The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-06

Ceremonies attendants Upon His Election
The Procession on the 9th Of November.


November Century.
The Lord Mayor is elected from the twenty
six aldermen, 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 10 elected at the Guidnall on the
feast of st. Michael, the archangel. Few more
interesting ceremonies are TO be seen in Eng
land A wooden screen Is erected outside the
Guildhal, with many doorways in it At each
is stationed the beadle of a guild, who is ex-
pected to know ell the liverymen of his com
pany, and to prevent unauthorized persons
from entering The floor of the Guildhall is
strewn with sweet herbs, perhaps the last sur
viving instance Of the medieval method of car
peting hall The tweniysix aldermen come
in, all in scarlet gowns The recorder or law
officer of the city, rises, bows to the Lord Mayor
and the assembled hverymen. and makes lit
tie speech, declaring how from the time OF
rights of election. The Lord Mayor and alder
men then 60 out; another law officer, the COM
mon sergeant, repeats what the recorder has al
ready said, and tells the liverymen that they
must name two for the Office of Lord Mayor, OF
whom the aldermen will select one Two names
are then chosen and are carried to the aldermen
by the heads of some of the chief guilds. Ono
Is selected, and thereup0n the Lord Mayor and
the aldermen return TO the Guildhall and sit
down, the chosen future Lord Mayor sitting on
the loft of the actual Lord Mayor The recorder
again rises and reads the two names and the
one selected, and asks the iverymen II IL is
their free election, yea or no. They shout
YEA" and the sword bearer thereupon takes off
the fur tippet Of the Lord Mayor-to-be and puts
a chain around his neck.
On the sth of November there is another
meeting in the GuildhAll. The old Lord Mayor
rises and gives ths new one his seat The
chamberlain of the city then approaches, with
three solemn bows, and hands to the new Lord
Mayor o jeweled scepter, the common seal OF
the city. and an ancient purse. The sword
bearer next advances, and bowling three times,
each time with increasing reverence, gives the
Lord Msyor-elect the great two-handed sword OF
state, which eymoolizes justice and legal su-
premacy. The crier. with bows equal In number
and profundity TO those of the sword bearer.
next approaches and presents the mace. The
aldermen aud sheriffs next congratulate their
new chief who proceeds to sign certain docu-
ments, and among them receipt for the city
plate. Last of all, he is presented with the keys
Of the standard weights and measures, deposited
in his custody. The meeting then breaks up,
and the old Lord Mayor gees back to the Man
sion House. his official residence. for the last
time.
The next day, the 9th of November. is known
in London as Lord Mayors day, because on
that morning the Lord Mayor takes Office in the
Guildhail. He drives thence through the ward
Of which he is alderman. and proceeds in gaudy
procession to the courts OF law within tae
bounds of Westminster. Before his coach are
running footmeu, and there is q long procession
of tho carriages of the aldermen and OF the
heads OF the several guilds, and Of the main
body of bis own guild, all in their best official
gowns. The banners OF the guilds, their
beadles. and their pageants. which vary accord
ing to each Lord Mayors taste, make up won
derful show which, as it winds in and out the
narrow streets of the city. enlivens them with
brilliant color. Though often decried because
il obstructs business for one day, should the
progress OF modern times abolish the custom IL
would be regretted by all who have Witnessed
it.
The Lord Mayor is presented to the Lord Chief
justice Of England, takes an oath OF fidelity, and
calls on the judges of the several divisions Of the
high court of justice and invites them to dinner
The judges always reply somewhat heughtily
that some of them will attend, and the Lord
Mayor then returns to the city, In which for
year he is to be the greatest person. obliged so
give place only when the Queen herself comes.