with _Two Necks_." But this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has
arisen on the subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans,
performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at their
head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by an unlucky
asperite, into swan-_hopping_, which is perfectly unintelligible.


_Trial of the Pix._

The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its introduction into
our courts, is probably of high antiquity, being mentioned in the time
of Edward I., as a mode well known and of common usage. At present it is
seldom required, except on the removal of the master of the Mint from
his office. Upon a memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this
officer, a summons issues to certain members of the privy council to
meet on a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the
wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a
competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to judge of,
and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be found, to be of a
jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these persons are sworn, who
are directed by the president to examine whether the moneys were made
according to the indenture, and standard trial pieces, and within the
remedies. But in 1754, Lord Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to
express precisely how much the money was within the remedies; and the
practice which he thus enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box
containing the coins to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who
retire to the court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is
removed, together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where
the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which is so
delicate, that it will turn with _six grains_, when loaded with the