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TRADITION gives the weavers
and bakers priority among all handicrafts, and not without some show of
reason. In the natural order of things, food and clothing are the two
first requisites of man, in whatever condition he is found, and so it
has happened that in newly-formed communities weavers and bakers came to
be established earlier than the other crafts less necessary to civilised
life. In Scotland this has been the case with the bakers more so than in
many other countries, notably in England, where the baking of bread was
carried on more in the household than in the bakehouse. In Aberdeen down
to the middle of the last century the baking of oat cakes was far more
common among the males than the females, the special privilege of baking
"ait kakis" being as jealously guarded by the craftsmen bakers in
Aberdeen as any other branch of their business. It is a curious fact
that this branch of baking is rapidly returning again to ordinary
bakehouses; while, unfortunately, the knowledge of the art is rapidly
dying out among modern housewives. In Scotland, too, the baking of
loaves and biscuits has been more strictly confined to the male sex than
in other countries. In England, for instance, almost every housewife
bakes a considerable proportion of the loaf bread required for the
household; but in Scotland, and notably in Aberdeen, the baking of loaf
and biscuit bread has been preserved as a strict monopoly for the men
bakers. According to the acts and ordinances of the Baker craft in
Aberdeen, women were not allowed to bake any bread, pastry, or pies to
be sold in the streets or in shops, a restriction which was maintained
until the abolition of trading privileges in 1846.
The Magistrates in
Aberdeen began at an early date—as soon, in fact, as we have any mention
of Magistrates in the
BAKERS [15th May, 1682].—Or, two baker's
peels in saltire gules, each charged with three loaves in pale argent,
between a tower of Aberdeen in chief, and a millrind in base of the
third [!] Motto: Floreant Pistores.
public records—to take
cognisance of the Baker craft. In 1398 the bakers are dealt with in
their collective capacity, and for the better regulation of the Trade a
system of marks was instituted for the different makers of bread in the
town The following is the minute in the Council Register for the year
1457, vol. v., p. 337, the different marks being rudely drawn opposite
each name:--
This ar ye baxteris of
bred whilkis sal visit the craft and na oythers in the first:—
The price and weight of
bread seem to have been matters as carefully looked after in the early
history of the town as it is to-day. On 8th October, 1507, the Council
ordained that "all baxteris sail have breid of quheit sufficient, gud
and clene stuff, penny breid and tua penny breid," and on 21st October,
1544, the "bailyeis commandit and ordinit all four the officiaris, in
jugment, to pas throcht all the rewis and streitis of the toune, als oft
as neid beis, and vesy and seik all caik baxteris that bakis ony cakis
to sell, and tak all thair girdilis thai apprehend baikand siklik cakis,
and present the said girdilis to thame, and verefy that thai tuik the
same fray caik baxteris, baikand caikis to sell, and thai sail haue the
said escheit to thaim for thair travell ; and causit the officiaris suer
the gryt aith to exerce the same lelilie and trewlie, without feid or
fauour, and to present the saidis girdilis as oft as thai culd apprehend
thaine."
On 8th April of the following year " Sandi Kemp," baxter, was "
convictit be the counsale for the offering of the France capitane of
tone dosoun of iij d. braid of quhit, for the boll of quhit, contrair
the cominond weill of the town, and hindering the proffeit thairof, and
he and all wther baxteris of the guid toun ordinit to decest fra doyng
of sic thingis in tylnes cumyng, vnder the pane of expelling of thame of
thair craft within the said burgh, for yeir and day, and paying of xl s.
to Sanct Nicholace wark vnforgevin. And als ordinit the said Sanderes to
pay viij s. to the sustentatioune of the seik folkis, for the falt big
and unforgevin." [It would appear from the following entry in the
Council Register that there had been several other unruly members among
the craft 15th April, 1484.—In the court haldin be the ballies of
Abirdene, in the tolbuithc, the xv day of Aprile forsaid, it was ordanit
be ane assise, a d forbidd%n that, in tyme comming, Johne the Rosse,
baxter, sail bore na wauppynis vnder nicht, sic as ane swerd, or vthir
fensabil wauppynnis, for certain causes considerit be thaim, vndir the
pain of tynsale of his fredom, but gif he be chargit be the ofhciars.
And for the said John the Rosse, William Futhes is becumin law burgh
that William Vmfray salbe vnscathit in tym cumin, vtherwayes than as law
will. And the said William Vmfray gas fundin Thom. Sympson law bergb for
him, that the said Johne the Rosse salbe scathles in likewise. Attour
the assise lies ordanit that gif it happynnis the said Jobne the Rosse,
in tyme tocum, to forfaute aoanis William Vmfra, or his broudre Maistre
William, like as he has done of before, that he sail pay v. merkis to
Sanct Nicholace wark, and that he sail do alsmekil sted and seruice to
thaw, as he has done them grevans, &c." —Council Register, vol. vi., p.
839.]
The following extracts
from the Council Register furnish interesting information as to the
price of wheat and bread, and also the kind of bread that was baked at
the different periods
9th August, 1549.—The
said day, it is statut and ordinit be the prouest, bailzies, and
counsale, present for the tyme, in presens of the maist pairt of the
baxsteris of this guid tovnu, havand respect to the prices that the
quhit Bevis for the tyme in this tovnn, viz., xxxij s., or xxxiiij s. at
the maist, that thair be na manner of iiij d. breid bakin within this
tovun frathinfurth, vnder the pane of eachaeting of the same, but
allanerly tua penny breid and peony breid, that be guid stuf, frosche,
veill boutcit, and without mixtiour, and ueill bakin ; the prise of the
tua penny breid xiij voce, and penny breid vij vuces ; and gif ony breid
beis fundin incontrar heiruf quhen it is weyt be the bailzic, thane and
in that caise it salbe lesum to the said bailzeis that apprehendit it to
eschait and daill the same to the purale for thair contentioun, without
ony fonder calling, accusing, or connuikit of thame ; and als tha statut
and ordinit that all manner of flower, quhit, ry, and ry meill that
hapnis to cum to the tovii frathinfurth one of the avin auentour, that
the baxsteris of this guid tovne sail haue the same, of the same price
the towne hapnis to by the same, sa far as tha ma loise amaugis thame,
and pay the fremmit men thankfully, and na wther man to haue ony part
tharof quhill the said baxsteris refuise it.—Council Register, vol. xx.,
p. 274.
