To the Honorable, my especially good Lord,

Sir ROGER MANWOOD, Knight,

Lord Chief Baron of Her MAJESTY'S

Court of the Exchequer.

A decorative headpiece woodcut consisting of two rows of repeating stylized floral or pomegranate motifs. A large historiated woodcut initial "I" begins the first paragraph, featuring the letter entwined with scrolling vines and floral designs.

Because I know that your Lordship is by nature wholly inclined, and in purpose earnestly intent, to relieve the poor; and that not only with hospitality and charity original: "alms", but by various other methods and ways tending to their comfort: having (as it were) dedicated and committed yourself to the help and maintenance of their condition original: "estate"; the social or financial status of a person, as is shown by your expense and labor original: "travel"; derived from "travail," meaning hard work or effort on their behalf. Since you also have a special care for supporting their rights and redressing their wrongs, neither despising their misery original: "calamity" nor yet forgetting their complaints; seeking all means for their improvement, and for the reformation of their disorders, even as a true father to the poor. Finally, because I am a humble member of that commonwealth where your Lordship is a leading figure, I thought this work original: "travel" of mine, on behalf of the poor, the elderly, and the simple-minded original: "simple"; meaning the uneducated or easily deceived, might be very appropriately dedicated to you; for a weak house requires a strong support. In this respect, I thank God for raising up such a mighty friend for them as your Lordship, who possesses such knowledge in our laws, such discretion in government, such experience in these cases, and such authority in the commonwealth; and yet you still deign to stoop to the consideration of these lowly and inferior matters, which bring more care and trouble than worldly prestige original: "estimation".

And since your Lordship knows, or rather practices, the office of a judge, whose duty it is to hear with courtesy and to decide with equity; it must be obvious to you that when punishment exceeds the crime original: "fault", it is to be considered vengeance rather than correction. In which respect I know you spend more time and effort original: "travel" in the conversion and