. My Lord Mayor had
a low gallery built on purpose in his hall, where he stood a little
removed from the crowd when any complaint came to be heard, that he
might appear with as much safety as possible.

Likewise the proper officers, called my Lord Mayor's officers,
constantly attended in their turns, as they were in waiting; and if
any of them were sick or infected, as some of them were, others were
instantly employed to fill up and officiate in their places till it was
known whether the other should live or die.

In like manner the sheriffs and aldermen did in their several stations
and wards, where they were placed by office, and the sheriff's officers
or sergeants were appointed to receive orders from the respective
aldermen in their turn, so that justice was executed in all cases
without interruption. In the next place, it was one of their particular
cares to see the orders for the freedom of the markets observed, and
in this part either the Lord Mayor or one or both of the sheriffs were
every market-day on horseback to see their orders executed and to see
that the country people had all possible encouragement and freedom in
their coming to the markets and going back again, and that no nuisances
or frightful objects should be seen in the streets to terrify them or
make them unwilling to come. Also the bakers were taken under particular
order, and the Master of the Bakers' Company was, with his court
of assistants, directed to see the order of my Lord Mayor for their
regulation put in execution, and the due assize of bread (which was
weekly appointed by my Lord Mayor) observed; and all the bakers were
obliged to keep their oven going constantly, on pain of losing the
privileges of a freeman of the city of London.

By this means bread was always to be had in plenty, and as cheap
as usual, as I said above; and provisions were never wanting in
the markets, even to such a degree that I often wondered at it, and
reproached myself with being so timorous and cautious in stirring
abroad, when the country people came freely and boldly to market, as if
there had been no manner of infection in the city, or danger of catching
it.

It. was indeed one admirable piece of conduct in the said magistrates
that the streets were kept constantly dear and free from all manner of
frightful objects, dead bodies, or any such things as were indecent
or unpleasant--unless where anybody fell down suddenly or died in the
streets, as I have