16th December, 1549.—The
said day, Alexr. Jaffray, John Foullis, Charle Dauesoun, Duncane Colle,
George Anderson, and Jonat Ancroft, baxstaris, tha and ilk ane of thame
is conuikit be the some assise aboun writin for the brakiu of command
ordinance and statutis of this guid tovne, in selling of breid of quhit
of less prise thane the statutis maid thairwpoun, and of insufficient
stuf, quherfor ilk ane of them is in ane amerciament of the court, and
that is gevin for dovme. And the bailzies ordinit the officiaris to pas
incontinent and pund every ane of theme therfor, and cals thame all in
iugment to keip the said statutis, and to baik and sell xiiij vnce of
guid, clein, dry, and veill bakin fresche stuf for ij d., and to haue
breid rady at all tyme to serue the tovne sa lang as tha haue stuf,
vnder the pane of eschaeting of the haill braid fundin with thame for
the tyme.—CounezZ Register, vol. xx., p. 330.
12th August, 1555.—The
said day, AIexr. Jeffray, Duncane Fraser, 'Villiame Congiltoun, Dauid
Saidlar, Johnne Fowlis, Charles Dauidsone, Reche Myln, Alexr. Kemp
elder, Alexr. Kemp youngar, Alexr. Kay, and Duncane Colly, baxteris, and
ilkane of thame were conuickit in judgement, and put in amerciament of
court, for the braking of the commound ordinance and statutis of this
guid toune of selling of quhyt breid of less messour and price nor wes
gewin and dewisit be the counsell to thame of befoir to obserf and
fulfill; quhairfor thai war in amerciament of court to forbeir in tyme
cumyng and amend as law vill, and that wes gewin for dome, and the
baillies continewit thair vulawis to be modift be thame eftirwart.
The said day, the haill
counsell statut and ordanit that the baxteris of this guid touue sail
balk and sell twenty tua vnce of quhyt breid, sufficient stuf, and weill
bakin, for four penneis, and tuenty-aucht vnce of ry breid, sufficient
stuf, and weill bakin, for four d.; and that na breid be sauld be thame
quhill thai be considdlerit and vestit be ane of the baillies; and
quhowsone the breid beis takin out of the owne, that ane of the baillies
salbe aduertist and requirit to do the same; and that na baxter sail
baik ony breid vpone Settirday befoir tua eftir none; and quha beis
fundin cumand in the contrar heirof, the hail baikin stuf beand fundin
and gottin in his possessioune to be escheit and delt; and gyf ony
baxter hawand stuf beis fundin wantand baikin breid, and nocht vsand his
craft to serf the toune and nightbouris therof in contemptioune of this
ordinance, the same beand knawin and vnderstand, the haill victuall and
stuf beand fuudiu in his possessioune to be eseheit and delt to the puir
folkis. And this statut to induir and haf stryntht quhill the fest of
Michaelmes nixt cumis, and further induiring the counsellis
will.—Council Register, vol. xxii,, p. 124.
4th October, 1555.—Item,
it is statut and ordanit, with consent of the haill baxteris, beand
convenit, that nane of thame pass in the contray to by quhit, of darrer
prices bot as tha ma keip and obserf the statut and by ordinance gewin
thame be the counsale for this present yeir; and alse that nane of the
saidis baxsteris by quhit attour his nychtbouris heyd : that is to say,
where his nychtbour hes bene to mak ony hying or bergane of quhyt, and
bidden ony money thairfor, that his nychtbour. bid na mair nor is
offerit, nor mak him to by thair, wnder the pane of fourty s. for the
first falt, and tynsell of fredome for yeir and day for the secund falt,
gif he beis convickit for the same.—Council Register, vol. xxii., p.
165.
The Bakers were granted a
Seal of Cause [The Bakers have for a long time been under the impression
that they had no formal Seal of Cause. Kennedy (Annals, vol. II., p.
225) says lie was unable to discover it in the registers of the Town
Council; but the present writer fortunately discovered an authenticated
copy in the Records of the Trade.] in 1534, but for a considerable time
prior to that date they were in the habit of electing deacons, and
reporting their election to the Magistrates and Town Council. Although
briefer than some of the others, the Bakers' Seal of Cause is more
comprehensive and explicit than the most of these local charters. It is
as follows :---
Be it kend till all men
be thir presents, We, the Provost, Baillies, Counsell, and communitie of
the burght of Aberdeen, the commonweall of the same in that pairt having
seen, considered, and understood be advyce, and we being rightly advysit
thairupon, to have grantit, given, and committit, and be the tenor
hereof grants, gives, and commits to our lovittits neigbouris, John
Bannerman, and Alexander Marr, baxteris, deconis of the craftis of
baxteris of the said burght for the tyme, and to their successors in all
tyme to come, ane full, free, and plane power, and authoritie upon all
and sundrie occupiaris and exerciseres of the said craft, within the
said burght, and freedom of the samen: To correct and punish the
trespassers thair unlaws, amerciaments, and escheats to be advysit and
modified be the saidis deacons and their successors; to uptak and
inbring to the commonweall and utilitie of the said craft (blood and
blae being excepted) to the punitioun of us and our successors. Also we
ratify that no freeman sail be maid of the same craft until he be
examined be the saidis deacons or their successors—deacons of the saidis
Craft for the time—and that he be found be them ane sufficient craftsman
and mak his maisterstick of work, and that he be proven worthie be his
work to be ane maister and admittit be the said deacons for the tyme and
presented to us as ane able person to be made freeman. Sicklik it sail
be liesum to the saidis deacons and their successors with the advice and
counsell of the principal neighbouris of the said Craft to mak statutes
and ordinances for the commonweall of the said Craft and honour of the
said burght; give and granted to the saidis deacons and their
successors, deacons of the saidis craft fra us and our foresaids all
power and privileges obefoir written for us, the said deacons and their
successors answering to us and our successors for all and sundrie, the
neighbouris, maisters, servants, prentisses, and occuparis of the said
Craft for all faults that lies under their correction, gif they leave
any such faults unpunishit, or punish thame otherwise nor they ought to
do of law and good conscience, and that they do justice to all occuparis
of the said Craft at all tymes when they are required without fear or
favour, and gif any occupier of the said Craft disobeys or contemns the
saidis deacons or their successors deacons for the tyme that they
complain to us and our successors, and we cause them be obeyed conform
to their power; providing always that saidis craft choose no deacon in
tyme coming but them that be responsible to the town, conform to their
power, and that they answer to us and our successors for the haill
craft, and all things concerning them and their craft whatsomever they
be requirit thereto. And we, the saidis provost, baillies, counsell, and
communtie, sall warrant, keep, and defend all and sundrie the proruisses
to the saidis deacons and their successors as said is be this writ, and
attour we will and ordain that it sall not be liesum to the one deacon
of the deacons above written to do or statute any thing above written
concerning the weal of the saidis craft, particularlie by himself, but
that they sail both agree and concur togidder in all tymes they have to
do, touching the said craft, and siklyke their successors in tyme coming
; in witnessing those present powers and privileges, we causit appense
our common seal, the twenty-fifth day of April, the year of God ane
thousand fyve hundreth thretee and four years.
