The Corporation of London, Its Rights and Privileges eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 70 pages of information about The Corporation of London, Its Rights and Privileges.

The Corporation of London, Its Rights and Privileges eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 70 pages of information about The Corporation of London, Its Rights and Privileges.
As in the Hustings Court, the actual judge is the Recorder, though the Lord Mayor and Aldermen are supposed to preside.  In some respects, this court is one of equity, with the advantage over the Court of Chancery of being at the same time more expeditious, quite as equitable, and far less expensive.  As a court of common law, it takes cognizance of all personal and mixed actions, without exception, and in its operations and bearings is altogether a striking example of the benefits incidental to local self-government.  The Sheriffs’ Court of the City of London for the recovery of small debts is also admirably adapted to the requirements of a free commercial people, and is of inestimable value to the small tradesmen of London.

Public Charities.

The monastic institutions in Roman Catholic countries provide for, and thereby foster, a large amount of idle and reckless habits.  Previous to the Reformation, this was certainly the case in England.  Not only the sick, the maimed, and the accidentally necessitous were fed and clothed,—­the same indiscriminating charity was extended to those far less worthy of the sympathy of their fellow-creatures.  On the suppression of conventual establishments, it would have fared badly with the deserving poor in London had not the Corporation stepped forward to help them.  At present, the princely sum of 10,000 pounds is annually disbursed from the corporate funds in contributions to various hospitals, asylums, schools, dispensaries, and local charities; but even this large sum of money would be inadequate to the purpose, were it not supplemented by the individual munificence of the citizens.  The Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, the Aldermen, and the other civic dignitaries vie with one another in an open-handed liberality, which asks no other condition than that the recipient shall actually stand in need of aid, and be worthy of relief and assistance.  It is much to be feared, however, that with the declining influence of the Corporation, the stream of private charity will also dry up.  The continued payment of the 10,000 pounds a year may, indeed, be secured by Act of Parliament; but no Act of Parliament can alter human nature.  Proud of their position as the chosen delegates and representatives of their fellow-citizens, among whom they and their fathers have lived for generations, the City potentates have, of their abundance, contributed lavishly and without stint to every local institution deserving of sympathy and support.  And not only these, but the livery companies likewise have given lordly amounts to charitable establishments both within and without the City liberties, and have founded schools in many distant parts of the kingdom.  But if the Corporation is to be “reformed” after the manner of Sir George Grey and his coadjutors—­if the esprit de corps, which is now so beneficially and beneficently exhibited, is to be suppressed, what reasonable hope remains that men who have been arbitrarily

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The Corporation of London, Its Rights and Privileges from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.