or's allowance, and
requiring him only to provide the swordbearer's table on state days."

The estimate made for the expenditure at the Mansion House by the
committee of the Corporation, is founded upon the average of many years,
but in such mayoralties as Curtis, Pirie, and Wilson, far more must have
been spent. It is said that only one Lord Mayor ever saved anything out
of his salary.

"Sir James Saunderson, Mayor in 1792-3, left behind him a minute account
of the expenses of his year of office, for the edification of his
successors. The document is lengthy, but we shall select a few of the
more striking items. Paid--Butcher for twelve months, L781 10s. 10d.;
one item in this account is for meat given to the prisoners at Ludgate,
at a cost of L68 10s. 8d. The wines are, of course, expensive.
1792--Paid, late Lord Mayor's stock, L57 7s. 11d.; hock, 35 dozen, L82
14s. 0d.; champagne, 40 ditto, at 43s., L85 19s. 9d.; claret, 154 ditto,
at 34s. 10d. per dozen, L268 12s. 7d.; Burgundy, 30 ditto, L76 5s. 0d.;
port, 8 pipes, 400 dozen, L416 4s. 0d.; draught ditto, for Lord Mayor's
day, L49 4s. 0d.; ditto, ditto, for Easter Monday, L28 4s. 3d.--L493
12s. 3d.; Madeira, 32 dozen, L59 16s. 4d.; sherry, 61 dozen, L67 1s.
0d.; Lisbon, one hogshead, at 34s. per dozen, L62 12s. 0d.; bottles to
make good, broke and stole, L97 13s. 6d.; arrack, L8 8s. 0d.; brandy, 25
gallons, L18 11s. 0d.; rum, 6-1/2 ditto, L3 19s. 6d. Total, L1,309 12s.
10d."

[Illustration: INTERIOR OF THE EGYPTIAN HALL.]

"These items of costume are curious:--Lady Mayoress, November 30.--A
hoop, L2 16s. 0d.; point ruffles, L12 12s. 0d.; treble blond ditto, L7
7s. 0d.; a fan, L3 3s. 0d.; a cap and lappets, L7 7s. 0d.; a cloak and
sundries, L26 17s. 0d.; hair ornaments, L34 0s. 0d.; a cap, L7 18s. 0d.;
sundries, L37 9s. 1d. 1793, Jan. 26.--A silk, for 9th Nov., 3-1/2
guineas per yard, L41 6s. 0d.; a petticoat (Madame Beauvais), L35 3s.
6d.; a gold chain, L57 15s. 0d.; silver silk, L13 0s. 0d.; clouded
satin, L5 10s. 0d.; a petticoat for Easter, L29 1s. 0d.; millinery, for
ditto, L27 17s. 6d.; hair-dressing, L13 2s. 3d. July 6th.--A petticoat,
L6 16s. 8d.; millinery, L7 8s. 8d.; mantua-maker, in full, L13 14s. 6d.;
milliner, in full, L12 6s. 6d. Total, L416 2s. 0d. The Lord Mayor's
dress:--Two wigs, L9 9s. 0d.; a velvet suit, L54 8s. 0d.; other clothes,
L117 13s. 4d.; hats and hose, L9 6s. 6d.; a scarlet robe, L14 8s. 6d.; a
violet ditto, L12 1s. 6d.; a gold chain