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That all things be brought forward and debated upon pro and con, and that what is ratified shall be written in a fair and legible hand, on vellum, for the use of posterity.*

Upon each Sunday which occurs during the time of this carnival, immediately after divine service and sermon, dinner is prepared at the Guild-hall; first, for treating the mayor, aldermen, bailiffs, recorder, and others connected with the supreme magistracy of the town; secondly, for the feasting of the trades-people, and others; thirdly, for the working classes; fourthly, for the decayed and infirm freemen of the borough, whom poverty has brought to the lowest ebb, equally participate of the benevolence of the mayor, and the rest of the body.

During the time of the guild being celebrated, the wardens of each company, with their brethren, examine the orders of their respective companies, and if they find, on mature examination, that any alteration is deemed necessary, they advertise, forthwith, the guild mayor and his brethren, that they may consider of the same; and propose to him, and receive his approbation for what may redound to the honour and credit of the borough, so that the same may not anywise militate against the known laws

* Mr. James Hodgkinson's guild was prolonged for six weeks, in consequence of these debates taking place.

of this realm. All additional regulations to be entirely approved of by the guild mayor and his brethren, and then to be regularly engrossed on parchment, and afterwards perused by the aforesaid authority.

When the conclusion of the guild merchant is come to issue, all the different companies attend, as on the first day of the guild, together with as many burgesses as can make the same convenient, upon the worshipful the guild mayor, to the Moot or Guild-hall. The court is there holden, and the burgesses' attendance is requisite, particularly the masters and wardens belonging to the various companies, who have their orders sealed de novo, and regularly entered into the guild book. Proclamation is then made three times. Each inhabitant burgess is called by his name, by the grand seneschal, or his proxy, the guild book of new orders is held up before them, and afterwards the contents thereof are read to them ; then the guild mayor saith, "Brethren, do you approve of these ordinances so done by us, which by your preceding oath (mentioned in this work) of burgesses you have engaged to fulfil; and which are consonant to the regal authority, and the laudable customs of preceding guilds;" after which, all the burgesses with one voice cry, "So be it" and the mayor concludes with "God save the

King." Then the grand seneschal, or town-clerk, affixes upon the book the grand seal of the borough, containing the holy lamb couchant, and afterwards holds up the book, saying, "Here is your law," concluding with "God save the King."

Then the sergeants make proclamation as follows:"This grand guild merchant's court is adjourned for twenty years, until a new guild merchants' court be held and duly proclaimed." They generally conclude with "God save the King," amid the noise of drums, trumpets, and loud acclamations from the surrounding multitude. The worshipful the guild mayor, with his retinue, returns from the Moot-hall, homewards; and each warden, with his respective company, to their rendezvous. The mayor gives a grand banquet, consisting of biscuit, ale, wine, and sack; afterwards they retire to some respectable innholder's within the borough, where the gentlemen and others return him thanks in appropriate speeches, telling him, with great applause from all assembled, that he has had great care, much labour, and particular charge upon his mind, in order to give true eclat to this great, grand, and unparalleled jubilee, holden and happily concluded within this borough; which guild merchant is not regularly held by many boroughs, but has fallen to decay

for want of that proper spirit, so essentially necessary to the conservation of this our ancient guild merchant of Preston.

An Account of the Guild that was held Monday, August 30,

1762.

His worship the Mayor repaired to the town-hall, about nine o'clock in the morning, where he was met by the stewards, aldermen, &c. After opening the guild merchant, by disenfranchising the freemen, and recording themselves in the new book, they proceeded to the parish church, in their proper ornaments, habits, &c. with their officers, regalia, and an excellent band of music; they were accompanied by a most brilliant and numerous appearance of nobility and gentry, dressed in the gayest and richest manner, and were attended by the several companies of trade (properly marshalled or disposed) with their ensigns displayed, &c. A good band of music preceding each company. Divine service and a sermon (preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Andrews, vicar of Preston, and chaplain to the mayor) being ended, a grand procession was begun, and continued through the principal streets: nothing could be more sumptuous or striking; the whole was splendid and magnificent, and

gave every beholder the greatest joy and satisfaction. Fifty ladies and gentlemen, of superior rank, dined this day, with the mayor and his lady, at the Guild-hall. The entertainment (which was provided under the direction of Mr. Baker, of York) afforded much pleasure. The table was covered with the utmost taste and magnificence, and supplied with all the delicacies, that the most luxurious fancy could invent, the season furnish, or expence procure; and no care or pains were omitted to render every thing as commodious and agreeable as possible.

The mayor's table was, during the Guild, adorned with a great variety of emblematical ornaments; and no expence was spared that might serve to improve its splendour, elegance, and accommodations: every person was supplied with plenty, and dispatch, and yet the several services were performed without hurry and confusion. At this table the mayor and his lady entertained fifty ladies and gentleman every day, except at the races, (which continued four days) when the mayor favoured the gentlemen with his company at the ordinaries; and forty ladies, besides the chaplain, dined each day with Mrs. Mayoress at the Guild-hall.

Tuesday, August 31.

About ten o'clock in the morning, Mrs. Mayoress was waited upon, in the grand rooms of the town and

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