CONTENTS. To the most Illustrious Mourner in the New Year. By Mrs. Acton Tindal 91 The Worries of a Chaperone; or, Lady Marabout's Troubles. By Ouida. Season the Third.-The Climax Recreations in Switzerland. An Ascent of Mont Combin from St. Pierre. 389 History of the First Battalion of Royal Marines in China, from 1857 to BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY. THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON: OR, CITY LIFE IN THE LAST CENTURY.* BY WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. Book the First. GUILDHALL. I. LORD MAYOR'S DAY, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. On the Ninth of November, 1761, there was great jubilation in the City of London. On that day, the Right Hon. Sir Gresham Lorimer, Knight, draper, alderman for Cheap ward, and member of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Tailors, entered upon his duties as first magistrate of the first city in the world. Most auspiciously did his mayoralty commence. Called by the popular voice to the civic chair, his election had been almost unanimous, there being only one vote for the brother alderman, nominated with him by the livery; and when the choice of the court was made known by the Recorder, the announcement was received with great cheering. The applause was even more vehement when, being called forth, the Lord Mayor elect was invested withthe chain, and returned thanks for the great honour done him. Subsequently, on his being presented to the Lord Chancellor by the Recorder, the approbation of the crown was very graciously communicated to him by his lordship. The farewell dinner given by Sir Gresham in conjunction with Sir Matthew Blakiston, the retiring Lord Mayor was remarkable, even in the City, for splendour and profusion, gave promise of many a glorious banquet to follow. Special circumstances conspired to give additional lustre to our Lord Mayor's Day. Not only was he generally respected by his fellow citizens; not only was he certain of an enthusiastic reception from the thousands assembled to greet him on his way to Westminster; not only had unwonted care been bestowed on the procession destined to attend him; not only were some of the old civic pageants-the delight of the multitude-to be revived for the occasion; but on that day the young and newly* All rights reserved. VOL. LI. B married George III. was about to honour the City with his presence-according to custom, it being the first Lord Mayor's Day after his coronation-to view the show, and partake afterwards of the grand civic feast at Guildhall. As the young monarch would be accompanied on this occasion by his queen, the whole of the royal family and the court, extraordinary preparations were made for their reception. As usual, the day was kept as a general holiday. The shops were closed, and business altogether suspended. Bells were rung, guns fired, and other noisy demonstrations of delight made. Scaffoldings were erected by the City companies for the accommodation of their wardens and liverymen at various points calculated to command a good view of the procession. Many of the houses were richly decorated and hung with flags and banners, and arrangements were made for a general illumination at night. Four regiments of the London Militia were ordered to line the way from Temple-bar to the top of Ludgate-hill, and took up their position betimes. The Mounted Train Bands were stationed at intervals from Saint Paul's Churchyard to the Mansion House. All public vehicles were prohibited in the principal thoroughfares, and no private carriages were allowed to pass along Cheapside, or approach Guildhall, whence the procession was to start at eleven o'clock, except those belonging to the aldermen and sheriffs, or other personages connected with the show. A vast and continually-increasing concourse filled Cheapside and the streets leading to Blackfriars, where the Lord Mayor was to embark in his state barge and proceed by water to Westminster, and a good many brawls and disturbances took place, which the combined efforts of the militia and the peace-officers scarcely sufficed to check-the mobs in those days being very turbulent and pugnacious, and exceedingly ready, not only with sticks and bludgeons, but with such weapons as nature had provided them withal. Broken pates, damaged noses, or darkened orbs of vision generally followed these conflicts. However, as on this occasion the bulk of the crowd consisted of decently-behaved citizens, who had brought their wives and daughters with them to see the lord mayor's show, the quarrels were of rarer occurrence than usual, and more speedily subdued. High and low, masters and apprentices, were dressed in holiday attire, and, to judge from their looks, full of glee, and bent upon enjoyment. Fortunately for all concerned in the show, whether as actors or spectators, the day was remarkably fine. The sun shone forth brilliantly, gladdening every heart, while the prescriptive fogs of November held good-naturedly aloof. Before proceeding further, it may be proper to say a few words concerning the hero of the day. Sir Gresham Loriner's previous history is soon told, being unmarked by any exciting incident or adventure. His career had been simply that of a citizen, who, by in |