X. Observations upon ancient Charity Boxes: by John Adey Repton, Esq. F.S.A. In a Letter addressed to Nicholas Carlisle, Esq. F.R.S. Secretary

Extract

Will you allow me to communicate to the Society of Antiquaries the inclosed Papers relating to Charity Boxes? The accompanying drawings are taken from three different churches in Norfolk, and are curious for their contrivances in preventing the money deposited therein from being stolen. They were generally secured by two keys, most probably kept by the two Churchwardens, and although many were “honest men and true,” a few may have had some inclination to finger “the gode red golde;” as in the following quotation from one of the plays of Ben Jonson:

“1 Gyp. On Sundays you rob the poor's-box with your tabor;

The Collectors would do it, you save them a labour.

Pup. Faith, but a little they 'll do it non upstant.”^a