They demanded services, duties, and customs to which they had no just title.

Nay, they would often bring actions against their neighbours for their own private advantage, and then send in the bill to the parish.

No objection was made, during many years, to these proceedings, so that the rates became heavier and heavier: nor was any person exempted from these demands, except the footmen and gamekeepers of the squire and the rector of the parish.

They indeed were never checked in any excess.

They would come to an honest labourer's cottage, eat his pancakes, tuck his fowls into their pockets, and cane the poor man himself.