the town -of Ghent in fuch a maimer with its fold that it would be impoffiblc to fettle it without lofs, was not forry when he heard thefe words, and wifhed they had been ftill ftronger i he continued to fpread fecret rumours in different parts of the town, f that never could the jurifdi&ions or pri-vileges of any town be properly maintained when once offices are put fp. falç.' He Intended this in allufion to Gilbert Matthew, meaning to fay that he had bought the dcaconfhip : he had alfo added a new debt to the navigation, which was greatly againft the franchîtes of Ghent and their ancient; privileges. The earl now received, every year, three or four thoufand francs, befides what he had from ancient cuftom, which caufed many complaints from merchants as well as from the mariners ; infoniuch (hat thofe of Valenciennes, Douay, Lille, Bethune, and Tournay, began to think of giviqg up their commerce with Ghent, by which greater ruin would be brought upon the town, and very foon their franchifes would be fo neglected as to be worth nothing, if no one {food forward in the fupport of them. Gilbert Matthew and the deacon of die fmall craft, who was his relation, had fuch fpecches daily rung in their ears: they knew they came front John Lyon, but they dared not attempt to remedy its for John had pofted white hoods in variotji parts of the town, and had inlifted among them the boldeftand moft outrageous, fo that they were afraid to attack them : befides, Jolp Lyon never went 10»