FUSTERS, or SEELERS of London. They seem to be Saddletree-makers. These came before John le Blund, Maior, [in the Reign of Edward II. about the Year 1307.] and the Aldermen, and prayed, that the Points or Articles of the Mystery de Fuste, [of Fusters,] which were used in the times of their Ancestors, might yet be held and used; and by six honest Men of the Mystery might be searched and tried: That is, that no Fustier make Arzsons de Seels, i.e. Bows or Trees of Saddles, but of Quarter; and that le Fust, i.e. The Staff, be dry before it be painted. And that each Fuster have one certain Mark to mark all his Arzsouns, i.e. Saddle Bows, that he makes; and that no Painter put Paint or Colour upon an Arzsun made out of the City.

THESE were a Company who dealt in the Skins of dead Horses and other Creatures, and flawed them. Which they sometimes did within the City. Which was such an Annoyance, that it seems it was complained of to the Maior and Aldermen. And in the Maioralty of Richard de Refham, Ann. 4. Regni Regis Edw. fil. Regis Edw. Walter le Whitawyer, Richard de Hundesdich, John le Megucer, Richard le Megucer, were sworn, that they shall never hereafter flaw, or cause to be flawed, dead Horses within the City or Suburbs, by themselves or others, under pain of danger to fall upon them. And if any of the aforesaid sworn Persons should hereafter see any flawing any Horse within the City or Suburbs, presently to inform the Maior for the time being.

CAPELLARII, Cappers. Hugh Fitz-Otonis being Custos of the City, 54 Hen. III. were made certain Ordinances for the Trade of the Cappers, in the presence of the Aldermen, and by their unanimous Consent; viz. That none should make a Cap but of good White or Grey Wool, or Black. That none dye a Cap made of White or Grey Wood, into Black; because there is very great Deceit therein; for coming into the Rain, they fall, or lose Colour, &c.

There was an Act 13 Eliz. in favour of these Cappers, which Trade began then to grow into decay. In this Act was declared, what abundance of poor People, with Women and Children, were employed; as also halt, decrepit, lame, in sundry Exercises belonging to that Trade; as, Carders, Spinners, Knitters, Parters of Wool, Forcers, Thickers, Dressers, Walkers, Dyers, Batelers, Shearers, Pressers, Edgers, Liners, Band-makers, and other Exercises; who have thereby maintained themselves and their Families. And the said Act mentioneth, how the wearing of these Caps were very decent and comely for all Estates and Degrees, especially for such as inhabit Cities, Boroughs, Towns, Villages and Hamlets within the Realm. The Act also specified what sort of Persons must wear these Caps, and when: Viz. All above the Age of six Years, except Maidens, Ladies and Gentlewomen inhabiting within Cities, Boroughs, Towns, &c. and except Noble Persons, Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen of the Possession of 20 Mark by the Year; and except all that have born Office of Worship in any City, &c. These shall wear upon the Sabbath and Holidays (unless they travel out of the City, Towns, &c.) upon their Heads one Cap of Wool, knit, thicked, and dressed in England, upon pain of Forfeiture of 3s. 4d.]

THE Company of the WATERMEN, that have their maintenance by Rowing in Boats on the River of Thames, being a Brotherhood under the Power and Command of the Lord Maior of London, I leave them for this time.

There be 40000 Watermen upon the Rolls of the Company, as I have been told by one of the Company; and that upon occasion they can furnish 20000 Men for the Fleet; and that there were 8000 then in the Service.

There is a Book (the Original whereof is in the Town-Clerk's Office) intitled, The Constitution of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, as amended by the Right Honourable the Court of Lord Maior and Aldermen. And afterwards confirmed and approved by the Right Honourable the Lord Chief Justice Holt. Whose Approbation ran in these Words: I have seen and perused these By-Laws, and do approve, allow, and confirm the same. Dated the 16th Day of April, Anno Dom. 1708.

To which is prefixed a Table of the Contents of those By-Laws. And thereunto annexed an Abstract of the respective Duties of Rulers, &c. This Book was printed Anno 1708, by Laurence Braddon, from the Origional in the Records of the City.]

THE Company of the APOTHECARIES, that have divided themselves from the ancient Society of Grocers, grew so highly favoured by our Sovereign Lord King James I. that (as I have heard) he called them His Company; and granted them Order for Incorporation the sixth Day of December, in the fifteenth Year of his Highness's Reign.

The Office of the Men of this Mystery is to make up and prepare Physick for the Sick or Diseased, according to the Prescriptions and Directions of the Physician: And so are to be Men skilled in Plants and Herbs, in Roots and Druggs, and to understand and exercise Chymistry. And hereby they become Assistants to the Physician in helping Men in Pain and Misery, and in the Recovery of Life and Health. "Which being, as a learned Physician writes, the most valuable thing in the World, that Art whereby the first may be prolonged, and the other preserved or restored, must needs challenge the Esteem and Regard of all. These are the proper and genuine "