the same company as on the preceding day, and waiting on the Lord
Mayor in the Council Chamber, requested that his lordship and the
recorder would present them at his Majesty's Court of Exchequer. Each
sheriff then paid the usual fees, viz. _6l. 13s. 4d._ to the Lord
Mayor, and _3l. 6s. 8d._ to the recorder; after which, they proceeded
to the Three Cranes' Stairs, in Upper Thames Street, "the Lord Mayor
first; we, the sheriffs, next; the recorder and aldermen following in
coaches, the companies walking before us.

"From thence we went to Westminster in the city barge, taking place
of all the aldermen: and our two companies attended in the Goldsmiths'
barge, as before agreed on, adorned with half the colours, and rowed
with half the watermen belonging to the Drapers' company. On landing,
the companies went first, the Lord Mayor next, then the recorder with
a sheriff on each side, and last the aldermen. On our approaching the
bar of the Exchequer [in Westminster Hall,] the recorder, in a speech,
presented us to the Court, one of the Barons being seated there for
that purpose, signifying the choice the citizens had made, and that,
in pursuance of our charter, we were presented to his Majesty's
justices for his royal approbation; and the Baron accordingly
approving the choice, he, and the Clerks of the Exchequer, were
invited to our dinner; then the late sheriffs were sworn to their
accounts, and made their proffers; and the senior alderman present
cut one twig in two, and bent another, and the officers of the court
counted six horse-shoes and hob-nails.

"This formality, it is said, is passed through each year, by way
of suit and service for the citizens holding some tenements in St.
Clement's Danes, as also some other lands; but where they are situated
no one knows, nor doth the city receive any rents or profits thereby.