mystery.  These companies were not all equally regarded by either the sovereign or the citizens.  Towards the close of the reign of Edward II. the more important companies separated from the less wealthy; and this distinction was soon so far recognized, that precedency was given to the following twelve companies:- 1.  Mercers; 2.  Grocers; 3.  Drapers; 4.  Fishmongers; 5.  Goldsmiths; 6.  Skinners; 7.  Merchant Tailors; 8.  Haberdashers; 9.  Salters; 10.  Ironmongers; 11.  Vintners; 12.  Cloth workers.  In these companies the freemen from early times have been of two classes; the upper, entitled to wear the “livery” or uniform of the company; and the lower, consisting mostly of workmen.  The representatives of the companies were chosen from the former, and are mentioned in the charters as probi homines.  In the fifteenth year of Edward IV. the Common Council enacted, that the masters, wardens, and probi homines of the several mysteries should repair to the Guildhall in their last liveries, for the purpose of electing the Lord Mayor, sheriffs, and other civic officers; and that the members of the Common Council should be the only other persons present.  This court now consists of the Lord Mayor or his deputy—­an alderman who has passed the chair—­four aldermen, and the liverymen of the companies who are also freemen.  Their office is to elect the Lord Mayor, sheriffs, chamberlain, bridge-master, and auditors of the City and Bridge-house accounts, and the four ale-conners.  The official style of the court is, “A Meeting or Assembly of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Liverymen of the several Companies of the City of London in Common Hall assembled.”  The franchise is confined to liverymen of a year’s standing, who have paid their livery fines in full, without receiving any drawback or allowance.  The mode of proceeding is by a show of hands, but a poll may be demanded by any of the candidates, or by two electors.

The Sheriffs.

The office of Sheriff has somewhat fallen from its ancient “high estate.”  According to Stow, they were formerly “the mayor’s eyes, seeing and supporting part of the case, which the person of the mayor is not alone sufficient to bear.”  In olden times the sheriffs were always conjoined with the mayor and aldermen in proclamations requiring them to preserve the peace of the City.  From a very remote period the right of electing these officers belonged to the citizens, and later charters acknowledge and confirm the privilege.  Henry I. granted to them to hold Middlesex to farm, for 300 pounds a year, and to appoint their own sheriff; while the second charter of John confirms to them the sheriffwick of London and Middlesex at the rent or farm of 300 pounds, “blank sterling money,” and declares that they “shall make amongst themselves sheriffs whom they will, and remove them when they will.”  In those times this was a very important privilege, for the sheriff, or shire-reve, as the king’s bailiff, was possessed of extraordinary