1656, James Howell, Some Sober Inspections Made Into the Carriage and Consults of the Late Long-Parliament, whereby Ocaſsion is Taken to ſpeak of Parliaments in former Times, and of Magna Charta, with Some Reflexes Upon Government in General, pages 128-129:
[…] the Seamſtreſs brought in her ſilver thimble, the Chamber-maid her Bodkin , the Cook his ſilver ſpoon , the Vintner his Bowl into the common Treaſury of War and they who contribured to ſo pious a work, were invited more then others in ſome Churches to come to the Holy Communion in the very time of adminiſtration; […]
They are seamstresses, who have plied the daily and nightly needle in the service of master tailors and close-fisted contractors, until now it is almost time for each to hem the borders of her own shroud.
