Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-11-15
rnr LORD mAYos OF LONDON.
The Interesting Ceremony Com
nected with His Election.


The Interesting Ceremony Com
nected with HIS Election.
From profusely illustrated article in
the November Century on the "Guilds Of
London" the following is quoted: 1.-THE
lord mayor is elected from the rs alder
men or heads of the wards into which the
city is divided by the votes of the livery
that Is, Of the members OF the several
guilds Of the city. He is elected at the
Guildhail, on the feest OF St. Michael,
the Archangel. Few more interesting
ceremonies are 10 be seen in England. a
wooden screen Ia erected outside the
Gnildhall, with many doorwsys in it. At
eRch ia stationed the beadle Of guild,
who is expected to know oil the livery
men of his company, and 30 to prevent
unauthorized persons from entering.
The floor Of the Guildhall is Htrewn with
sweet herbs, perhaps the last surviving
instance of the medieval method Of car
peting hall. The 20 aldermen come in,
oil In scarlet gowns. The recorder, or
law officer OF the city, rises,
bows TO the lord mayor and
the assembled livsrymen, and makes
little speech, declaring bow from the
| time Of King John they have bad grants
Of certain rights of election The lord
mayor aud alderman then go out another
law-oiliaer, the common sergeant, repeats
what the recorder has already said, and
| tolls the liverymen that they must name
| two for the office OF lord mayor of whom
| the lord mayor and alderman will select
| ons, Two names arc ihsn chosen, and are
ca .Yied to the aldermen by the heads OF
some Of the chief guilds. One is selected,
\ and ihereupon the lord mayor and tbs
aldermen return TO the Guildhhll and sit
down, the chosen future lord mayor sit
| ting on the lett Of the actual lord mayor.
| The recorder agaia rises Gnd reaSH tho
two names and the one selected, and asks
tho livesymen If it IL their free election,
yea or No. They shout Yea, and the
sword-hsarer theEsupon takes oil thu fur
tippet of the lord msyor to be, and puta
ohain around his neek On the 9Th OF
November there In another meeting in
tho Gaiidhali. The old lord mayer rises
ard gives the new one his saat.
The chamberlain Of the city then ap.
pEnaches with three solemn boGE, and
hands to the new lord msyor a jsweied
scspter, tho common seal OF the city, and
an ancient purse. The sword bsarsrnext
advances, and bows fhseH times each
time with increasing reverence, gives the
lord nnyor-elect the great two handed
sword OF state, which symboiizes justice
and legal supremacy. The crioT, with
bows equal in number and profoundly
to those of tue sword. bearer, next sp-
prosches aud presents the mace Tire
aldermen and sheriff5 then congratulate
their new chief, who proeeeGs TO sligo
certain documents, and among them 70,
receipt for tho city plate. Last OF all he
is presented with The keys of the standard
weights and measures deposited in hi.
custody. The meeting then breaks mp
and the old lord mayor goes back 20 the
Mansion House, his official residence fol
the last time.
is known Ia London as Lord Mayors Day
because on thst morning tho new lor(
mayor takes office in the Guildhall. II,
dives thence through the ward Of whioi
, he is alderman, and proceeds in gaud.
, procession to tAe eouyts of law within
I the bounds of Westminster. Before hi
coach are running foutmen, and there i
long procession Of tao carriages Of tn
aldermen and of the hesds Of shs seFeia
, guilds, aud Of the main BODY Of htR Owl
guild, sli in their best oAisial gowns
i The bannera Of the guilds, their beadlea
a and pageants, which vary according +
: each lord mayors TASTE, make up won
Q dorful show, which, rs ii winds in an
51s Il ne iifi5s stsget o. s t u ei city. 81
livens them with brilliant color. Thougl
> often decfied because it obstructs bust
!, ? ness for one day, should the progress o
modern times abolish the custom i
would be regretted by all who have wit
= messed it.
!. "The lord mayor is presented to th
9 lord chief justice of England, takes al
t oath of fidelity and calls on the judges o
the several divisions Of the high court o
. Justice and invites them to dinner. Th,
a judges always reply somewhat haughtil,
: that some OF them will attend and th,
|. lord mayor then returns to the city, il
I which fof year he il to be the creates
r person, Obliged to give place only whei
: the queen herself comes"