The old Acts and
Ordinances of the craft were carefully copied from the old registers
into a minute book, commenced in 1632, which also contains a list of
deacons from 1572. The preface runs—"Thir followes the good and
laudabill actes and statutes of the Baxter craft of Aberdeen, being ye
second craft within ye samyn, to be keipit and observit in all tymn
cuming." The mention here of the Bakers being the second craft recalls
the fact that when the Wrights and Coopers claimed possession of the
second window in the old Trinity Chapel the Bakers raised an action at
law to have it declared that they were the second craft in the order of
precedence, and being successful, no further attempt was made to disturb
the existing arrangement.
On the fly leaves of the
oldest minute book—which, by the way, is ornamented here and there with
red capitals—are a number of moral and pious extracts such as
Wealth may take wings and
riches flee away,
But God's a rock that ne'er will decay.
Behold the staitt of all
the sones of men
That live to die, but knowis not how nor quhen,
How grass like they do whither and decay,
flow Boone death doeth mawe them down lyk hay;
How vain a thing of all things is man,
For, loe, his lyf is measured by a span;
How he is borne with plentis, brocht with pain,
And how with grief he gois to grave againe.
Then follow the acts and
statutes, a number of which, as in the case of the other Trades, are
undated :—
ANENT SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
Item, it is statute and
ordained at Aberdeen the twentie-ane day of February, 1634 years, George
Leslie, baiter, being deacon, that ilk freemen hereof, baith servants
and prentices sail keep the holy Sabbath Day precisely at sermone
beforenone and afternoone, and sail nowayse absent thaim selffis
thairfra (health of bodie servin) under the pain of six shillings Scots
ilk person toties quoties, as they happen to contravene thir present
ordinance ; And ilk servant and prentices of the said craft [that] is
vagaboundis on ye Sabbath and strayer heir and there be playing at lynks,
kyillies, bou'lls, and other unlawful games, so that they neglect their
dewtie towards God and their masters. Thairfor it is strictly statute
and ordainit that gif ony of there beis found brakeries of the said
Sabbath Day at any tyme hereafter, ye contravenaris hereof shall pay to
the collectour for helping of the poore of their craft four shillings
Scots toties quoties for thair absence from the service ; and if they be
found playing at the forsaids pastymes on the said Sabbath Day sall pay
six shillings and eightpence toties quoties, and to be punished in thair
person otherwise ; or otherwise reported to the session that they may
tak ordour therewith as appertenis.
ANENT "SCHEILLING" WHEAT.
Item, it is statute and
ordainit that ilk freeman hereintill sall have no power to scheill
quheat at the flour mill within this burgh, but twa birne quheat at ane
scheilling, and everie ane to have his rowme about, and ony quantitie
ground as neid requires, and wha does in the contrair hereof sall pay
six shillings toties quoties.
ANENT DRINKING AND
DEBAUCHING.
Item, it is statute and
ordainit that gif ony servants or prentisses beis found drinking and
debauching in hous on the Sabbath night, or drinking in tyme of divine
service, the contravener thereof sail pay to the collectour for helping
of the poore six shillings toties quoties.
ANENT CARRYING WEAPONS.
Item, it is statute and
ordainit that it sail not be leasom to no servant nor prentiss to wear
upon him either whinger or durk or dagger, but ane big knyff for eating
of his meat, laiking a poynt, or either he be going to landward in his
master's service, and wha contravenes hereintill sail pay six shillings
toties quoties.
ANENT PRENTICES BAKING
BUNS AND PIES.
Item, it is statute and
ordainit that no prentiss nor servant sall baik any buiis or pyes to
sell in tyme currying under the pain of confiscation thereof beside and
attour ane unlaw to the poore of the craft.
ANENT APPRENTICES
MARRYING.
Item, it is statute and
ordainit that it sail not be leasom to no prentiss within his
prentissship to marie nor spouse hym to ane wyff, nayer to commit
fornication nor adulterie within their prentissship, and wha contravenis
hereintill to begin of new again and serve over the whole years
contained in his indenture. Otherwyse, in case of refusal, naways to
receive the benefit of ane freeman.
ANENT WEARING HATS AT
FUNERALS.
Item, it is statute and
ordanit that ilk freeman hereof that has hattes, or in use to wear any,
sall come with thair hattes on thair heads to all burials they happen to
be warned unto, and that nane absent thameselffs theirfra. And wha
contravenes hereinn sail pay six shillings toties quoties for helping of
the poor of the craft. And nane appoint in the contrair.
10th August, 1636.—The
day and dait of the Act within written, ane Act and ordinance is
ratified and approven as all freemen of the said craft that wears hattes
on their heids on the Sabbthe day, sail come lykewise decentlie on
Tysday and Thursday at sermones as occasion offers, and wha contravenes
hereintill sail pay to the poore of the craft six shillings and
eightpence toties quoties.
ANENT JURNAY-BOYES.
Item, it is statute and
ordainit that no freeman hereof sail have jurnayboyes in thair baikhous
; but that everie maister have them either feed prenties or servant with
thame, and wha contravenes hereintill sail pay six shillings toties
quoties to the collectour for helping the poore.
ANENT APPRENTICES.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no freeman sail be maid at no tyme hereaf ter without he
serve lawfully prentice within the samyn be the space of six years
fullie togidder as prentice and servant, and gif the master depart this
present lyff within the years of his prenticeship, it is considered and
concluded be the saidis deacon and maisters that he shall serve ane
other maister of this craft the rest of the years that are not outrun,
so that it sail nowyse be leisom to the said prentice to attain to the
benefit as ane freeman hereof while unto the time he obtemper this
present ordinance.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no freeman hereof presume nor tak upon hand to accept or
receive either prentice or boyes in thair service unto the time they
come duly to the court and pay their entry to the collectour in presence
of the deacon and maisters, and wha contravenes hereintill sail pay six
shillings toties quoties for helping of the poor.
Item, it is statute and
ordaint that no freeman hereof sail have two prentises servin him at one
tyme, and who contravenes hereintill sail pay to the collectour of the
craft for helping of their poor ten merks toties quoties. And nane
appoint in ye contrair.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that na indenture betwixt maister and prentiss sail be
presented before the deacon and maisters except it be under the
subscription of the clerk of our own court under the pain of six
shillings to be paid to the collectour be the breaker of this ordinance.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that ilk maister sail present and exhibit before the haill
calling their prentisses indentures sic as they happen to conduce with,
to the effect the same may be tryed whether or not thay be orderlie
accepted, and wha contravenes hereintill sail pay six shillings toties
quoties to the collectour of the craft.
Item, it is statute that
na new admittit frieman hereof sail accept nor conduce with ane prentiss
untill he be past three yeirs as ane frieman, and wha contravines
herintill sail pay ten pounds money.
