Solicitors, Lawyers Clerks, and Forreiners, as Lacquies, French Taylors, Perriwigg-makers and Perfumers of Paris, or indeed any Strangers whom in­deed I never let goe from me with a penny in their pock­ets, or any good things they had to pawn, all which I caused to be consumed for the benefit of this Ci [...]y, in the Recreations thereof, which is very well known to many of my acquaintance, whose testimony (if need were) I could bring; I shall therefore des [...]e your favours in the businesse before you, hoping I have deserved this Gover­ment of Bridewel better then the former Gentlewoman;’ and then making another low Cursey, stood still.

Then said Bess Broughton,

Then the Chair-man commanded the three Gentle­women to be taken forth, which done, cousultation was had for an houres space, and then being all called in a­gain, He first asked Mistris Holland, of what Church shee was?

Who answered, A Presbyterian.

Then he asked Sarah Salisbury, of what Church she was?

Who answered, Sir, I am an Independent, for I was never married.

But when he came to Bess Broughton, the Chair-man put off his Hat to-her, and said, Mistris Broughton, I will not question what Church ye are of, But what did you mean when you talked of the Winchester Goose? Was it a French Winchester Goose you so used for the service of this Hono­rable Citie?

She answered, Yea Sir, it was.

But had not you a Monopoly, or a Patent from the Court for that French Winchester Goose?

But she answered, Truely Sir, nay,

[Page 8] Nay, said the Chairman, it was lawfull enough, so long as it was used for the good of the City. Therefore to you Mistris Broughton is given the Matron Government of the Place for your life, as having best deserved it.

Mistris Holland, you shall have, as deserving the second Place, a Tythe paid you of all the Medlers growing with­in 15 Miles of Bow-bell.

And for you Mistris Sarah Salisbury, wee doe obliege one Titt, and two Cowes grazing on H [...]nslow-Heath, with which, and the help of much frequenting Sermons there­abouts, and a little Kitchin Physick, you may borrow up a liuing amongst the the Ignorant Country People, till the death of Mistris Holland, and then you shall have all the Tythe of the Medlers; which said, they were dismis­sed.