Another race the following spring supplies; Pope's Homer. FLORAL DIRECTORY. Cape Aletris. Veltheimia glauca. November 9. The Dedication of the Church of St. Lord Mayor's Day. To the Editor of the Every-Day Book. Enclosed are official printed copies Wednesday the Ninth Day of November next to be accompanied by his Brethren the Aldermen, and attended by the Livery of the several Companies of this City, to go from Guildhall, exactly at Eleven o'clock in the Forenoon, to Blackfriars Stairs, and from thence by Water to Westminster there to be sworn, and at his return will land at Blackfriars Stairs, and pass from thence to Fleet Bridge, through Ludgate Street, Saint Paul's Church Yard, Cheapside, and down King Street to the Guildhall, to Dinner: Now, for the more decent and orderly Performance of the said Solemnity, and for preventing any Tumults and Disorders which may happen by the great Concourse of People, These are in his Majesty's Name to require you to cause the Constables within your Ward to keep a good and sufficient double Watch and Ward of able Men well weaponed on that Day, as well as at the landing Places as in the Streets through which the said Solemnities are to said Constables to preserve the said pass; and you are required to charge the Streets and Passages free and clear from all Stops and Obstructions, and not per therein; and if any Coachman, Draymit any Coach, Cart, or Dray to stand man, or Carman refuse to move out of the said Streets, that they carry such Coachman, Drayman, or Carman to one of the Compters, and such Coach, Dray, or Cart to the Green Yard, and take their Numbers that they may be prosecuted according to Law. And although every Person is bound by the Law to take Notice of all general Acts of Parliament, yet that there may not be the least colour or pretence of Ignorance or Inadvertency, these are also to require you to cause your Beadle to go from House to House, and acquaint the several Inhabitants, that by an Act of Parliament made in the ninth and tenth years of the Reign of King William the Third (which is made perpetual,) It is enacted that no Person of To the Aldermen of the Ward of what degree or quality soever shall make, FORASMUCH as WILLIAM VENABLES, sell, or expose to sale, any Squibs, Ser Esquire, lately elected Lord Mayor of pents, or other Fireworks; or any Cases this City for the Year ensuing, is on Moulds, or other Implements whatsoever November 2, 1825. Precept to the Aldermen. By the MAYOR. S. G. for making such Fireworks, nor shall permit any Person to cast or throw any Squibs, Serpents, or other Fireworks from out of, or in their Houses, Lodgings, or Habitation, nor shall any Person whatsoever cast, throw, or fire any such Squibs, Serpents, or other Fireworks, in, out of, or into any Street, House, or Passage; every such Offence being adjudged by the said Act to be a common Nuisance, and every Offender for every such single Offence being liable to the several Penalties inflicted by the said Act. And you are to enjoin your Constables and Watchmen carefully to observe and apprehend all such Persons as shall presume to offend against the said Act, or shall commit any Riots, Tumults, or other Disorders whatsoever, and bring them before me or some other of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace within this City, that they may be punished according to the said Act, and as the Law di rects. And that you cause Notice to be given to the Inhabitants of your Ward to adorn the Fronts and Balconies of their Houses with their best Hangings or other Ornaments, and that they cause the Streets before their respective Houses to be cleanly swept and well paved and amended, whereof the Scavengers are also to take Notice, and to be warned that they see the same duly and effectually performed. And if any Constable, Beadle, or other Officer shall be found remiss and negligent in their Duty, in not apprehending Precept to the Companies To the Master and Wardens of the By the MAYOR. Company of WHEREAS the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor Elect and Court of AlderWestminster, on Wednesday the 9th day men have appointed at their return from of November next, to land at Blackfriars Stairs, and pass from thence to Fleet Street, through Ludgate Street, to St. Paul's Church Yard, down Cheapside and King-street, to the Guildhall to Dinner: be in your Barge by Eleven o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, his Lordship being resolved to be going by that time; and that as well in your going as return you will cause your Barge to go in order according to your precedency; and that such of your Company as walk in the Streets land at Blackfriars Stairs aforesaid; and that you be early and regular in taking and keeping your Standings. Dated the Eleventh day of October, 1825. These are therefore to require you to WOODTHORPE. Printed by