Item, that no frieman
sail take ane other callants aff off their hand until he give
satisfaction for bygone rests.
ANENT PAYMENT of DUES.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that ilk master of this craft admitted freeman sail put and
deliver at ilk quarter court their quarter stage [penny] with their
servants and prentices, and that for helping of the poor of the craft,
and everie dues astrictit furth thereof. And the maister to answer for
their prentices and servants, and pay conform but [without] ony
postponis or firstings, under the pain of 13 shillings toties quoties by
and attour thair quarter stages for disobedience.
ANENT BUYING WHEAT.
Item, it is statute and
ordanit that it sail nowyse be leasome to no freeman hereof to buy any
quheat or buy he himselff frae ane extraniar, or any other merchant
within this burgh arriving thereat. Bot ye same stuff sail be coft
[bought] be the Deacon of this craft in name, and to the utilitie of the
hail bretheren hereof. And quha contravenes herintill sail pay to the
collectour in name of the craft twentie shillings Scots for ilk brak
thereof.
Forsaemikle as the
bretherne being informed that certain of the brither of gild of this
burgh frequents to landward south and north and buys without to their
ain selves, thinking thereby that the baxters will buy the same aff of
thair hands to the great prejudice of the craft for remeid, whereof it
is statute and ordained that whasomever of the said craft buys any of
the said quheat so coft in smalls in landward sail pay four pounds money
toties quoties as they happen to contraven.
15th August, 1637.—The
said day it is statute and ordained be the deacon and maisters of the
said calling (for exchewing of scandal to the said craft) that it sail
not be lesum to no freeman of the said calling to buy ony quheat meall
on mercat dayes that happen to come into the mercat to be sauld, neither
in smalls nor greats, and wha contravenes hereintill shall pay fortie
shillings on ilk boll thereof toties quoties for helping of the poore of
the craft, and this act and statute to be intimate to the whole craft
that they pretend no ignorance thereof, with special provision always
that they that buys quheat small aforehand to be inbrocht to this burgh
on mercat days then always to be free of this ordinance and no
otherwise.
ANENT BUYING NEW WHEAT.
8th August, 1636.—The
said day it is statute and ordained that gif ony frieman of the said
calling buy ony new quheat be himselff at ony tym hereafter the same
being about four bolls, in that case the buyer sail distribute two bolls
thereof to the nicbbours gif they require the same for mixing of old
quheat therewith.
ANENT KEEPING LATE HOURS.
Item, it is statute and
ordaint that whatever frieman, prentice, or servant, beis found out of
thair ain house at ten hours at night, or found in any unlawful place,
sail pay six shillings and eightpennies toties quoties for helping of
the poore of ye same.
ANENT SELLING FLOUR TO
UNFREEMEN.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever person or persons of this calling sail be
found to sell any flour, in greaties or smallies to unfriemen, or sail
happen to gif flour to their servants for thair service sail in that
case pay six shillings money of this realm toties quoties how oft the
same be tryit be witness or aith of pairties. As also that no frieman
permit nor suffer any unfree person to bake buns in their baik hous in
tyme cuming under the lyke pains.
ANENT ENTRY MONEY.
Item, it is statute and
ordained forsameikill as the great leniency that entered freemen here
had anent their composition or banquet either, whereas other crafts
within the same taks twies als mutch, to remedy whereof the deacon and
maisters have ane statute and ordinance that whatsomever sail enter in
amongst them as friemen sail pay forty pounds of composition to the
craft for their part by and attour sic devotie as belongs to the toun,
so that the entrant sail save the craft thereanent at the toun's hands,
and nane appoint to the contrair.
ANENT THE TRADES HOSPITAL.
Item, it is statute and
ordained, forsameikill as the most pairt of the freemen within this
burgh having given in thair several contributions be thamselves to the
Trinitie Hospital founded by the Rev. pastor Doctor William Guild, and
to the effect the said hospital and convening house thereof may be the
better maintinit, therefor it is statute and ordanit be advice of deacon
and maisters and whole craft convenit that ilk new admittit frieman that
be received hereafter in this incorporation sail give in their talent to
the said use within yeir and day after their admission and this
according to thair descrition and habilitie.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whosoever of this craft withholding his help from the
hospital of the said crafts sail have no pairt nor portion of the
mortifiet moneys dedicat to that use ; neither to have vote in choosing
of the deacon and masters of their craft or admission of the said hous
of any frieman.
ANENT BRIBERY AND
CANVASSING.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whosoever of this craft convocates themselves for choising
of the deacon obefoir the day of election or subornes any others to
choir any man before the said day, the doer, whasoever he be, sail be
convict in six pounds money to be paid into the deacon-convener's box,
and gif he have no monies to be debared of all vote in any meeting
whatsomever and sicklike wha pays not their quarter stages, either
prentice or servant, entries, uniaws, and convictions given in against
them sail have no vote in choosing of the deacon in tyme cuming.
ANENT MEETING IN THE
TRINITIES.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whasomever deacon convenes in their ain house either with
his haill craft or with their haill maisters to hold court or meetings
anent any affairs of the craft and convene not formally in their
convening hous of the Trinities the deacon sail pay to the Deacon-Conveener's
box six pounds money toties quoties, and that he sail pay the same
within forty-aucht houris thereafter under the pain of doubling thereof
and poinding therefor.
ANENT BEHAVIOUR AT
MEETINGS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whasomever court beis holden either general or particular
within the said convening hous, the court ante being fencit, and
whosoever thereafter speikes without leve askit and given sail pay six
shillings toties quoties, and if he refuse sail be presently poinded
therefor. And gif ony be refracter to be defraudit of thair vote or any
benefit of court till the same be obeyit.
ANENT SLANDER AND SCANDAL.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever frieman hereof that slanders and villipendes
the actis and ordinances of their present buik and disobeys the same
sail not bruik office as deacon or master thereof in no tyme cuming
without he make ane lawful satisfaction to the haill craft and to exact
from him five pounds without any mitigation for his ignorance.
Item, forsameikill as
certaine nichtbouries of this craft, at lawings and other societies, and
offendis thair nichbours be offensive speeches against all civil ordour
or Christainitie and to the effect there may be ane solid ordour in tyme
cuming and such matteris and wrongs suppressed thairfor and ordained
that whosoever of the saidis craft offendis ane other publicly or
privately in any pairt whatsomever be offensive and scandalous speeches
the doer sail be convictit and unlawed for four pounds toties quoties as
the same beis proven either be witness or aith of parties and that to be
inbrocht to the weall of the craft and nane appoynt in the contrair.
ANENT SECOND SONS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no man's second soune, frieman of this craft, sail be
maide frie nor injoy the benefit hereof except he be ane prentiss and
indenture made thereon according to the form.
