n of a wicked time when plaiers
wexe so riche that they can build[241] suche houses / As moche I wish also
to our comon beare baitinges vsed on the sabaothe daies.[243]

_Tobacco._

1573. In these daies, the taking-in of the smoke of the Indian herbe
called "Tabaco," by an instrument formed like a litle ladell, wherby it
passeth from the mouth into the hed & stomach, is gretlie taken-vp & vsed
in England, against Rewmes & some other diseases ingendred in the longes &
inward partes, & not without effect / This herbe as yet is not so common,
but that for want thereof diuers do practize for the like purposes with
the Nicetian, otherwise called in latine, "Hyosciamus Luteus," or the
yellow henbane, albeit, not without gret error; for, althoughe that herbe
be a souerene healer of old vlcers & sores reputed incurable outwardly,
yet is not the smoke or vapour thereof so profitable to be receaued
inwardly. The herbe [Tobacco] is comonly of the height of a man,[244]
garnished with great leaues like the paciens,[245] bering seede,
colloured, & of quantity like vnto, or rather lesse then, the fine
margeronie; the herbe it self yerely coming vp also of the shaking of the
seede; the collour of the floure is carnation, resembling that of the
lemmon in forme: the roote yellow, with many fillettes, & therto very
small in comparison, if you respect the substauns of the herbe.[246]

_A monstrous fish._

1573. A monstrous fish is taken in Thenet vpon the xj{th} of July, of 66
foote in length; one of whose eies was a full cart lode, & the diameter or
thickenesse thereof, full two yardes, or 6 of our english feete....

_London Bridge Tower._

1576. The towre on the drawe bridge vpon london bridge is taken downe in
Aprill, being in great decaie; & sone after made a pleasaunt & beautiful
dwelling house / & whereas the heddes of soche as were executed for
treason were wont to be placed vpon this towre, they were now remoued, &
fixed ouer the gate which leadeth from Southwarke into the citie by that
bridge....

_A great Snowstorm._

1578. A Cold winter, & ere long there falleth a great snow in England,
whose driftes, in many places, by reason of a Northest winde, were so depe
that the mere report of them maie seme incredible. It beganne in the 4 of
feb: & held on vntil the 8 of the same moneth; during which time some men
& women, beside cattell, were lost, & not heard of till the snow was
melted & gone, notwithstanding that som