Speaking of the Easter Entertainments, our journalist states the following particulars as the cause of their origin:—­

“The original institution of those entertainments was occasioned by the Lord Mayor and the two sheriffs being accustomed to, separately, ask such of their friends who were aldermen or governors of the hospitals, whom they saw at church, to dine with them at their own houses.  But in process of time, it was agreed that the Lord Mayor should invite all that were at church on the first day; and the two sheriff’s, in their turn, on the next succeeding days.  Hence, by degrees, they began to invite other of their friends; and the aldermen bringing their ladies, other ladies were also invited, so that the private houses not being large enough, they began to entertain at their respective halls:  whence it is now brought to pass, that these Easter entertainments are become the chiefest articles of expense both to the Lord Mayor and the two sheriffs.

“Monday, April 6th.  The sessions began at Guildhall, but the Lord Mayor dispensed with the presence of the sheriffs, on account that we this day were obliged to attend at Westminster, where we were to make our proffers at the Exchequer by a tender of 40_s_.; and which was accordingly made by one of the secondaries at the Tally-office; by which, and the annual rent of 300_l_., the citizens of London hold and enjoy the Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex according to their charter.  Afterwards we entertained all the Exchequer officers, according to ancient custom, with fifty-two calves’ heads, dressed in different manners.”

On the 20th of April the sheriffs accompanied the Lord Mayor to hold a Court Baron and Court Leet at the Mitre in St. James’s parish, in Duke’s-place, which is “a franchise within the liberty of London.”  After a jury had been sworn, &c., the names of the inhabitants being called over, those who were absent and sent no excuse were amerced, but those who sent “their excuses by their friends, paid only leet pence.”  The court then granted licenses to the public houses, and swore in the headboroughs, constables, and other officers.

On the 27th of May the sheriffs (by invitation, they having no concern with the jurisdiction of the court,) attended the Lord Mayor to Stratford, in Essex, and Greenwich in Kent, to hold “his Court of Conservancy of the navigation and fishery of the River Thames, from Staines bridge, in Middlesex, down to the mouth of the river Medway, at Sheerness, beyond the Nore;” he “being personally himself, by virtue of his office, the sole Conservator.”  On returning, “a little after ten o’clock,” the party attempted to land at the King’s Stairs at the tower, “but they being shut, and, after waiting some time, the wardour refusing to open them,” they were obliged to proceed to the common stairs near that fortress.