f, he kneeling all
the while.

"When this was over, the gold chains were taken off from the former
sheriffs, and put on us; and then the court being dissolved, the Lord
Mayor went home, attended by the former sheriffs, and we returned back
to Drapers' Hall to our dinner, provided for the Court of Aldermen and
Courts of Assistance, at which the senior alderman took the chair as
president, and the rest of the aldermen and gentlemen of Guildhall
took their places at the upper table, whilst we, the sheriffs, sat
at the head of the second table, with the gentlemen of the Courts of
Assistance of our two companies. When dinner was over, and the healths
of the royal family were drunk, the cryer proclaimed the health and
prosperity to the two sheriffs' companies in the following manner;
that is to say, 'Prosperity to the worshipful Company of Drapers, and
prosperity to the worshipful Company of Goldsmiths: to the Goldsmiths
and Drapers, and Drapers and Goldsmiths, prosperity to both:' and this
is so usually done, naming each company first alternately, to prevent
any dispute concerning preference or priority.

"After dinner, we all retired to one table in the inner room, at which
we, though sheriffs, were placed underneath all the aldermen; for
whatever rank an alderman may be in point of seniority, yet during the
year he serves as sheriff, he is to give place, and follow the rest
of his brethren, both at the court, and all processions and
entertainments. About six o'clock, the late sheriffs, having left the
Lord Mayor at his house, attended us to Guildhall, where we were
met by our own and the former under-sheriffs, together with the
secondaries and keepers of the prisons; and the names of the
respective prisoners in each gaol being read over, the keepers
acknowledged them one by one, to be in their custody; and then
tendered us the keys, which we delivered back to them again, and after
having executed the indentures, whereby we covenanted and undertook
the charge of our office, we were invited according to custom, to an
adjoining tavern; and there partook of an entertainment of sack and
walnuts, provided by the aforesaid keepers of the prisons.

"Monday, September 29th. This being Michaelmas-day, my brother sheriff
and I set out for the first time in our new equipages and scarlet
gowns, attended by our beadles, and the several officers of our
Counters, and waited on the Lord Mayor, at Merchant Taylors' Hall, at
which he kep