Falstaff. Well; I'll be acquainted with him if I return; and it shall go hard, but I will make him a philosopher's two stones to me. If the young dace be a bait for the old pike, I see no reason, in the law of nature, but I may snap at him. 2 Henry IV., act iii. s. 2 (354).

The dace is not mentioned elsewhere.

(To be continued.)

ཚུལ།

Upon minor occasions the feasting was enjoyed in some favourite public house: and there are, accordingly, many entries of payments to certain landlords on account of the "treate" with which newly elected Councillors or Aldermen invariably commended themselves to the jovial circle of municipal magnates. In a memorandum by the town clerk, dated September, 1765, with regard to the date and mode of choosing

RECENT search among the archives of the Corporation of Leeds has discovered some quaint records, which date back for more than two centuries. They lift the curtain from curious aspects of municipal life prior to the reign of Charles II., throwing a side light upon the eventful times of Oliver Cromwell, and the memorable days when Milton had just given his immortal epic to the world. Some of these antiquated chronicles are almost as difficult to decipher as the shorthand in which Samuel Pepys had then begun to write his celebrated diary of the Restoration period. This is no fault of the ink, which must have been of very good quality to keep its colour so long. The old manuscripts are now, however, stained and time worn, bearing unmistakable evidence that full two hundred years have passed since the crooked and antiquated handwriting of these official pages was penned.

Some of the earliest entries give a rather droll revelation of the convivial and festive customs then largely associated with public business. Thus, we read that, in February, 1662, the Corporation, "having received great testimony and satisfaction to the abilitye and fitnesse of Thomas Gorst in the performance of the art, trade, or mistery of a cooke," ordered that the said Thomas Gorst should be reported and taken to be the sole and only Cooke to the now present, or hereafter Maior and Aldermen of ye sayd burrough;" and that he should, "from tyme to tyme, vpon any publique occation, dress or order to be dressed, the several dishes appoynted for any such meeting or solempnitye." The Corporation also forbade any person to interfere with him in his profession.

"afterwards the old Mayor, the Mayor-elect, and the rest of the Court, go and drink a glass. The old Mayor pays a guinea, the Mayor-elect 10s. 6d., the Aldermen 25. a piece, and the Assistants (or Councillors) one shilling each. What is spent above is paid by the treasurer out of the Corporation stock. Sunday after the last mentioned day, the new Mayor goes to Church with the old Mayor-the former in a scarlet, and the latter in a black gown; and dine together at the old Mayor's. After the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions, go to the Court to swear the new Mayor, and then sup with him. Waites playing before them from Court. New Mayor gives the old Church ringers ten shillings. The last sentence but two evidently refers to the festive duties of the Town Clerk himself, concerning whom we find it unanimously agreed, at a Court held in October, 1755, "that the Town Clerk do dine as usual with the Mayor." At a later date, more than one payment of six guineas was made to the Mayor, as "half of the annual sum allowed for the Chief Constable and other attendants, in lieu of eating at His Worship's." Subordinate officers, such as the Beadle and Mace Bearer, enjoyed several perquisites, one of which was an allowance "in lieu of dinners" on what were known as Gown Sundays, when the Corporation went in State to Church. At the same period there was an annual grant of £45 to the Mayor "towards the support of his dignety." And yet the "dignety" was one which some gentlemen refused to accept. In 1753, a worthy townsman chosen as chief magistrate, was so contumacious and ungrateful, that he would not yield until the point was decided against him by Lord Justice Mansfield, at York Assizes; and then he only consented on condition that the duties of the

office might be discharged by his brother. Many others selected against their will for civic honours equally objected to serve, but did not carry their resistance to the extremity of litigation, preferring to pay the heavy The penalties imposed for their refusal. fines prescribed by the Corporation, so late as 1830, were £400 for every Assistant, and £500 for every Alderman failing to take office within ten days after election. Fines of equal amount were payable for resignation without the consent of the Corporation, unless the member had ceased for twelve months to reside within the borough, or the Alderman had attained the age of seventy years. It was also provided that there should be a penalty of £400 for refusing to serve the office of Mayor-never having served; £300 for refusal, after having served once; £200 for twice; and £100 for every subsequent refusal. As the records shew, these were no idle enactments. In December, 1786, four individuals paid amongst them no less than £800 in this way. The exacting conditions were, indeed, so often enforced that we are inclined to suspect the sly old Councillors of having elected wealthy but unwilling burgesses in order to extract these substantial fines from them when the corporate exchequer was at a low ebb. The civic purse does seem at times to have got rather empty; for at a Court held in May, 1720, it was "agreed and ordered by a majority of votes that no more money shall be expended upon any public or com'on treate, out of the Corpora'con's stock until the Corpora'con is out of debt." This self-denying ordinance was of brief duration.

