LAMPS OF HONOUR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 103, 29 April 1909, Page 6

LAMPS OF HONOUR.

In New York the 'homes of the Mayors of the city have lamps of honor in front of them. The custom of thus imaa-king the residence of the chief citizen dates back about '250 years, but there are now only nine houses so distinguished. It is believed that the custom originated in the days of the Dutch occupation, when the burgomasters were escorted from their places of evening entertainment or official duty to their homes by watchmen carrying lanterns.

These lanterns were left hanging in front of the burgomaster's door as an additional protection to iso important a fflaa against thieves and other evil persons.

The families of former holders of the Mayoral office take pride in 'having the lamps alight. The Mayor Grace lamps aire still lighted every night as regularly as those in front of the residence of the present Mayor. The present occupants of the former home of Mayor Strong pay to (have the lamps of honor lighted, the family no longer living there. Although this custom was started in the time of the Dutch burgomasters, a descendant of the Dutch is the only Mayor, so far as known, who refused to have the lamps of honor in front of his residence. He thought the custom useless.