A. Tay'or, 40, Casingball Street. The procession of the corporation of London to Westminster on the occasion of the new lord mayor being sworn into office, is familiar to most residents in the metropolis, and the journals annually record the modern processions and festivals in the Guildhall, sufficiently to acquaint those who have not witnessed them with the nature of the proceedings. It is not purposed then, for the present, to describe what passes in our own times, but to acquaint the citizens and all who feel an interest in ancient customs, with something of the splendour attendant upon the ceremony in old times. In 1575," William Smythe, citezen and haberdasher of London," wrote "A breffe description of the Royall Citie of London, capital citie of this realme of England." This manuscript which is in existence sets forth as follows: other of the mayor's own proper arms Then a set of hautboys playing, and after them certain wufflers, in velvet coats and chains of gold, with white staves in their hands; then the Pageant of Triumph richly decked, whereupon by certain figures and writings, some matter touching justice and the office of a magistrate is represented. Then sixteen trumpeters, eight and eight, having banners of the mayor's company. Then certain wyfflers in velvet coats and chains, with white staves as before. Then the bachelors, two and two, in long gowns, with crimson hoods on their shoulders of satin; which bachelors are chosen every year of the same company, that the mayor is of, (but not of the living) and serve as gentlemen on that and other festival days, to wait on the mayor, being in number according to the quantity of the company, sometimes sixty, or one hundred. After them twelve trumpeters more, with banners of the mayor's company; then the drum and flute of the city, and an ensign of the mayor's company; and after, the waits of the city in blue gowns, red sleeves and caps, every one having a silver collar about his neck. Then they of the livery in their long gowns, every one having his hood on his left shoulder, half-black and half-red, the number of them according to the greatness of the company whereof they are. After them follow sheriff's-officers, and then the mayor's officers, with other officers of the * Whiffler, Mr. Douce says, in his “ Illustrations of Shakspeare," is a term undoubtedly borrowed from whiffle, another name for a fife or small flute; for whifflers were originally those "The day of St. Simon and St. Jude, the mayor enters into his state and office. The next day he goes by water to Westminster in most triumphant-like manner, his barge being garnished with the arms of the city; and near it a ship-boat of the queen's majesty being trimmed up and rigged like a ship of war, with divers pieces of ordnance, standards, pennons, and targets of the proper arms of the said mayor, of his company, and of the merchants' adventurers, or of the staple, or of the company of the new trades; next before him goeth the barge of the livery of his own company, decked with their own proper arms; then the bachelors' barge; and so all the companies in London, in order, every one having their own proper barge, with the arms of their company. And so passing along the Thames, ne landeth at Westminster, where he taketh his oath in the exchequer before the judge there; which done, he returneth by water as aforesaid, and landeth at Paul's wharf, where he, and the rest of the aldermen take their horses, and in great pomp pass through Cheapside. And first of all cometh two great standards, one having the arms of the city, and the other the arms of the mayor's company: next them two drums and a flute, then an ensign of the city, and then about lxx or lxxx poore men marching two and two, in blue gowns, with red sleeves and caps, every one bearing a pike and a target, whereon is painted the arms of all went first as whifflers did; and he quotes a chathem that have been mayors of the same company that this new mayor is of. Then two banners, one of the king's arms the who preceded armies or processions, as fifers or pipers: in process of time the term whifter, which had been always used in the sense of a fifer, came to signify any person who went before in a procession. He observes, that Minshew defines him to be a club or staff-bearer and that it appears, whifflers carried white staves, as in the annual feast of the printers, founders, and ink-makers, described by Randle Holme. Mr. Archdeacon Nares, in his Glossary, cites Grose's mention of the whifflers at Norwich, who make way for the corporation by flourish. ing their swords. A friend informs me, tnat the dexterity of the Norwich whifflers in turning their swords to every possible direction is amazing. Mr. Archdeacon Nares remarks, that in the city of London, young freemen, who march at the head of their proper companies on the lord Mayor's