LONDON AND ITS LORD MAYOR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 52, 25 November 1907, Page 10

LONDON AND ITS LORD MAYOR.

PICTURESQUE CEREMONY. The election to the ancient and honourable office of Lord Mayor of London gives occasion for ceremonial of the, quaint and.picturesque character associated with the Merrio "England of long ago. The coremonies of this year (writes the Sydney "Herald's" London correspondent) began with the issue of warrants authorising the gift of venison from tho Royal forests to the Lord Mayor and other officers of the Corporation. Twelve bucks and 12 does were presented. The Lord Mayor received four of oach, the sheriffs throe, and the Recorder, Chamberlain, Town Clerk, Common Sergeant, and Remembrancer one 'buck and one doe each. These gifts had their origin in the early charters granted to the City of London, in which certain "huntings" were secured to the citizens. On the following day the ceremony of election of the new Lord Mayor was performed. It begaii with the traditional service which for 500 years has preceded the election proper. Then, from tho old church of St. Lawrence Jewry, a great procession of city men entitled to vote, headed by tho aldermen dressed in scarlet- gowns and carrying nosegays, moved to the adjacent Guildhall. The Lord Mayor and aldermen proceeded-to the hustings, which, in accordance with immemorial custom, was strewi with camomile ilowers- and sweet herbs. The Common Crier now shouted, "Oyoz, Oyez, Oyez!" proclaimed silence, directed all persons to uncover, and ordered that all those who wero not liverymen should "depart this hall on pain of •imprisonment." Then the Lord Mayor and ex-Lord Mayors retirud, to allow tho liverymen to proceed without restraint. Although the choice of the new Lord Mayor had already been determined, there is a formality which provides that two names shall bo voted upon, and, accordingly "Sir John Dell, alderman and haberdasher," and "Sir George Truscott, alderman and stationer," were put. At the announcement of the former a host of hands were raised, and hundreds of voices shouted, "All! All!" Tho aldermen present went out to consult their colleagues, after an interval the Lord Mayor and the whole of tho aldermen re-entered, and the Recorder announced that the Court had selected Sir John 801 l to be tho new Lord Mayor. "Come forth," said the Town Clerk, "and declare your consent to take the said office, on pain and peril of tho penalty thereof," and the newly-elected one came forth and returned thanks to the citizens. On November 8 the Lord Mayorelect will proceed to the House of Lords and will be there assured by the Lord Chancellor that ho is commanded "to signify his Majesty's gracious approbation of tho choice mado by yourfellow-citizens." The following day is Lord Mayor's Day, when the City will turn out to welcome the new Chief Magistrato and to enjoy tho picturesqueness of London's one annual procession. Sir John Bell has a difficult task in following the presont occupant of the position, for Sir William Troloar has won golden opinions during his year of office, and not least because of his sympathetic care for tho poor and afflicted.' As he goes out of office his fund of £60,000' for tho cripples of London will havo been subscribad. Ho is now appealing for tho last £10,000. One of the first acts of the new Lord Mayor will bo the reception of tho Emperor of Germany, when he visits the city on Novombcr 18. London may be confidently oxpected to arouse itself to an unwonted gorgoonsnoss of display on that occasion., As the King and Queen of Spain will also visit England in mid-November, the historic Castlo of Windsor in those days will shelter within.its walls three kings of the earth and many princes. .