ANENT BUYING FOREIGN
FLOUR.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no forrin flour be coft be no nichtbour of this craft fra
any whatsomever, under the pain of forty shillings to the craft ; and
forder, that no flour be baiken chaiper nor four shillings the peck,
under the pain of six shillings and eight pennies ilk peck that beis
baiken better chaip.
ANENT PRICES FOR BAKING.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no master of the craft tak upon band to baik any burges'
flour in burges' ovens, nor to baik better chaip the burges man's flour
nor four shillings the peck, conform to the above written act, and wha
contravenes hereintill sail pay eight shillings to the collect-our for
helping of the poore.
ANENT SERVANTS SKAITHING
THEIR MASTERS.
Item, forsameikle as the
servants and prentisses of their incorporation hes the whole credit of
thair maister's stuff and everie guid and gear, and thereby may harm
thaim many wayis behind thair backs to thair hurt and prejudice,
thairfor it is statute and ordained gif ony of the said servants and
prentisses wrangs or skaithes thair maisters directly or indirectly at
ony tyme hereafter be away taken of thair stuff, moneys, or thair guids,
the doer thereof sail be expelled out of all service and baikhouses, and
never to receive the benefit of the craft as friemen in ony tyme
thereafter, and to be punishit in his person at the will of the maisters.
ANENT BUYING OATMEAL.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that it shall not be leasom to no freeman to buy, receive, or
intak in thar house or baikhous ony aittmeal on Setterday or Weddinsday
mercat dayss till the same be put in the common mercat of this burght
under the pain of twentie shillings money totie8 quoties, and gif it
happens the magistrates attache any of the said freemen hereof for
buying of meal unlawfullie the transgressor to free the whole of the
craft of the toun's unlaws.
ANENT QUARRELLING.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that it sail not be leasum to prentiss nor servant to put
violent hands in others be way of deuty, but that everie servant and
prentiss complain to the maister to the effect he may tak ordour
therewith as appertains, and wha lifts his hands or feet to his
nichtbour in baikhous or elsewhere sail pay to the collectour for
helping, of the poor of the craft twenty-nine shillings money toties
quoties by and attour amends to the pairty at the will and discretioun
of the Deacon and maisters.
ANENT THE WEIGHT AND
STAMPING OF BREAD.
6th November, 1634.—The
said day it is ordained that ilk twelf penny quheat loaf sall contain
ten ounces of sufficient weall bakin bread and the twa shilling loaf to
be conform, and in the meantime ordains every neighbour of the calling
to have his stamp on his bread, and that the sufficiency or
insufficiency of the said bread or lacking of the stamp be tried by the
deacon or ony of his maisters whom he pleases with him until Candlemas
next 1635, and who contravenes this present ordnance sail pay six
shillings money toties quoties to the craft. [Numerous instances are
recorded of members being punished for breach of this statute.]
ANENT CRYING PIES IN THE
STREET.
23rd February, 1665.—The
said day it is statute and ordainit be unanimous consent of the haill
trade, that Alexander Innes, baiter, shall not goe through the street
crying with pyes, nor no other of the said traid, and if they be found
to do in the contrair, the contraveneer sail pay to the boxmaster four
pounds Scots for the use of the poor of the said traid. [Alexander Innes,
being the youngest member of the trade, was officer at the time he
committed this offence.]
ANENT NON-PAYING
CUSTOMERS.
8th December, 1676.—The
said day it is strictly statute and ordainit that no neighbour of the
traid sail in any ways, directly or indirectly, baik nor work to any
neighbour's customer, until first he have payt his former baiker of all
bygane rests [debts], and who sail contravene herein to pay into the box
the summe of four pounds Scots money for the use of the poore tot es
quoties; and also that the contravenirs sail pay to the former baxter
such compt as sail be restand to him be his former customer, and this to
be observed in all time coming.
ANENT PAYING THE TOWN'S
DUES.
15th August, 1683.—The
said day it is statute and ordained of unanimous consent of the haill
baxter traid that whosomever of whatsomever rank or quality shall be
admittit frieman of the said traid and received in their incorporations
shall liberat and free the deacon, boxmaster, and remanent members of
the said vocation at the hands of the Dean of Gild and counsell, as also
at the hands of the Deacon-Conveener and members of his court anent all
wyne arms and other public dues, due and payable upon the said entrant
his accompt; and this act to be observed for all tyme coming without any
opposition or contradiction.
ANENT HOURS OF
APPRENTICES.
9th June, 1663.—The said
day it is statute and ordained be the deacon with unanimous consent of
the haill maisters and friemen of the baxter traid within this burgh
that none of their prentisses nor servants be absent from their
maister's service be the space of ane full hour together without leave
askit and given unless they can instruct ane reasonabill cause for their
absence which shall be allowed be the deacon and traid, and sic lyke
that none of their prentisses and servants be out of their maister's
house after nine hours at night without leave of their said maisters or
ane reasonabill excuse to be shown to the said deacon and traid as said
is, and if any of the saidis prentisses and servants contravene and come
in the contrair of this present ordinance, it is statute and ordained
that the persons so transgressing shall pay into the boxmaster of the
said traid threttie shillings Scots money for the use of the poore,
totiis quoties, so oft as they or any of them shall be found absent from
his service, or absent from his maister's house at nine hours at nyght
as said is.
ANENT THE WEIGHT OF BREAD.
15th October, 1666.—This
said day the haill trade and all in ane voce declires and ordains that
everie twa shilling loaf of white bread to be baikin hereafter shall be
of weight twenty-seven ounces of raw douche and leaven, and the
contravener to be censured at the discretion of the trade. The said day
ordains that everie aucht penny loaffe of oat bread shall be of weight
nynteen ounces of leaven, the contravener to be at the discretion of the
traid.
ANENT BISCUIT BAKING.
21st May, 1667.—The said
day it is enacted, statute, and ordained be the deacon and hail traid
that no frieman of the traid baik nor sell any biskit bread at any time
hereafter under the pain of forty shillings tones quoties to be paid be
the delinquent to the boxmaster for use of the poore of the traid ; and
siclyk statute and ordain be the deacon and traid that no servant or
unfrieman baik nor sell ony bread neither in private nor in public in
prejudice of the freiman and maisters with certification that any
servant or unfrieman that contravenes this statute shall be utterlie
debarred from any service or societie amongst the bakeris in this burgh
in all time thereafter.
ANENT THE WEIGHT OF
LOAVES.
23rd November,
1669.—Item, it is statute and ordained that ilk wheat halfpenny loaff
sall weigh fifteen ounces, and ilk eight penny oat loaff twentie ounces,
and ilk two shillings wheat loaff to weigh thirty ounces.
ANENT FINDING SECURITY.
