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 scab bard, 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 scar let, 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 4001., 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 triumphs. In 1655, the city pageants, after 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 ambassadors, the chief nobility, and seRupert, the duke of Monmouth, foreign cretary of state, were at the celebration of lord mayor's day, in 1674, when there were "emblematical figures, artful pieces pieces spoken on each pageant." of architecture, and rural dancing, with cessions are usually entitled "Triumphs," The printed description of these prothough they are more commonly called scarce, and some of such extreme rarity, "The London Pageants," all of them are three guineas a leaf. The description of as to bear a price at the rate of two and October, 1680, composed by Thomas sir Patience Ward's show, on the 29th of Jordan, is an interesting specimen of the setting out and pageantry of this procession. The lord mayor being of the livery o'clock in the morning, liverymen of the of the merchant-tailors' company, at seven ness of the day, assembled at merchantfirst rank, appointed to conduct the busiand assistants, in their gowns, faced with tailors' hall, to meet the masters, wardens, second rank, others in gowns faced with foyns, (the skin of the martin.) In the budge, (lambs'-skin, with the wool dressed outwards,) and livery-hoods. In the 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 From 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, reembarks 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. or banner. Four trumpets. Two mer- Blackfriars they march before the lord chant-tailors' 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 division. 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 gentleman 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, à dem. The king's, queen's, and city's purple mantle fringed with gold, pea:l 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 m 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. street down to Three-Crane-wharf, where one of the came! stages four figures sit on e lord mayor and aldermen, discharging pedestals, one at each corner, represent O ing Diligence, Industry, Ingenuity, and Success; on the other camel-stage, in like manner, Mediocrity, Amity, Verity, Variety, all richly habited in silk or sarcenet, bear splendid emblems and banners. The royal tent, or imperial pavilion, between these two stages, is supported on one side by a minister of state representing Royalty, and on the other side by another representing Loyalty; each in rich robes of honor gules, wearing on their left arms shields azure, with this motto in gold, For the king and kingdom, one bearing a banner of the king's, and the other one of the city's banners. On ́a high and eminent seat of throne-like ascension is seated Sovereignty, in royal posture and alone, with black curled hair, wearing an imperial crown, a robe of purple velvet, lined, faced, and caped with ermine, a collar of SS with a George pendant; bearing in one hand a golden globe, in the other a royal sceptre. On a seat beneath, are Principality, Nobility, and Honour, all richly habited. On the next seat, gradually descending beneath, are, 1. Gentility, shaped like a scholar and soldier, holding in one hand, clad with a golden gauntlet, a silver spear, in the other a book; 2. Integrity, wearing an earl's coronet for the court, a loose robe of scarlet-coloured silk for the city, underneath a close coat of grassgreen plush for the county; 3. Commonalty, as a knight of the shire in parliamentary robes. On the lowest seat, an ancient English Hero, with brown curling hair, in ancient armour, as worn by chief commanders, the coat of mail richly gilt, crimson and velvet scarf fringed with gold, a quiver of arrows in a gold belt on one side, a sword at the other, buskins laced with silver and gold, a silver helmet with red and white plume, in one hand a large long bow, and a spear in the other. This personage, representing sir John Hawkwood, a merchanttailor of martial renown under Edward III., when he conquered France, as soon as he perceives the lord mayor prepared, with attention riseth up, and with a martial bow exhibiteth a speech in verse of thirty-seven lines, in compliment to the merchant-tailors and the lord mayor. His lordship testifying his approbation, rideth with all his brethren through the throng of spectators, till at Milk-street end, he is intercepted by the second pageant, which is a chariot of ovation, or peaceful triumph, adorned with delightful pieces of curious painting, and drawn by a golden lion and a lamb. On the lion is mounted a young negro prince, richly habited, according to the royal mode in India, holding a golden bridle, and in the other hand St. George's banner, representing Power. On the lamb is mounted a white beautiful seraphim-like creature, with long bright flaxen curled hair, and on it a golden coronet of cherubims' heads and wings, a carnation sarcenet robe, with a silver mantle and wings of gold, silver, purple, and scarlet, reining the lamb by a silver bridle in his left hand, and with his right bearing an angelical staff, charged with a red cross, representing Clemency. In the chariot sitteth seven persons, 1. Concordia. 