The Israelites were commanded by Jehovah himself to fast on the appearance of any plague, famine, war, &c.; and though they sadly neglected the commands of God in other particulars, yet they obeyed this command with great devotedness.  The abstinence of the ancient Jews generally lasted from twenty-six to twenty-seven hours.  On these days they wore sackcloth, laid themselves in ashes, and sprinkled them on their heads, in token of their great grief and penitence.  Some spent the whole night in the synagogue; occasionally using with great effect a scourge as a penance for their sins, or as a stimulant to devout behaviour.  We think it is not improbable that it is from the Jews that the Roman Catholics derived their scourging penance system.

In “happy smiling England,” fasting was, and is, practised by the Catholics every Friday; it was also practised by the fathers of the church, and the primitive Protestants, at stated seasons.  The custom is still observed amongst the methodists, who follow the example of their great leader, Wesley.  The rust of time has, however, worn away the veneration for this “good old system,” and it is totally disused by the general body of Protestants, except on great national occasions.

E.J.H.

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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

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Sheriffs of London.

[The subsequent paper extracted from Mr. Brayley’s laboriously-compiled Londiniana possesses more than a passing interest.  Its neatness and perspicuity as a Journal will doubtless be appreciated by the reader.]

The following particulars relating to the office of Sheriff, are derived from a manuscript copy of the Journal of Richard Hoare, Esq. during the year of his Shrievalty, in 1740-41, in his own hand-writing, which is now in the possession of his grandson, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart., of Stourhead, in Wiltshire.  The above year became memorable in the city annals, from their having been three Lord Mayors during its progress, viz.  Sir John Salter, knight; Humphry Parsons, Esq., and Daniel Lambert, Esq.

Mr. Hoare, who was a banker, in Fleet Street, and principal of the respectable house which, instituted by one of his predecessors, still bears the family name, was elected alderman of the Ward of Farringdon Without, on St. George’s day, 1740, in the place of Sir Francis Child, who died on the preceding Sunday, April the 20th.  This honour was conferred upon him, whilst he was at Bath, and quite unexpectedly; and equally so, was his election to the Sheriffdom, conjointly with Mr. Alderman Marshall, on the midsummer-day following.  Shortly afterwards they gave bonds under the penalty of 1,000_l_. to undertake and enter upon the office on the ensuing Michaelmas eve; and “thereupon, became each entitled to 100_l_. out of the forfeitures of those, who had this year been nominated to be sheriff’s by my Lord Mayor, but had paid their fines to be excused.”