affectioned lust for a small time; so shall they both see and feel the great benefits thereby growing, and escape the punishment for the offence appointed.
And for that the commodities may in some part more plainly appear, hereafter followeth an estimate of the beefs [oxen] that were killed and uttered in the City of London and its suburbs for a year; and what number of them might be spared in the said year, by one day's abstinence [from flesh] in a week: by which also may be conjectured, what may be spared in the whole realm.
An estimate of what beefs [oxen] might
be spared in a year, in the City of
London, by one day's abstinence
[from flesh] in a week.
First. In the year are 52 weeks, for every week,
seven days: in all, 365. The Lent, with Friday and
Saturday in every week, and the other accustomed
Fish Days, being collected together, extend to 153.
So in the year there are 153 fish days and 211 flesh days,
that is 58 flesh days more than fish days.
So the year, being 52 weeks; abate 7 for the time of Lent, wherein no beefs [oxen] ought to be killed: and there remaineth but 45 weeks.
Then let us say there be threescore Butchers, that be freemen within the City; and every Butcher to kill weekly, the one with the other, five beefs [oxen] apiece: the same amounteth to 13,500 beefs.
The foreigners in the suburbs, and such as come out of the country to serve the markets in the City; as it is credibly affirmed, kill and utter [sell] in the City weekly, four times so many as the freemen: which amounteth to 54,000.
So joining the beefs uttered by the freemen and foreigners &c. together; they extend to 67,500.