day, sometimes with flags, were called whifflers, or bachelor whifflers, not be cause they cleared the way, but because they racter in the old play of the City Match, saying, "I look'd the next lord mayor's day to see you o' the livery, or one of the bachelor whifflers." Hone on Mysteries city, as the common serjeant, and the chamberlain; next before the mayor goeth the sword-bearer, having on his head the cap of honour, and the sword of the city in his right hand, in a rich scabbard, set with pearl, and on his left hand goeth the common crier of the city, with his great mace on his shoulder all gilt. The mayor hath on a long gown of scarlet, and on his left shoulder a hood of black velvet, and a rich collar of gold or SS. about his neck, and with him rideth the old mayor also, in his scarlet gown, hood of velvet, and a chain of gold about his neck. Then all the aldermen, two and two, (among whom is the recorder,) all in scarlet gowns; those that have been mayors have chains of gold, the others have black velvet tippets. The two sheriffs come last of all, in their black scarlet gowns and chains of gold. In this order they pass along through the city to the Guildhall, where they dine that day, to the number of one thousand persons, all at the charge of the mayor and the two sheriffs. This feast costeth 4007., whereof the mayor payeth 2001. and each of the sheriffs 100%. Immediately after dinner, they go to St. Paul's church, every one of the aforesaid poor men bearing staff, torches, and targets, which torches are lighted when it is late, before they come from evening prayer." In more ancient times, the procession to and from Westminster was by land; until in 1453, sir John Norman built a sumptuous barge at his own expense, for the purpose of going by water, whereupon watermen made a song in his praise, beginning, "Row thy boat, Norman." The twelve companies emulating their chief have, from that period, graced the Thames on lord mayor's day. The first account of this annual exhibition known to have been published, was written by George Peele, for the inauguration of sir Wolstone Dixie, knight, on the 29th of October, 1585. On that occasion, as was customary to the times, there were dramatic representations in the procession of an allegorical character. Children were dressed to personify the city, magnanimity, loyalty, science, the country, and the river Thames. They also represented a soldier, a sailor, and nymphs, with appropriate speeches. The show opened with a moor on the back of a lynx. On sir Thomas Middleton's Dr. Drake's Shakspeare and his Times, vol. ii. mayoralty, in 1613, the solemnity is described as unparalleled for the cost, art, and magnificence of the shows, pageants chariots, morning, noon, and night tr umphs. In 1655, the city pageants, afte. a discontinuance of about fourteen years, were revived. Edmund Gayton, the author of the description for that year, says, that "our metropolis for these planetary pageants, was as famous and renowned in foreign nations, as for their faith, wealth, and valour." In the show of 1659, an European, an Egyptian, and a Persian, were personated. On lord mayor's day, 1671, the king, queen, and duke of York, and most of the nobility being present, there were "sundry shows, shapes, scenes, speeches and songs, in parts;" and the like, in 1672, and 1673, when the king again "graced the triumphs." The king, queen, duke and duchess of York, prince Rupert, the duke of Monmouth, foreign ambassadors, the chief nobility, and secretary of state, were at the celebration of lord mayor's day, in 1674, when there were "emblematical figures, artful pieces of architecture, and rural dancing, with pieces spoken on each pageant." The printed description of these processions are usually entitled “ Triumphs," though they are more commonly called "The London Pageants," all of them are scarce, and some of such extreme rarity, as to bear a price at the rate of two and three guineas a leaf. The description of sir Patience Ward's show, on the 29th of October, 1680, composed by Thomas Jordan, is an interesting specimen of the setting out and pageantry of this procession. The lord mayor being of the livery of the merchant-tailors' company, at seven o'clock in the morning, liverymen of the first rank, appointed to conduct the business of the day, assembled at merchanttailors' hall, to meet the masters, wardens, and assistants, in their gowns, faced with foyns, (the skin of the martin.) In the second rank, others in gowns faced with budge, (lambs'-skin, with the wool dressed outwards,) and livery - hoods. third rank, a number of foyns-bachelors, and forty budge-bachelors, both attired in scarlet hoods and gowns. Sixty gentlemen-ushers, in velvet coats and chains of gold, bearing white staves. Thirty more in plush and buff, bearing colours and banners. Thirty-six of the king's trumpeters, with