every person and persons, now or hereafter members of ye Corporac'on of this burrough, in the Transaction of any matter or thing in this Court; it is Ordered that vpon any matter put to question and in debate, noe member shall take vpon him to speake dureing such tyme as the Maior or any Alderman or any one of

the Common Councell is in his discourse to the matter soe in question, vpon penaltye of every Alderman soe offending ye summe of five shillings, and every Common Councell man or Assistent yo summe of 2s. 6d.

Perhaps it would not be amiss if this wholesome regulation were still in force for the "due behaviour" of some public bodies in which interruptions and irregularities of debate are by no means unknown. The earliest mention of civic robes in these

Chronicles is in a minute dated 1668. It is there noted that Madame Danby, the Mayor's wife, presented a scarlet gown to be worn by her husband and succeeding Mayors. After awhile the minor dignitaries apparently became envious of His Worship's grandeur; and so, at a Court held on May 10, 1701, it was ordered that every member of the Corporation, "except old Mr. Hargreaves," should provide himself with a suitable gown, under a penalty of £5-afterwards increased to £20-with the addition of a small fine if they failed to attend the Mayor in their official robes, when summoned to Church service upon festival days, or other public and solemn occasions. In order that there might be no evasion of these edicts it was required that the Aldermen and Assistants "do show their gowns to the Sergeant-at-Mace, on request," or be fined for refusal. In 1773, it was resolved" that the Mayor be provided with a new gown out of the Corporation stock, and that the Sergeant-at-Mace have the Mayor's old gown," -an amusing compromise between extravagance and economy. This same macebearer was a functionary who sometimes united in himself a singular combination of offices, as witness the following entry under date March 5, 1736

Mace in yo house of William Mitton, by John Brooke, This day Morgan Lowry was elected Sergeant-atEsq., (Maior), the Alderman and Councillors, and did then take the oath of office.

At same time and place he was, in like manner, oath of office.

At same time and place he was, in like manner, elected Coroner, and did then take the oath of office.

Such a plurality of offices sounds strange in our day, and rather out of keeping with the dignity of the coronership: but the lucky Morgan must have been a favourite, and doubtless showed his gratitude by a "treate" to his civic masters, as they met in generous mood that day at "y house of William Mitton."

Even more striking than the change in social customs is the revolution in thought which has occurred since the stirring time when these old records were written. The Corporations then were close and self-elected bodies, too much under the jealous control of royalty to show any popular sympathy for the cause of either civil or religious freedom. As the present Mayor of Leeds is a Quaker, it is especially interesting and suggestive to find that one of the earliest records relates to a persecution of his Worship's co-religionists. The intolerance of the local authorities went farther than even so bigoted a monarch as James II. was then inclined to sanction. Accordingly, we read that, in 1687, a letter was read from the king with reference to some goods belonging to John Wales and other Quakers of Leeds, which had been taken from them "on account of their religious worshippe," and remained unsold in the hands of the constable. His Majesty signified his pleasure that the Mayor and Aldermen should cause "ye said goods" to be forthwith returned to the respective owners, without any charge -an order duly obeyed. By an entry, dated 1680, we are reminded of the unrelenting rigour with which Nonconformists were persecuted in the previous reign. At that date the Mayor and Alderman were each required by a Royal Commission to stateand here are their statements, preserved to this day-whether they had duly observed the Test Act, which required from all persons accepting office, a declaration against the Solemn League and Covenant and also that they should within one year have taken the Holy Sacrament according to the rites of Church of England.

Profligate and unworthy as was the monarch-Charles II.-who imposed these religious conditions, his death was lamented in due form by the local dignitaries of the period. In an address to the new king, in

which congratulation and condolence are oddly mingled, Charles is lamented as our late gracious sovereign of blessed memory, "Yo' maty most deare and intirely beloved brother." The loyal address adds :—

We do in all humillitye beseech y maty" to prmitt us to lay our most thankfull congratulacions at y Royal Feet for yo' maty late most gracious declaracion.

