purpose than that of charity. The collection commenced by a
contribution from each member of the inquest, each giving liberally,
and setting a generous example. All these necessary preliminaries
being settled, every man of us got into a handsome cloak, trimmed with
fur, hired for the occasion, at a cost of five shillings per head,
and, with the beadle of the ward blazing in scarlet and gold, pacing
majestically beneath a three-cornered hat, and pushing a ponderous
gold mace in advance, we were marched off to Guildhall, to pass muster
before Gog and Magog, and to be presented to his worship the lord
mayor. His lordship, who was surrounded by a staff of officials in
gorgeous liveries, was very glad to see us: indeed he told us so--said
that he was extremely gratified at receiving so highly respectable a
company, and expressed more than once his satisfaction at finding that
we were so ready to act in the cause of charity as to sacrifice our
valuable time, and unite together for the succour of the distressed.
He addressed us, in fact, for nearly a minute and a half; after which,
as time was pressing, and others were waiting to be presented, we were
signaled forward to a side-door, and made a very sudden exit into the
street, whence we marched back to the vestry to disrobe, with the
exception of some few of our number, who knowing that the business of
the charity was done for the day, abandoned their cloaks to the care
of the owner, who contrives generally to be in attendance at this
critical moment, and proceeded to look after their own private
affairs. We all met, however, in the evening, and partook of a
substantial dinner, to which, according to a custom which has
prevailed from time immemorial, the church-wardens of the parish and
the foreman and treasurer of the inquest of the preceding year were
invited. The dinner went off, as a dinner should do, with perfect
harmony and good-feeling; and some very excellent speeches were made
on the subject of the inquest--its undeniable efficacy and utility,