In the intermediate time they prepared for the due execution of their duties, chose their under-sheriff’s, &c.; and, “as it is customary for each sheriff to preside over the two Counters separately, my brother Marshall chose that in the Poultry, and the care of Wood-street Counter was under my direction, and we agreed, at our joint expense, to give the usual livery gowns to the officers of both, although they are greater in number at the Poultry than in mine; in recompense for which, it was settled that we should equally share in the sale of the places upon any vacancy.”

On Sunday, the 28th of September, the sheriffs elect met at ten o’clock in the morning, at Drapers’ Hall, “and there entertained several of the Court of Aldermen, and sixteen of the Court of Assistance of each of the Companies, viz:  the Goldsmiths and the Drapers, with the usual breakfast of roast beef, burnt wine,” &c.  He continues,—­

“Upon notice sent to us, that the Lord Mayor, with George Heathcote, and Sir John Lequesne, aldermen and sheriffs for the last year were attending at the council chamber, Guildhall, we all repaired thither; the gentlemen of the Court of Assistance walking two by two, the senior sheriff’s company on the right hand, the aldermen following in their coaches; in which, we, though sheriffs-elect, took our rank as aldermen.  Upon coming up to the area of Guildhall, the two companies made a lane for the aldermen to pass through, and after having waited on my Lord Mayor to Guildhall Chapel, to hear divine service, we returned back to the court of the hustings, which being opened by the common cryer, we were summoned to come forth and take the oath of office; which we accordingly did, together with the oaths of allegiance and abjuration; and the same was also administered to Mr. Tims, (clerk to St. Bartholomews,) as under-sheriff, he kneeling all the while.

“When this was over, the gold chains were taken off from the former sheriffs, and put on us; and then the court being dissolved, the Lord Mayor went home, attended by the former sheriffs, and we returned back to Drapers’ Hall to our dinner, provided for the Court of Aldermen and Courts of Assistance, at which the senior alderman took the chair as president, and the rest of the aldermen and gentlemen of Guildhall took their places at the upper table, whilst we, the sheriffs, sat at the head of the second table, with the gentlemen of the Courts of Assistance of our two companies.  When dinner was over, and the healths of the royal family were drunk, the cryer proclaimed the health and prosperity to the two sheriffs’ companies in the following manner; that is to say, ’Prosperity to the worshipful Company of Drapers, and prosperity to the worshipful Company of Goldsmiths:  to the Goldsmiths and Drapers, and Drapers and Goldsmiths, prosperity to both:’  and this is so usually done, naming each company first alternately, to prevent any dispute concerning preference or priority.