robes of justice, the
alderman in their scarlet, and the sheriffs in their violet gowns,
with each a white wand in his hand, with trumpet sounding, the city
music playing along the streets, with the standard of England carried
before them. Then followed St. George's standard and company,
supported by very tall stout men, who had dresses suitable and proper
for them; in this manner they proceeded, though but slowly,
occasioned by their stopping several times in different places, to
hear the speeches which were then spoken by the free-school boys, as
before mentioned.

"Being arrived at the guildhall, in the market, the new-elected mayor
had his robe of justice put on him, the gold chain placed about his
neck, the key of the gates delivered to him according to custom: he
was then sworn; after which he generally made a speech to the
citizens. The whole body then remounted their horses, and proceeded
to the New Hall (or St. Andrew's Hall) to the dinner. As soon as the
court and their ladies, with the rest of the company, were seated,
the dinner was served up first to the mayor's table, next at St.
George's, and then, as fast as they could, all the rest of the tables
were plentifully filled with great variety of all kinds of good
eatables, but little or no butcher's meat, but as to pasties, tarts,
pickles, lobsters, salmon, sturgeon, hams, chickens, turkeys, ducks,
and pigeons, in great plenty, even to profusion; and these all served
up in order, and besides what beer every one chose to drink, either
small or strong, they had what quantity they pleased, besides a
bottle of wine, which every man had delivered to him to drink after
dinner.

As soon as dinner was over, St George's company looked into their book to
see for the names of such as were eligible to be chosen as feast-makers;
and when they had selected four persons, they walked round the hall to
look for them; and no sooner was one of them espied, than he had a
garland of roses and greens thrown over his head, and was congratulated
upon being chosen as feast-maker for the next year. If any of the four
were absent, it sufficed to send the garland to them at their own houses,
to make the appointment sure. A pecuniary fine attended a refusal to
serve.

After the choice of feast-makers was over, the "banquets" were given to
the ladies, and it growing towards eve