14th January, 1669.—The
said day it is enacted and ordained be the haill traid that none who
sail hereafter enter friemen of the traid sail come in friemen thereof
unless he first give and find a sufficient cautioner for his composition
and other things incumbent to him to doe, and that before he supplicate
the trade for the said effect, or then to pay and deliver ready money
for his said composition.
ANENT LIGHT BREAD.
14th January, 1669.—The
said day it is statute and ordained that in all tyme cuming there sail
tuo of the traid go through the haill traid weeklie, visiting time
about, and notiss and tak inspection of the unsufficiuce of bread, and
if any of the traid be found guilty theirin to report the same to the
deacon and maisters of the traid.
ANENT BANQUETS AND FEASTS.
21st February, 1671.—The
said day the haill trade unanimously statute and ordained that in all
tyme hereafter there sail be no banquets nor feasts exacted off of ony
entrant frieman, but the said feast to be converted into money according
to the modification of the traid, and to be given into the boxmaster for
the use of the craft and the poore thereof. And this to be observit in
all tyme to cum without alteration. [This act soon fell into desuetude.]
ANENT ALLOWING BOYS TO
BAKE SMALL BREAD.
1st August, 1672.—The
said day it is statute and ordained that no frieman of the calling give
to any of their prentisses or boys any flour of their wheat baiking nor
give them libertie to baik any rolls, biskettis, or wastalls for their
awin use to sell through the touu, and that under the pain of forty
shillings Scots to be paid to the boxmaster be ilk contravener hereof
toties quoties, for the use of the poore.
ANENT BUYING WHEAT FROM
STRANGERS.
12th February, 1691.—The
said day, by pluralitie of voyces, it is statute and ordained that it
sail be noways leasome nor lawful to any frieman of the said traid to
buy any wheat or rye be himselff from any extraniner or any other
merchant within the said burgh arriving thereat, but the same stuff
shall be bocht be the deacon of the craft for the tyme in name and to
the utilitie of the haill brethren thereof except the deacon refuse, and
that under the failzie of twenty shillings Scots for ilk boll that shall
be bocht to be paid to the boxmaster of the said baxter traid for the
tym for his contravention without exemption, and this to stand
unalterable in all tyme cuming.
ANENT THE BAKING OF
BANNOCKS.
25th November, 1678.—The
said day the traid statute and ordained that none of the craft baik
plack bannaks of oatmeal or pairings under the failzie of four pounds
toties quoties, and that none suffer the same to be baikin within their
baikhouses under the said failzie.
ANENT HAVING MORE THAN ONE
SHOP.
24th November, 1685.—The
said day it is strictly statute and ordained that whatsomever frieman of
the baxter traid that has more stocks or shops than ane, and that sells
breed in ane place more than what by the calling sail be called ane
stock or shop, the person guilty sail pay to the boxmaster of the craft
four pounds Scots for the first fault, and so to be double the toties
quoties, and this to stand unalterable in all tyme cuming. [This act was
repeatedly re-enacted for the purpose evidently of providing openings
for new members.]
ANENT BAKING PIES.
18th July, 1694.—The
traid ordains that no frieman sail baik pyes or taarts or pudens for
less than forty pennies or three shillings, and wha contravenes to pay
into ther box fortie shillings Scots toties quoties, and this to stand
unalterable.
ANENT SELLING BISCUITS ON
THE STREET.
4th April, 1716.—The said
day the baxter traid by ane voice nem. con. enacted and ordained that in
all tyme cuming no members of this incorporation, either by themselves,
servants, or others whomsoever in their or either of their names,
presume to sell ony bisckit through the town, or any other sort of bread
whatsomever in tyme cuming under the failizie tones quoties of four
pounds Scots besides confiscation of the bread so offered to be sold,
and this to remain unalterable in all tyme cuming.
ANENT EXTRAORDINARY
DRINKING.
5th February, 1717.—The
said day the traid taking to serious consideration the great abuses that
hath been committed many years bygane by extraordinary drinking on
entrants, for the remeede of which in tyme cuming doe hereby statute and
ordain that no say maister chosen by the said traid shall have liberty
to drink upon any entrant in any tyme thereafter under the penalty of
ten merks Scots money.
ANENT FEMALE PASTRY
BAKERS.
12th April, 172G.—The
said day the baxter traid taking to their consideration the great loss
sustained by this traid through several women within this town thus
working in their own houses plum cake, seid cake, sugar biscuit, and
other pastry, and bringing the same to the several bakehouses of the
freemen of this traid to be by them fired, and which pastry they
thereafter sell and vend through the town, for remeid whereof for the
future, the said traid hereby statutes and ordains that no freeman of
this traid in time coming shall give the use of his oven for firing the
above pastrie so wrocht as aforesaid being for sale, and that under the
penalty of ten merks Scots.
ANENT THE NUMBER OF
APPRENTICES.
17th July, 1732.—
Abstract—That no master have serving him more than three apprentices at
one and the same time; no member to take a second until three years of
the former apprentice's time be expired; that no member take in an
apprentice until he (the master) has been five years a freeman.
ANENT ADMISSION OF
BURGESSES OF GUILD.
11th May,
1738.—Abstract—It was statute and ordained that in all time to cum any
member or members of the corporation who shall be admitted burgesses of
Guild shall notwithstanding their being so admitted Burgesses of Guild
be entitled to, and have the full exercise of their trade and employment
without the least molestation. [This Act was cancelled by order of the
Magistrates.]
ANENT THE BAKER'S DOZEN.
27th October, 1772.—The
said day the traid taking under their consideration a practice which has
of late prevailed among the members thereof in regard to the way and
manner practised by them in disposing upon and selling of bread, by
allowing to their customers and others who purchased from them at the
rate of thirteen for the dozen of small bread, and so on in proportion,
it is hereby statute and ordained that any member doing so shall be
declared incapable of holding office, &c.
ANENT GIFTS OF SWEETIE
LOAVES.
18th August,
1777.—Abstract—It is ordained that all members of the craft charge their
customers and others who may employ them one penny sterling for each
roast, tart, pudding, and pye that shall be roasted, fired, and prepared
in their oven ; one penny halfpenny sterling the dozen for dry bread,
and four pennies sterling for casting and firing the pound weight of
seed cake, and the one half of the said sum when only fired, and they do
hereby abolish their former practice of complimenting their customers
with sweetie loaves or any kind of loaves whatsoever at Christmas or at
any other time of the year. [All the members present –eighteen in
number—signed this Act.]
From an entry in the
Council Register in 1674, it would appear as if the Aberdeen bakers had
not been giving satisfaction to the inhabitants. In that year "Alexander
Bruce, baker in Edinburgh, was allowed to supply the inhabitants with
bread, and admitted a burgess on account of the bakers of the town being
deficient in making good bread."
