Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-10

dieval method Of carpeting hall. The
twenty-six aldermen come IN. all N scar
let gowns The Recorder. or Law officer
Of the city, rises, bows 10 tho LORD
Mayor and the assembled liverymen,
and makes little speech, declaring how
from the time OF King John they have had
grants Of certain rights Of election. The
Lord Mayor and sid rmen then go out !;
another law officer, tho common ser
geant, repeats what the Recorder has al
ready said, and tells the iverymen that
they must name two for the office OF
Lord Mayor, Of whom the Lord Mayor
and aldermen will select one. Two
names are then chosen, and are
carried 10 the aldermen by the
heads Of some OF the chief guilds
One is selected, and thereupon
the Lord Mayor and the aldermen
return b the Guildhal and sit down, the
chosen future Lord Mayor sitting
on the left of the actual Lord Mayor.
The Recorder again rises and reads the
two names and the one selected, and
asks the liverymenif il is their free cleo
ton. "Yea or no." They shout Yea, q"
and the Sword-Besrer thereupon takes on
the fur tippet Of the Lord Mayor to be
and puts a chain around his neck. On
the 9Th Of November there is another
meeting IN the GuildhalL This old Lord
Mayor rises and gives tho new one his
seat. The Chamberlain OF the city
then approaches with three solemn
bows and hands TO the new Lord
Mayor jewclled sceptre, the com
mon seal Of the city, and On
ancient purse. The Sword-Bearer next
advances, and bowling three times, eaeh
time with increasing reverence, gives the
Lord Mayor elect the great two-handed
sword Of state, which symbolizes justice
md legal supremacy. The Crier, with
bows equal in number and profoundly
10 those of the Sword Bearer, next APP
proaches and presents the mace. The al
dermen aud sherifls then congratulate
their new chief, who proceeds to sign GER
tain documents, and among them re-
ceipt for the city plate. Last OF all he Is
presented with the keys of the standard
WEIGHTS and measures deposited IN hrs
custody. The meeting then breaks up,
and the old Lord Mayor goes back to
the Mansion House, his official residence,
Tor the last time.
The next day, the 9th of November,
is known in London az Lord-Mayor
Day. because on that morning the new
Lord MAYOR takes Office in tho Ouildhall.
He drives thence through the ward OF
which be il alderman, and proceeds IN
paudy procession 10 the courts OF law
within tie bounds Of Westminster. Be
fore his coach are running footnen, and
there is q long procession OF the car
riaces Of the aldermen and Of the heads OF
the several guilds, and OF the main body
of his own guild, all IN their best oiilcial
gowns. The banners Of the guilds, their
/ beadlcs. end pageants, which vary &C
cording 10 each Lord Mayor taste, make
ma wonderful show, which. as 1t winds
/ in and out the narrow streets Of tho olty,
enlivens them with brilliant color.
/ Though often decried because II oh
struots business for one day, should the
progress OF modern times abolish the
custom it would DO 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
indges Of the several divisions OF the
High Court Of Justice and invites them
TO dinner. The judges always reply
somewhat hauQhtily that come OF them
will attend. and the Lord Mayor then
returns to the city, in which for yeal
he is 10 be the greatest person, Obliged
to give place only when the Queen her
! self comes.