that John Lyon (hall be (lain, and we have our re-vange without appearing in the matter.' All his brethren complied with this rcqueft. The meeting was held of the mariners, when John Lyon and Gilbert Matthew explained the will of the earl, who propofed, by a hew ftatute, to lay a tax on the navigation of the Lys and the Scheld. It appeared very burdenfome, and too great a ftretch of power, particularly to the fix brothers of Gilbert, who were more firm and unanimous in their oppofition to it than all the reft. John Lyon, their deacon, was fecretly rejoiced at this ; for he was defirous of maintaining all their ancient rights and privileges, and flattered himfelf that the brothers were in his favour, while they were aftingjuft the contrary. John Lyon reported to the earl the anfwer of the mariners, adding, c My lord, it is a thing which cannot be done : much evil may refult from it : ' let things remain as they are, and do not attempt to introduce any novelties.' This anfwer was not very pleafing to the earl, for he perceived that if the impoft were laid, and collected in the manner he had been told, he fhould have received every year from fix to feven thoufand florins of revenue : he therefore made no reply, but did not think lefs upon it, and had thofe mariners whom John Lyon found rebellious fued by aftions and otherwife. On the other hand, Gilbert Matthew came to the earl end his council, to fay that John Lyon did not aft Well in this bufinefs -, that if he had his office, he would fo manage the mariners that the earl of Flanders fhould have this revenue hereditarily. The 100