not a Man in London, whose Suit in this matter could be more unreasonable. That the Example were prerillous to the City, considering the great Charge that was to be born in these Offices, and the Unwillingness of miserable rich Men to take that Charge upon them. For one Precedent being had, they by this and like ways would always travail to be discharged; and good Men, weaker in Wealth, should for love to the City be driven to undo themselves, by taking such Offices upon them; and finally the City unserved.

The Wards are to elect their Aldermen and Common Councilmen. But for the regulating and adjusting of the Nomination of an Alderman, and electing of Common Councilmen from time to time, was an Act of Common Council made, Sir Thomas Stamp Maior, Anno 1692. By which Act it was declared, "That it is, and anciently hath been the Right and Privilege of the Freemen of the City only, being Housholders, paying Scot and bearing Lot, and of none other whatsoever, in their respective Wards, from time to time to nominate Aldermen, and elect Common Councilmen. And it was enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that at all Wardmoots the Beadles of the respective Wards shall prepare and deliver to the Aldermen of the several Wards, or to such as shall be deputed and authorized to hold the same, one List of all the Freemen aforesaid, dwelling within the respective Wards, and also another List of other Housholders within the Ward: To the intent that such Freemen Housholders within the Wards only, as often as there is occasion, may nominate Aldermen and elect Common Councilmen; and that together with other Housholders they may choose their Constables, Scavengers, Inquest and Beadles. And to all and every Precept and Precepts hereafter to issue, and to be sent out for sommoning Wardmoots, this present Act be annexed and affixed. And before any Nomination or Election, the same to be publickly read and declared to the Persons who shall be and appear at such Courts."

All the Aldermen that have past the Chair, and the three eldest Aldermen that have not been Maiors, are by their Charter Justices of the Peace within the City and Freedom thereof.]

As the Wards were placed and treated of before in this Book, according to the order of their beginning Eastward; so the Names of the Aldermen that had the Government and Direction of them in the Year 1633 (when this Survey was last published) are set down; That is, not according to their Degree as Knights, but as the Wards stand, so do the Aldermen respectively.

To each of the Wards, besides an Alderman, belong his Deputy, and divers Common Councilmen, more or less, according to the Largeness and Extent of the Ward. I here insert the Names of them as they are at present, or lately were, from a printed List of them.