The sheriffs also are sheriffs of the county of Middlesex as well as of London.And here I shall take an opportunity to observe, that the number of aldermen are twenty-six; the number of Common-Council men two hundred and thirty-four; the number of companies eighty-four; and the number of citizens on the livery, who have a voice in their elections, are computed to be between seven and eight thousand.The twelve principal companies are:- 1.The Mercers; 2.
Grocers; 3.Drapers; 4.Fishmongers; 5.Goldsmiths; 6.Skinners; 7.
Merchant-Tailors; 8.Haberdashers; 9.Salters; 10.Ironmongers; 11.
Vintners; 12.Clothworkers.The others:- are 13.The Dyers; 14.
Brewers; 15.Leather-Sellers; 16.Pewterers; 17.Barber-Surgeons;18.Cutlers; 19.Bakers; 20.Wax-Chandlers; 21.Tallow-Chandlers;22.Armourers; 23.Girdlers; 24.Butchers; 25.Saddlers; 26.
Carpenters; 27.Cord-wainers; 28.Painter-stainers; 29.Curriers;30.Masons; 31.Plumbers; 32.Innholders; 33.Founders; 34.
Poulterers; 35.Cooks; 36.Coopers; 37.Tilers and Bricklayers; 38.
Bowyers; 39.Fletchers; 40.Blacksmiths; 41.Joiners; 42.Weavers;43.Woolmen; 44.Scriveners; 45.Fruiterers; 46.Plasterers; 47.
Stationers; 48.Embroiderers; 49.Upholders; 50.Musicians; 51.
Turners; 52.*Basket-makers; 53.Glaziers; 54.*Horners; 55.
Farriers; 56.*Paviours; 57.Lorimers; 58.Apothecaries; 59.
Shipwrights; 60.*Spectacle-makers; 61.*Clock-makers; 62.*Glovers;63.*Comb-makers; 64.*Felt-makers; 65.Frame-work Knitters; 66.
*Silk throwers; 67.Carmen; 68.*Pin-makers; 69.Needle-makers; 70.
Gardeners; 71.Soap-makers; 72.Tin-plate Workers; 73.Wheelwrights;74.Distillers; 75.Hatband-makers; 76.Patten-makers; 77.
Glasssellers; 78.Tobacco-pipe makers; 79.Coach and Coach-harness makers; 80.Gun-makers; 81.Gold and Silver Wire-Drawers; 82.Long Bow-string makers; 83.Card-makers; 84.Fan-makers.
The companies marked with an * before them have no liverymen, and all the freemen of the rest are not upon the livery, that is, entitled to wear the gowns belonging to the respective companies, and vote in elections, but a select number of freemen only.Every company is a distinct corporation, being incorporated by grants from the crown, or acts of parliament, and having certain rules, liberties, and privileges, for the better support and government of their several trades and mysteries: many of them are endowed with lands to a great value, and have their masters, wardens, assistants, clerks, and other officers, to direct and regulate their affairs, and to restrain and punish abuses incident to their several trades;and when any disputes arise concerning the due execution of these charters, the Lord Mayor has a supreme power to determine the case and to punish the offenders.
The military government of the City of London is lodged in the lieutenancy, consisting of the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and other principal citizens, who receive their authority from his majesty's commission, which he revokes and alters as often as he sees fit.
These have under their command six regiments of foot, viz.:- 1, The White; 2, the Orange; 3, the Yellow; 4, the Blue; 5, the Green; and 6, the Red Regiment--in every one of which are eight companies, consisting of one hundred and fifty men each; in all, seven thousand two hundred men: besides which there is a kind of independent company, called the artillery company, consisting of seven or eight hundred volunteers, whose skill in military discipline is much admired by their fellow-citizens.These exercise frequently in the artillery ground, engage in mock fights and sieges, and storm the dunghills with great address.
The Tower Hamlets, it has been observed already, are commanded by the lieutenant of the Tower, and consist of two regiments of foot, eight hundred each: so that the whole militia of London, exclusive of Westminster and Southwark, amount to near ten thousand men.
London, like other cities of the kingdom, is, or ought to be, governed by its bishop in spirituals, though his authority is very little regarded at present.The justices of peace at their sessions may empower any man to preach and administer the sacraments, let his occupation or qualifications be never so mean; nor do they ever refuse it to a person who is able to raise the small sum of -- pence being less a great deal than is paid for licensing a common alehouse.A clergyman indeed cannot be entitled to a benefice without being, in some measure, subject to his diocesan; but he may throw off his gown, and assemble a congregation that shall be much more beneficial to him, and propagate what doctrines he sees fit (as is evident in the case of orator Henley): but to proceed.
The diocese of London is in the province of Canterbury, and comprehends the counties of Middlesex and Essex, and part of Hertfordshire; the British plantations in America are also subject to this bishop.To the cathedral of St.Paul belongs a dean, three residentiaries, a treasurer, chancellor, precentor, and thirty prebendaries.The Bishop of London takes place next to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, but his revenues are not equal to those of Durham or Winchester.The deanery of St.Paul's is said to be worth a thousand pounds per annum, and each of the residentiaries about three hundred pounds per annum.
The parishes within the walls of London are ninety-seven; but several of them having been united since the Fire, there are at present but sixty-two parish churches, and consequently the same number of parish priests: the revenues of these gentlemen are seldom less than 100 pounds per annum, and none more than 200 pounds per annum.They appear to be most of them about 150 pounds per annum, besides their several parsonage houses and surplice fees; and most of them have lectureships in town, or livings in the country, or some other spiritual preferment of equal value.
