Various

“ All dinners of all companies are noble feasts, and the tables of the great companies are brilliant with splendid pieces of plate. Among the skinners' plate are some curious flagons made in form of beasts and birds. The skinners like to tell how these are used. On the day of election of master and wardens, the court, or governing body of the guild, is assembled in the hall, and ten blue-coat boys, with the almsmen of the company, the master and wardens, all in procession, preceded by trumpeters blowing blasts, march round the hall. ”

“ With the exception of the public duties and the administration of the charities before mentioned, the only functions of the guilds at present are those of hospitality and good fellowship. The livery companies take it upon themselves to do much of the hospitality of the city of London. They give receptions to royalty and distinguished men; they take large part in such civic festivities as the Lord Mayor's show; they make gifts to the reigning family upon their marriages, and the fame of their city dinners has passed into a proverb. ”

“ But we find—and to their credit be it said—that the guilds have on the whole, and throughout their history, devoted themselves wisely to the promotion of public advantage, always standing shoulder to shoulder against every attempt at royal encroachment upon the freedom of the commoner, advancing wise measures for the government of the city and the undisturbed conduct of business, and taking all proper care that no member of their fraternity or any merchant of their trade should sell under weight or produce articles below a certain standard of quality. ”

“ The wood-carving in many is superb,—in none finer than in the Brewers' Hall,—and the combination of the dark color of old oak with the bright tinctures of painted armorial bearings occurs in endless and always picturesque variety. The quite self-content and the half-private character of the guilds have prevented a thorough investigation of their history. They themselves feel, as any one who with the feeling of ownership dines often in such halls as theirs must come to feel, that no one but one of themselves could do them justice ”

“ The guest seems to have entered into their very hearts, when suddenly he feels that they can smile on him no more, and that the absorbing attention with which they receive him is exchanged in an instant for total neglect. ”

“ To this assembly the recorder or law officer of the city then makes a short, set speech, declaring that from the time of King John the liverymen have possessed the rights of election which they are now to exercise. The liverymen thereupon proceed to choose, by vote, two of the aldermen for the office of Lord Mayor, and from these two the incumbent Lord Mayor and the aldermen with formal ceremony select one, who is to become Lord Mayor of London for the ensuing term. This selection the liverymen must ratify by stating that the man named is their free choice. ”

“ Each began as a voluntary association, received in the fourteenth century, or later, a charter from the crown, exercised control over its especial trade, was nearly destroyed by Charles II., and has since steadily increased in riches; while, with a few exceptions, changes in the nature of commerce have worn away all its mediæval functions except the happy one of promoting good-fellowship among men. ”

“ These incomes are, however, by no means considered by the companies as to be applied to their private uses. Much of the money is, as has been said, in the nature of trust funds which they are bound to disburse according to specified provisions; and in fact, with the exception of a comparatively small amount set aside for public entertainments, private feasts and ceremonies, and the maintenance of their halls, their general incomes are either administered for certain set purposes of trust, or expended in charities. ”

“ From this day to our own they have grown richer, while their functions as cleansers and inspectors of spices have slowly become obsolete. Now with much good fellowship and cheerful hospitality they administer charities, do good in other ways and harm to no one ”

“ Not only do these private companies thus possess civic powers which are strange to Americans of more republican traditions, but they exercise other inherited privileges of no small importance. The Company of Stationers records and grants all copyright privileges in England. ”