The price of wheat and
flour was fixed by the Trade at intervals when a change was deemed
necessary, and the deacon had also power to regulate the quantities that
were to be allocated to each master baker. In 1634, the Trade assumed
the function of ordering each baker to have a separate mark for his
bread, and two of the members were appointed to "go through the town to
tak imposition of insufficient bread." The following are a number of
entries as to the prices :—
6th May, 1665.—No flour
to be sold under auchteen shillings the peck.
18th September, 1666.—No
wheat to be bought higher than ten merks the boll, "unless that the
pryce rise."
12th September, 1667.—No
wheat to be bought above seven pounds the boll.
23rd November, 1669.—No
wheat to be purchased above ten merks the boll, and no flour to be sold
under sixteen shillings ilk peck.
13th December, 1670.—No
wheat to be purchased above seven pounds Scots the boll, and no flour to
be sold under eighteen shillings ilk peck.
7th November, 1671.—No
wheat to be sold above seven pounds ilk boll.
4th February, 1673.—No
flour to be sold under sixteen shillings ilk peck.
20th November, 1673.—No
wheat to be bought above six pounds the boll, and rye four pounds ten
shillings the boll.
12th May, 1674.—Flour not
to be sold under twenty shillings Scots ilk peck.
11th September, 1719.—No
wheat to be bought above six pounds Scots each boll, and rye four pounds
and half a merk per boll.
An arrangement was
entered into in 1711 under which a monthly inspection was to take place,
the bakers agreeing to it in the following minute :-
6th February, 1711.—The
deacon gave in ane act of the Town Council anent the weight of bread,
and appointing him to survey the sufficiencie of the barters' bread
monthly, and to report to the magistrates under the respective failizie
therein contained as the said extract of the said act under the hand of
the town-clerk, dated the 16th day of Nay, 1705, and the traid
considering the benefit and justice of the said they hereby ratify and
homologat and confirm the same in the whole circumstances thereof.
The essays which were
prescribed at different periods for entrant bakers give a good
indication of the various kinds of work performed by bakers. Previous to
1669 it is merely stated that the entrant shall "mak ane sufficient
essay," but after that date the articles to be made were, as will be
seen from the following extracts, specifically described :—
14th January, 1669.—The
said day it is statute and ordained that all those who sail enter
frieman of the said traid hereafter sail have for his say, first to peit
the oven, and his say to be ane ait bakin, and a wheat baikin, with ane
pye with six corners, and ane coffine of ane wheat pye with six houssis
with ane bannack of six two shilling quheat bread.
10th February,
1714.—Appoints the petitioner to peet the oven the night before working,
his say is to be to take ane boll of wheat of the growth of the shire of
Aberdeen, and to mill the same, and that for taking off the heit of the
oven, to baik ane batch of oat loaves, as also ane batch of white
loaves, consisting of half ane boll of flour with ane ry consisting of
half ane peck of flour formally wrocht, and ane dish of minced pyes
consisting of nynteen in number; and that he sail tak an exact course of
the oven so that the bread baiken may be baised ; and that he sail tak
up so much watter to each batch as may fully serve without addition ;
all this to be performed in the deacon's baikhous.
14th September,
1719.—Appoints the say to be as follows :—Ane boll of wheat of the
growth of the shire of Aberdeen to be milled and dressed be himself :
half ane boll of flour thereof to be boutted and baiken be him in white
loaves well baken, baised, and crusted with ane bannock of six two
shilling loaves; and also ane batch of oat loaves consisting of half ane
boll of meal, and ane pye, consisting of eight houses, containing six or
eight fowls; and ane large pudding to fill ane six pound plate; all to
be formally wrocht, and to peet the oven before working the same.
17th July, 1781.—Appoints
the essay to be ane boll of wheat to be dressed by himself, ane half
thereof to be baked in loaves well baked, and crusted with a bannock of
nine two penny loaves; six pecks of meal in oat loaves; a florentine of
fowls; a florentine of beef; and a dish of tarts, seventeen in the dish
of preserves and prunes, two feet diameter, the whole to be formally
wrocht, well baked, and seasoned with his own hand the liquor and
seasoning to be taken up at once without any addition, which essay to be
wrocht in the deacon's bakehouse, the meat to be seasoned and the oven
peated the night before working.
8th March, 1796.—The
essay appointed to be a bannock of eighteen two penny loaves from a
batch to be well crusted and the seasoning and liquor to be taken up at
once ; to make a dish of seventeen tarts prunes and preserves two feet
diameter; two florentines of eight hens in two plates; two apple pies
and two florentines of mutton; two dozen of cheese cakes, to be wrocht
in the deacon's bakehouse.
9th November, 1808.—Essay
appointed be six two penny loaves from a batch to be well crusted and
the seasoning and liquor to be taken at once, which he obliges himself
to execute with his own hands.
It was the custom in the
Baker Trade to make a meal of the essay after it had been duly inspected
and found sufficient. The essay at present prescribed is similar to the
one last mentioned.
If the number of
convictions recorded in the books of this Trade is to be taken as a
criterion of the general conduct of the bakers, it must be acknowledged
that strict adherence to the letter of the law could not have been a
cardinal virtue among them in olden days. The craft met for the
transaction of business far more frequently than any of the others—once
or twice a week as a rule, the principal business being to fix the price
of bread and to punish offenders. Their meetings appear to have been of
a statutory character, as not unfrequently the minute runs—"The said day
the court met and adjourned." The following are a few out of the
numerous convictions recorded :—
12th February, 1691.—The
said day the boys and prentisses under subscribend enacted themselves
not to play at dyce nor cards, nor to keep uncivil and begarly company
in tyme hereafter, under the failzie of forty shillings, toties quoties.
[Follow the names of a number of boys.]
4th April, 1694.—The said
John Marishall, prentiss to James Douglass, was amerciat in twentie
shillings, to be payt to the boxmaster, for his playing at the cairts,
and was ordained to pay other fortie shillings in case he be found in
the like transgression which he hereby adheres to.
28th January, 1697.—The
said day John Buchan and William Donald was amerciat ilk ane of them in
twentie shillings Scots for abusing ane another in presence of the
deacon, and both of them oblige themselves not to abuse ane anither
either be word or deed under the failzie of four pounds Scots, to be
payt for the use of the poore in case any contravene their presents by
and attour what other censure the craft shall put on them.
17th September, 1634.—The
said day Andrew Thomson, prentiss to Alexander Williamsone, baxter, is
convicit in ane unlaw of ane rex dollar, to be payt by him to the craft,
for nicht walking, shouting, and debording on the nicht when people wess
in their beddes, as was clearly proven, and whilk he could not deny, and
gif he be found doing the like hereafter sail doubill unlaw.
