Eureka Reporter | 1905-03-31 | Page 7 | London's Lord Mayor

i HIS POSITION ONE OF HIGH HONOR AND DIGNITY elaborate ceremonies and formalities surround the head of the worlds greatest city takes precedence of all but the sovereign perhaps no office to which Is elected by the people has more attendant glories than that of lord mayor of london it Is also surround ed with the most elaborate formali ties he has gowns of scarlet violet and black for various occasions and a train bearer the lady has maids of honor and her train Is borne by pages in costume in the city the mayor takes precedence am mediately after the sovereign A quaint feudal ceremony which was strictly observed in the late queens jubilee in is that of handing the sword of state to the sovereign at the temple bar the lord mayor has a choice of four swords the sword of state for supreme occa the pearl sword for ceremonial occasions and the black sword car ried when there Is a death in the roy al family and when attending funeral ceremonies the fourth sword is held above the lord mayors chair in the criminal court then there are other emblems of office the diamond tre the seal the purse and the mace they play an important part in the inaugural ceremonies of the mayor the city chamberlain with three obeis ances presents the scepter to the retiring mayor he in turn de livers it to his Buc cesor who lays it on the table ir front of him the chamberlain retires with three more tows to return with the seal and three more reverences the purse is similarly presented further ceremonies follow from the sword bearer aho vho renders up the sword the mace bearer also gives up the mace in a similar way the retiring lord may or then surrenders the keys ot the coffer in which the seal is kept there are three keys of the other two one is held by the chamberlain the second by the chairman of the lands committee to unlock the cot fei all three must be produced this cremon lal has great historic interest it implies th sovereign power and au in ancient times of the chief magistrate of the city the scepter sword and mace are emblems of roy alty the lord mayor was a mer chant prince in fact as well as in name he is still by virtue of his of fice admiral of the port of london gauger of wine and oil and other gau gable articles meter of coal grain salt and fruit and inspector of hops and butter soap cheese and other articles coming into the port of london of course these duties are performed by deputy other dagni fed offices which he holds are gov arnor of tour hospitals trustee of st paul s cathedral and magistrate in several places