In the first year of his reign, James granted to Leeds, as to other towns, a new charter, in which, however, he took care to subject the Corporation, and the appointment of all its leading officers, to the power of the Crown. Besides submitting to further restrictions of their liberties, the Town Council had to meet the expense of the new Charter. This duty. the members set about personally, in accordance with the following quaint resolution, dated 1685-viz.,

That M. Maior and 4 or 5 of ye Aldermen, with as many of y assistants as please, doe meet on Wednesday, att yt house of Mr. Hannah Johnson, by scaven of ye clock in y morning, to goe about to collect yo same.

In our own day it would scarcely be in accord with aldermanic habits to start at seven o'clock in the morning from a publichouse on a collecting expedition!

As each successive monarch came to the throne, his advent was welcomed with a loyal address, and proclamations by the mayor and aldermen, on horseback, at the Market Cross; after which, as in the case of George II., "the Corporation do adjourn to the House of Mr. James Wainman, to solempnize the day, where an entertainment is to be provided at the public charge." Upon the accession of George IV., besides a coronation banquet to the Town Council, an allowance of is. per man was allowed to the soldiers in Leeds, also 5s. per man to the local yeomanry, and an equal sum to the volunteers, "to drink his Majesty's health."

During the rebellion of 1745 in favour of the exiled house of Stuart, the Leeds Town Council, like others, passed a resolution de nouncing "the Popish Pretender;" and they did not fail to celebrate the victory of the King's troops with abundant festivity. At the commencement of the eventful war with France in 1793, a loyal address, which we find fully set out in these records, was sent

66

from Leeds, promising the King a firm support in its prosecution. Volunteers having enrolled themselves in the national cause, the thanks of the municipality were voted to them, in 1794, for their prompt enrolment and an "elegant" sword was presented to the first commandant of the local battalion. In 1798, when England was in expectation of being invaded by France, the Town Council records refer to the French "as our inveterate enemies, making preparations to invade our land, destroy our commerce, and enslave our persons." A resolution was passed expressing "fixed determination to assist in repelling these tyrannical efforts by the most vigorous means in our power." An address was at the same time presented to the King, promising that "your Majesty may have ample supplies to provide for the effectual protection and safety of this kingdom," and humbly offering our deliberate opinion that the finances of the Government ought to be strengthened at this important crisis by such a legal but general contribution out of the annual income of all property, real and personal, by a rateable proportion, as may be fully adequate (under the blessing of Divine providence) to defeat all the machinations of our foes." Since that time, Governments have not been slow to profit by this selfsacrificing suggestion of an income tax. Not content with merely verbal expressions, it was further resolved that "£500 be subscribed out of the Corporation stock, in aid of the supplies requisite for the defence of the country, and that it be subscribed in the following terms:-'The Corporation of Leeds, having no property or income whatever, save the interest of a capital of about £1,800 arising from fees of admission, or fines paid by persons refusing to serve, ordered that the Treasurer do dispose of shares in the Leeds Water Works, towards raising a sum for the purpose aforesaid." When peace was restored, in the first years of the present century, two pairs of colours were publicly presented to the local volunteers, who were, moreover, entertained to dinner at a cost of nearly £300. And yet, in 1800, local trade and social comfort were at a low ebb, as witness the following dismal petition from the Town Council to Parliament :

The condition of the labouring people of this

populous borough and its neighbourhood is extremely deplorable, owing to the excessively high price of corn and other articles of sustenance; that the petitioners are manufacturers of woollens, or connected therewith, and that the produce of their labour is almost unsaleable, from the general inability of the poor to purchase clothing; that the master manufacturers-a numerous and most valuable class of men-have struggled some time with the greatest difficulties, in endeavouring to find employment for their workmen, but from the causes above stated their goods cannot be vended in sufficient quantity, even at prices below the actual remain in their hands, whilst their stock of trading cost, and that the most ruinous accumulations of them capital (a source of incalculable benefit to the country when employed by them) is sinking so rapidly that, unless some immediate and effectual remedy to the evil can be applied, the most fatal consequences to them, and all who depend on them for employment, must inevitably ensue.