17th October, 1717.—The
said day George Watson, servant to John Kelly, enacted himself to attend
upon the public worship profest be the Protestant religion upon the
Lord's day when able to goe thereto, and noe ways to be found vaging or
straying either alone or in company on the Sabbath dayes in tym
hereafter in tyme of divine service, and that under what penalty the
baxter traid of this place for the tyme shall be pleased to
impose.—(Signed) GEORGE WATSON.
18th February, 1729.--The
same day David Lindsay, gave in a complaint to the traid that David
Moncrieff, contrary to the oath taken at his admission, had revealed
some of the secrets of this trade ; as also that the said David
Moncrieff has aspersed the said David Lindsay by saying that when any
meal was given in to him to be bakin the said David Lindsay took by two
pecks thereof for his own use, upon which the said David Moncrieff being
examined, he absolutely refused that ever he uttered any such
expression. In testimony whereof he hath signed hereto—(Signed) DAVID
MONCRIEFF.
19th December, 1766.—The
traide having met and taken into their serious consideration the
dangerous and audacious riot and tumult which happened in this burgh
upon the night betwixt Thursday last and this morning, which tends not
only to the subversion of all good order and the danger and hurt of all
the inhabitants, but also threatens this burgh with a real scarcity of
provisions by deterring the farmers and others dealing in victual from
bringing meal into the mercat, which has hitherto, by the great care and
vigilance of the magistrates and corporations, been more plentifully
supplied, and at a lower price than most other parts in Britain, and
though some of those who are present at these lawless insurrections may
not be active therein, yet by their presence they increase the disorder,
therefore, they unanimously resolved that such of their apprentices,
journeymen, or servants as shall be found in any mob or tumult within
this burgh or neighbourhood shall be deprived of the libertie of
entering freemen, and they further resolved that no person so offending
shall at any time hereafter be employed by any freeman of Aberdeen, and
that each of the masters will do their utmost to discover and inform
upon such of their servants as shall be concerned in any riots or
tumults hereafter, that they may be convicted and punished according to
the law.
In addition to
maintaining a "dask" or loft in one of the city churches, as well as in
the Trinity Chapel, the bakers, as will be seen from the following
minute, erected a seat in the old St. Paul's Chapel (Episcopalian) :—
17th February, 1725.—The
said day the baxter traid taking to their consideration that this traid
mostly are hearers of the Word of God in St Paul's Chappell in Aberdeen,
and that the said traid have no place for their accommodation in the
said chappell, they hereby authorise and empower their present deacon
and masters to agree with a sufficient workman for building a seat for
the said traid in the said chappell upon the public charge of the baxter
traid, for which this shall be warrant.
The estate of Kincorth,
Nellfield Cemetery, Garden Neuk, Gilcomston; Butts of Footdee, and feu-duties
in Tannery Street are the principal properties belonging to this
Incorporation.
Underneath the emblazoned
arms of the Baker Trade painted on their "brod," in the Hall, is the
following panegyric on the craft :—
When from the
shades of Night and Chaos came,
This vast round Globe, and Heav'n's all beauteous frame,
The same dread Word that stretch'd the ample sky,
And bad bright Orbs in myriads rowl on high,
Commanded from the fertile womb of Earth,
The vegetable kinds to take their Birth;
Each various fruit: and chief the gen'rous grain,
The favour'd race of Mankind to sustain.
Obedient at his call each springing field,
Verdant with Life abundant Harvests yield,
Which, ev'n tho' ripe, were crude in some degree,
For Heav'n provides, but man the cook must be:
By careful art, and all-correcting fire,
Refin'd and Bak'd, they answer'd each desire;
Diffusing strength thro' all the human frame,
And aiding, with glad-warmth, the vital flame.
Hence comes the swain's brisk mein and healthful air,
And that gay bloom that crowns the sprightly fair;
Then, let the BAKER with due praise be crown'd,
And Floreant Pistores echo round
So old, so universal is our Trade,
So useful, that the staff of life is Bread
And, what immediately does life sustain,
Of ev'ry art the precedence should gain.
In various forms we work the yielding paste,
To strength adapt it, and to curious taste
And while we rev'rence Heav'n's Omnific Pow'r,
We imitate His works in miniature;
As from the formless chaos of the paste,
Which, with fermenting fluids we conjest,
Loves rise, like worlds, from our creating hand,
And various figures rise at our command.
O'er our fair Labours, artful we diffuse,
Choice cordial sweets, and rich ambrosial dews,
Consign'd to the deep oven's glowing cell,
They, in their mimic Purgatory, dwell,
Till time suffice, then forth they come releas'd,
Fragrant to smell and grateful to the taste.
In mathematick form the pye we rear,
Which, like some sumptuous castle does appear,
Beasts, fowls, and fruits, the Magazines supply,
Which round the crusted walls we fortify.
Magnificently roof'd it stands in state,
Till scal'd and plunder'd by some potentate.
Without our aid, what regal table's spread?
What Hero fights without the strength of Bread?
Round the wide world, our labour still is dear,
To soldier, sailer, peasant, prince, and peer.
The priest and lawyer's vocal lungs we aid,
And help the merchant to pursue his trade.
What Nymph so lovely, or of birth so high,
But will to pastry her soft hands apply;
And who the occupation shall despise,
Which ev'n the fair disdain not to practise.
But higher yet, our honours we pursue,
Angels ate bread, and angels bak'd it too
Abram, the friend of God, in Mamre's plain,
Three angels once did kindly entertain.
Fine flour his princely spouse did knead and bake,
And social they, of human food partake.
And once Elijah, wand'ring in the wild,
By haughty Iezebel's proud threats exil'd,
As stretch'd beneath a juniper he lay,
Slumbring and faint, and far from human way,
An angel, Heav'y-descended, form'd a cake,
And to divine refreshment bid him wake.
Tho' we have angel's sanction, yet our cause
Fresh lawrels from the prince of angels draws;
When, here on earth, he taught us how to pray,
Give us our daily Bread he bid us say;
Nor is it foreign to our honour'd trade,
That with five loaves, five thousand souls He fed.
He too, the mystick presence did consign
Of his own flesh and blood, to bread and wine,
Ev'n He, by whom the numerous worlds were made,
Partook on Earth the sustenance of Bread;
And after his ascention from the grave;
When to the twelve He his third presence gave,
Them fishing on Tiberian waves, He call'd,
And to the shore, their loaded netts they haul'd;
When to a fire, and bread thereon prepar'd
By His own hands, which He amongst them shard.
While thus with noblest Trades we boast our part,
Nor yield to any in the sphere of Art,
May He, the Sun of Righteousness, display,
On all our actions his celestial ray;
May we in peace our daily bread possess,
And smiling Providence our labours bless;
Contented may we live, and die resign'd,
And, in the skies, a crown of glory find.
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