SIR,  
MY Lord mayor and the Aldermen his Brethren, upon serious Consideration, for the good of the City, has thought fit to set out an Order against Making, Buying, Selling, or Flinging, of Squibs; being an unlawful Trade: and not only so, but they have Commanded the Citizens of this City, that they do not permit their Children, or Servants, to Make, Throw, or Fire, any Fire-Works, in the Streets or out of their Houses, Balconies, or other places; nor that they suffer any Persons to come into, or remain in their Houses who may be guilty of such Offences. For my Lord mayor and the Aldermen his Brethren are fully resolved to use the uttermost of their Power with all severity, against those who will not obey: and therefore out of a tender care that not any one should come to trouble through ignorance, They have Commanded the Beadles of every Ward, to go from House to House, to declare their Intentions. And it is to be hoped, that every sincere Christian will be obedient, when they know they are Commanded thereunto: for no Man can pled ignorance, for all Men know how hurtful and injurious they be. And there's not any Man can think that my Lord mayor has not power to punish those that hurt and destroy the King's Subjects: I can assure you, He has a power( or else how should He keep the Peace?) for He represents the King in the City. And it's a shane that in a Christian City there should be such Hellish-practices, as is not acted in any City in the known World besides: And is it not a shane that we who should be the best, are worst? For would it not be a fine sight for to see rich Carpets hung out, and Persons of Quality well Dressed in the Balconies, and other People standing in Ranges in good order, and People passing to and fro without fear? this would be a joy and comfort: but as the City is made now, I can compare it to nothing but Hell: your Windows taken down, and Men tucked up flinging Serpents one at another, as if they would destroy each other; I can compare them to nothing but Furies spitting Fire one at another: methinks it's a shane for rational Men to imitate the Devil, to burn and destroy. But that which grieves me worst of all is, that you have corrupted Women-kind, for they should be Innocent, Sincere, and Modest, and Tender-hearted, and afraid to do any thing that is injurious; and I am sorry their Natures should be changed; but it's fo● want of Consideration; and I dont doubt any will be guilty of this Crime, when they consider it. And there's several Honourable Citizens, has  told me, that they have neither suffered Friends nor Servants to fling any Squibs out of their Houses, no, not Lords; and they are resolved to continue in the same mind; and they will be Wise: and I hope you will all do the same. I find your Beadles are much to blame, for they have not obeied their Orders; for I have enquired, and find but here and there one that has had notice: and therefore, I am resolved to be very diligent in this matter myself; for I have great hopes of the Young-Men( and I doubt not their obedience, if the Magistrates are Zealous, and the Officers behave themselves like Men) for they all carry themselves very civilly towards me; and I hope there's not any one but what will do the same: for God and good Me● hate Evil: and I am not an Enemy to any thing, but what's hurtful either to Soul or Body▪ and I can assure you, that this Custom of flinging Squibs, is more injurious to the soul than you can imagine, by reason it makes Youth bold and delight in mischief, the more mischie they do, the more they rejoice, Devil like: and this gives the Devil great advantages and I doubt not, but by God's Grace, you will find great benefit by desisting: which the Lord grant, Amen, Amen.  
So I rest your Friend and Souls Well-wisher elinor JAMES