Since this lamentation was written, a good many fortunes have been made in the West Yorkshire woollen trade. The manufacturers had not then, as in a more recent period of depression, hit upon the expedient of trying to divert the fashions by inducing members of the royal house, from patriotic motives, to wear clothing of local make. In 1812 the Town Council petitioned, in alarmist terms, against Catholic emancipation. Congratulations upon the "glorious victories" gained over Napoleon Buonaparte are recorded in 1813. In the following year an address was sent to the Prince Regent, congratulating him upon "the glorious events which have led to the downfall of tyrrany and the restoration of the Bourbons to the throne of their ancestors." In 1831 the civic body, laying much stress on the protection of the interests of property, petitioned against the Reform Bill, which was passed in the following year. Apart from any political partisanship, it now sounds singularly to read how they express their "dread of the consequences of intrusting the interests of the few to the protection of the many, which would be the case in a legislative assembly elected, for the most part, by large bodies of people generally indifferent, oftentimes opposed, to such interests, and too likely to be swayed in the choice of their representatives by matters of partial and temporary interest, at the dictation of ambitious demagogues or the intermeddling of political associations formed for the purpose of controlling elections."

The reformed legislature of the nation

naturally turned its early attention to the need of reforming the civic parliaments. A Commission was accordingly appointed in 1834, and reported in the following year that

There prevails among the inhabitants of a great many of the incorporated towns a general and, in our opinion, just dissatisfaction with the municipal institutions; a distrust of the self-elected municipal councils, whose powers are subject to no popular control, and whose acts and proceedings, being secret, are not checked by the influence of public opinion-a distrust of the municipal magistracy, tainting with suspicion the local administration of justice-and discontent under the burden of local taxation, while revenues are diverted from their legitimate uses.

Moved by virtuous indignation, the Leeds Town Council petitioned, but in vain, against being included in this sweeping condemnation. The records of the unreformed Corporation close with an unfinished minute, dated 19th December, 1835-municipalities entering in 1836 upon an era of progressive improvement under the new Act.

J. D. SHAW.

Esser Brasses.

HE following article contains some additions and corrections to the list given in the Manual of Monumental Brasses, by the late Rev. Herbert Haines, M.A.

Ashen. A small brass, circa 1520, representing a man in armour, and his wife. Inscription and shields lost.

Althorne.-1. Inscription: "Of yo' charite pray for the soule of Margaret Hyklott which decessed the xxvij. day of August in the yere of our lord. M' V two, on whose soule Thu have mercy. Amen." The figure of Margaret Hyklott is, unfortunately, gone, but above the matrix there remains the figure of the B. V. M. seated in a chair, crowned and with long flowing hair, holding upon her knees the Infant Saviour. Beneath the inscription are two female figures, children of the deceased, one a widow, the other a nun, with left hand raised in the act of benediction.

2. The full-length figure in civilian costume of William Hyklott. Above it is a repre

sentation of God the Father, seated in a chair, supporting the crucified Saviour. Beneath the figure is the following inscription: "Pray for the soule of Willm. Hyklott of Althorn, which paide for the werkemanship of the wall of this churche the same Willm. dyed the xvj. day of September in the yere of our lord M' Vc viij. on whose soule Jhu have mercy, ame." These brasses are very well preserved.

Bowers Gifford.-The highly interesting, though mutilated, figure of Sir John Gifford, is now restored to this church.

Benfleet, South.-A mutilated Latin inscription.

and shield of arms to Cicilye Owen, who Chadwell St. Mary.-English inscription died 18th August, 1603.

Coggeshall.-Nos. 1 and 2 appear to be

lost.

Corringham.-An inscription in Roman capitals," Here lieth the body of Robte. Draper, Person of Corringham, who decesed ye 18 of December, 1595."

Cricksea. Three escocheons of arms, with very long English inscription to Sir Arthur Herris, of Creeksea, who died in 1631. He married Ann, sole daughter and heiress of Robert Cranmer, of Chipsted, in Kent; and secondly, Dame Ann, widow of Sir H. Bowyer, Kt., sole daughter and heiress to Sir Nicholas Salter, Kt., of London.

Downham.-Two brass plates, fixed in a large slab of stone, were found during the recent restoration of this church, at a depth of more than a foot beneath the pews in the The first is inscribed :

nave.

Mons Thomas Tyrell gist ici Dieu de s'alme eit verraie mercy The second:

Alice q fut fême de Mons Thoms Tyrell gist ici Dieu de s'alme eit m'cy Beneath this is shield of arms, chequy. Sir Thomas Tyrell died at the close of the fourteenth century.

Fryerning. The brass in this church is now lost.

Hanningfield West.-1. The half-length figure of a lady, circa 1400. The figures of the husband and a second wife, with inscription, lost. . 2. Two escocheons of arms with two fragments of an inscription, the remainder