The daily gazette., 1877-06-05
VIVA, Freed ON ef city" Means.

The presentation to General Grant, of
"the freedom of the City of London, in a
gold box" is announced by Gable. Al
though 1t Is common enough in our
country. where the freedom Of the city"
has no meaning, for city authorities to
extend that empty compliment, in l. on
don it has meaning, and is no common
haekneyed courtesy. "The City" is a
municipality within the metropolis, of
London, ruled for the most part by its
own government, whilst the rest of Lon
don is governed mainly under authority
of Parliament. The Lord Mayor has
privileges which put him face to face
with the Sovereign, and within the city
limits he takes precedence of all the roy
al family. In fact, by custom, the Sow
ereign cannot enter the city without the
Lord Mayors formal permission. The
Corporation OF the City of London cling
to their ancient rights and privileges,
| and the proffer of the warrant of their
franchise is regarded by them as ten
der OF the most precious thing they
| possess. 1t is a proffer made only to
such eminent personages as they speci-
ally desire to honor. Among those to
whom the freedom of the city" has
been extended, are General Blucher,
Monsieur Theirs, and the Emperors OF
France, Russia, Persia and Turkey. 1t
is always regarded as the highest com.
plinent that can be paid by London TO a
| distinguished ed man and his country. Ger
tain British peers hold the right by in.
beritance The ceremonial attending
the presentation of the franchise Is sim-
pie and impressive. The citizens of the
City of London, meeting at Guildhall
vote 10 bestow their warrant, and, after
notifying General Grant, he will, upon
some convenient occasion, appear before
the City Cham berlain to receive it. Hit
name will be enrolled in the book, with
the name of the clerk and officers of the
City Chamber as his "compurgators, ,
who make themselves responsible foi
his good citizenship. The Cham berlAir
then administers the oath of fidelity
shakes hands with him, and gives him
In gold box, a parchment slip warrant
ing to him and to his children dwellins
within seven miles of the city" the fran
chlsee OF Freeman Of London" Thi
carries with it various rieh Is and privil
eyes. he may carry on any retail trad,
in the city without being taxed for thu
goods he brings in. If elects to liv
within the city he will be free from toll
and customs throughout all England
and ports OF the sea-" His children, be
ing left orphans, will have the right t,
become wards of the city, and put then
property for safe keeping into the Cit,
Chamber. He also has the right to hun
within the county of Middlesex, though
possibly he may not find any game. H,
is also-and this is a very good thing fo
an American, more appreciated former
ly than now-he is also exempted from
compulsory service in the British arm,
or navy. 1t is quite probable that /
banquet at the Guildhall will mark tn,
presentation-for Englishmen do moth
ing without banquet, just as Ameri
cans can do little without oratory, al
though the latter rather take t,
b.nquets too-but coneeding the rount
OF dinners our Ex-President is under
gong, he will probsbI by that time b
seasoned to his succession OF feastings