silver trumpets, headed by the serjeant-trumpeter, he wearing two scarfs, one the lord mayor's, and the other In the the company's colours. The king's drum- some of the attendants, take barge at the major followed by four of the king's west-end of the wharf; the court of asdrums and fifes. Seven other drums and sistants' livery, and the best of the gentwo fifes, wearing vests of buff, with black tlemen-ushers taking barge at the eastbreeches and waste scarfs. Two city end. The rest of the ushers, with the marshals on horseback, with attendants. foyns and the budge-bachelors, remain The foot-marshal, with a rich broad ashore, with others, to await the return of shoulder-scarf, to put them in rank and his lordship, who proceeds with several file, attended by six others. The fence city companies by water, and is rowed master, with attendants, bearing bright all along by the Strand to Westminster, broadswords drawn. Poor pensioners, a pleasure boat with great guns aboard with gowns and caps, bearing standards saluting him on the way. At New Palace and banners. A troop of poor persons, Stairs they disembark, and making a lane in azure gowns and caps. One hundred to the hall, the lord mayor passes along more with javelins and targets, bearing to take the oath and go through the usual the arms of their benefactors. Being all ceremonies. These being completed, he assembled, they are by the foot-marshal's makes a liberal donation to the poor of judgment, arranged into six divisions, Westminster, re-embarks with all his reranked out by two and two. The first tinue, and being rowed back to Blackdivision contains the ensigns of the com- friars Stairs, he lands there under beat of pany, followed by the poor company of drum and a salute of three volleys from pensioners. Four drums and one fife. the artillery company in their martial Pensioners in coats as before described. ornaments, some in buff, with head-pieces, Persons of worth, each bearing a standard many being of massy silver. From or banner. Four trumpets. Two mer- Blackfriars they march before the lord chant-tailor's ensigns, bearing their sup. mayor and aldermen through Cheapside porters and crest, Six gentlemen-ushers. to Guildhall. The pensioners and banThe budge-bachelors, marching in mea. ners who went not to Westminster, being sured order. Second divison. Six trum- set in order to march, the foot-marshal in pets. Two gentlemen, bearing the coats the rear of the artillery company, leads of arms of the city, and the merchant- the way along by the channel up Ludgatetailors' company, Eight Gentlemen, wear- hill, through Ludgate, into St. Paul's ing gold chains. The foyns-bachelors, Churchyard, and so into Cheapside, Third division. Two gentlemen in velvet where his lordship is entertained by the coats with banners. Ten gentlemen- first pageant, consisting of a large stage ushers in coats and chains of gold, as be- with the coat armour of the merchantfore described. A large body of the tailors' company, eminently erected, conlivery in their gowns and livery-hoods, sisting of a large tent royal, gules, fringed followed by "all lord mayors in the po- and richly garnished, or, lined, faced, tential mood." In their rear divers of the and doubled ermine. This stage is city trumpets. Two gentlemen bearing winged or flanked by two other stages, the arms of the city and the lord mayor. bearing two excellent figures of lively Gentlemen-ushers. The court of assist- carved camels, the supporters to the comants. Four drums. Six trumpets. Three pany's coat. On the back of one camel, gallants, bearing the banners of the dia- a black native Indian, in a golden robe, a dem. The king's, queen's, and city's purple mantle fringed with gold, pearl ensigns, attended by six gentlemen as pendants in his ears, coronet of gold with pages. The masters and wardens of the feathers, and golden buskins laced with merchant-tailors' company. Thus formed scarlet ribbon, holds a golden bridle in they march from merchant-tailors' hall to his left, and a banner of the company, the lord mayor's house, where his lordship representing Treasure in his right hand. and the aldermen take horse, according to On the other camel, a West Indian, in a their degree, and the whole body proceed robe of silver, scarlet mantle, diamonds in state to Guildhall. Being met at the pendant from his ears, buskins of silver, gate by the old lord mayor, and there at- laced with purple ribbons, a golden crown tired with the gown, fur hood, and scarf, feathered, holds a silver bridle in his left, and guarded by knights, esquires, and and a banner of the lord mayor, repregentlemen, they all march through King- senting Traffic, in his right hand. On street down to Three-Crane-wharf, where one of the camel stages four figures sit on the lord mayor and aldermen, discharging pedestals, one at each corner, represent |