2. Unanimia, 3. Pacifica, 4. Consentania, 5. Melodea, 6. Benevolentia, (whose habits, and those of other characters already and hereafter mentioned, are not described here for want of room) and 7. "Harmonia, a lady of great gravity, with masculine aspect, wearing a lovely dark brown peruke, curiously curled, on which is planted a crown imperial; she wears a robe of French green velvet, pleasantly embroidered with gold, a crimson coloured silk and silver mantle, and sitting majestically alone in front, upon the approach and fixation of my lord mayor, improves the opportunity, riseth up, and delivereth an oration." This consists of forty-four lines in verse, wherein she acquaints his lordship that the other characters are her attributes, recommends unity, because division is the policy of the pope and the jesuits, expresses her belief that if the lion and the lamb fall out, she should run to ruin, descants upon magistrate-like virtues, and in the end tells his lordship, You have done all things fair, no action foul; Your sherevalry gave relish of good rule, Nor need they doubt your mayoralty, therefore, Begging your pardon, I shall say no more. This speech being concluded, his lordship exhibiting a gracious aspect of favourable acceptation, advanceth further towards Guildhall, but is civilly obstructed by another scene, and in regard, his lordship is a merchant, and his company merchant-tailors, the Third Triumphal Scene, or Pageant, is a ship called the Patience, with masts and sails, fully rigged and manned, the captain whereof addresseth to my lord a speech beginning,— What cheer, my lord? I am return'd from names, natures, and ornaments are con sea, To amplifie your day of Jubilee, His lordship having surveyed the ship, and the trumpets sounding, he continueth is determined course toward Guildhall, but by the way is once more obstructed by another scene, called the Palace of Pleasure, which is a triumphal ionic arch of excellent structure, where, in distinct and perspicuous situations, sitteth nine beautiful and pleasant ladies, whose sentaneous, 1. Jollity, 2. Delight, 3. Fancy, 4. Felicity, 5. Wit, 6. Invention, 7. Tumult, 8. Slaughter, 9. Gladness; all of them properly enrobed and adorned; and to augment their delight, there are several persons properly habited, playing on sundry loud instruments of music, one of which, with a voice as loud and as tunable as a treble hautboy, chanteth out a Ditty in commendation of the Merchant-tailors' Trade, commencing thus, Of all the professions that ever were nam'd No trade with the Taylers compared may be : When Adam and Eve out of Eden were hurl'd, They were at that time king and queen of the world: The Taylers, and put themselves in green array; They had figs for the belly, and leaves for the back The oldest profession; and they are but railers, This song, containing five more verses, being ended, the foot-marshal places the assistants, livery, and the companies on both sides of King's-street, and the pensioners with their targets hung on the tops of the javelins; in the rear of them the ensign-bearers; drums and fifes in front; he then hastens the foins and budge-bachelors, together with the gentlemen ushers, to Guildhall, where his lordship is again saluted by the artillerymen with three volleys more, which concludes their duty. His land attendants pass through the gallery or lane so made into Guildhall; after which the company repairs to dinner in the hall, and the several silk-works and triumphs are likewise conveyed into Blackwell-hall; and the officers aforesaid, and the children that sit in the pageants, there refresh themselves until his lordship hath dined. At the dinner in Guildhall, his lordship and the guests being all seated, the city music begin to touch their instruments h very artful fingers. Their ears being as well feasted as their palates, and a Joyntly then wee 'l agree, In the year 1688, the second mayoralty of sir Thomas Pilkington, who being of the skinner's company, a pageant in honour of their occupation, consisted of " a spacious wilderness, haunted and 1453 inhabited with all manner of wild beasts and birds of various shapes and colours, even to beasts of prey, as wolves, bears, panthers, leopards, sables, and beavers; likewise dogs, cats, foxes, and rabbits, which tossed up now and then into a balcony fell oft upon the company's heads, and by them tossed again into the crowd, afforded great diversion; melodious harmony likewise allayed the fury of the wild beasts, who were continually moving, dancing, curvetting, and tumbling to the music." On the alteration of the style, the swearing in of the lord mayor and the accompanying show, which had been on the 29th of October, was changed to the 9th of November. The speeches in the pageants were usually composed by the city poet, an officer of the corporation, with an annual salary, who provided a printed description for the members of the corporation before the day. Settle, the last city poet, wrote the last pamphlet intended to describe a lord mayor's show; it was for sir Charles Duncombe's, in 1708, but the prince of Denmark's death the day before, prevented the exhibition. The last lord mayor who rode on horseback at his mayoralty was sir Gilbert Heathcote in the reign of queen Anne. tion, year after year, are accustomed to HUSBANDS AND WIVES. To the Editor of the Every-Day Book. Sir, It is not often that men, now-a-days, send copies of verses to their wives, but I think the editor of the Every-Day Book who is fond of the times gone by, is still old fashioned enough not to condemn the practice. The following lines, which have not appeared in print, are much at My best wishes attend the your service. complete success of your useful and instructive undertaking. I remain, Your constant reader, It will be remarked after this perusal, that the modern exhibitions have no pretension to vie with the grandeur of the In 1760, the old" London triumphs." court of common council recommended pageants to be exhibited for the entertainment of their majesties on lord mayor's day. Such revivals are inexpedient, yet probably some means might be devised for improving the appearance of the present procession, without further expenditure from the city funds, or interfering with the public appropriation of the Norfolk, Oct. 19, 1825. allowance for the support of the civic dignity. All that remains of the lord mayor's show, to remind the curiously informed of its ancient character, is in the first part of the procession, wherein the poor men of the company to which the ford mayor belongs, or persons hired to represent them, are habited in long gowns and close caps of the company's colour, and bear painted shields on their arms, but without javelins. So many of these head the show, as there are years in the lord mayor's age. Their obsolete costume and hobbling walk are sport for the unsedate, who, from imperfect tradi II. To Mrs. ➖➖➖ on my Birth-day. My Betsy lo! the year's gone round, We see this day once more, November's leaves bespread the ground, And I am forty-four. I When I was wont to pore Nor thought of forty-four. Twice two I said was four, |