London is y^e Citty properly for trade, Westminster for y^e Court, y^e first is divided into 24 wards to each which there is an alderman, and themselves Consist of Common Council men and all freemen of the Citty, and have power to Choose these aldermen and make their own orders and to maintain their own priviledges. All freemen or Livery men of this Citty hath a Right to Choose their sherriffs of w^ch Every yeare there is two, one for Middlesex y^e other y^e Corporation, but both are joyned and officiate together in all matters of juries justice or Ceremonies, and to maintaine all Rights. These freemen alsoe have their voyce in Choice of their Lord Major w^ch is done Every yeare with this Sollemnity, the Sheriffs being Chosen and sworne at Mid summer, y^e Michaelmas after y^e Lord Major is Chosen and sworne; y^e evening before which is Simon and Judes day is a feast Called Calveshead feast. Next day y^e old Lord Major Comes to meete y^e new one and w^th him on his Left hand is Conducted on horse back in all their gowns of scarlet Cloth Lined w^th ffurr; all y^e aldermen in Like Robes only differenc’d as their station, those of them w^ch have been Lord Majors weare a Gold Chaine Ever after, but those y^t have not passed y^e Chaire weare none. Y^e Lord Major is allwayes one of y^e aldermen and he has a great gold Chaine round his neck, the Sheriffs also weare a gold Chaine round their neck y^t yeare. Thus on horseback they proceed two and two w^th all their officers. Y^e Lord Major has his Sword bearer w^ch walkes before him w^th the Sword in an Embroyder’d Sheath he weares a Great velvet Cap of Crimson, the bottom and y^e top of ffurr or such Like standing up Like a turbant or Great bowle in forme of a Great open Pye, this is Called y^e Cap of Maintenance. This is y^e Lord Majors Chiefe officer, he holds his place Dureing his Life and has 1500 a yeare allowed him for his table w^ch in all things is as good as Lord Major’s and he Entertaines all people at it, yet he himself must officiate at the Lord Majors table to see all things in order and Comes in at sett tymes accordingly to performe them and bring y^e Lord Majors Compliments to y^e Campanyes. He thus walkes before the Lord Mayor w^th y^e water Bayliff beareing a Gold Mace &c. At Fleete ditch they Enter y^e Barges w^ch are all very Curiously adorned and thus he is Conducted y^e river being full of Barges belonging to y^e severall Companyes of London, adorned with streamers and their armes and fine musick, and have sack to drinke and Little Cakes as bigg as a Crown piece. They Come to Westminster staires where they Land and are Conducted, the Lord Majors traines being borne up as well y^e old as new Lord Major, they Enter Westminster Hall and are Conducted to y^e severall Courts of justice where there is severall Ceremonyes perform’d. The new Lord Major is presented to y^e King or those deputed to act under him and then is sworne, all which being over they are Conducted back to their Barges and soe to y^e staires they took barge, where they are received by some of y^e nobility deputed by the king who make some Little speech of Compliment and Give y^e Lord Major and aldermen a treate of wine and sweet meates passant. They mount on horseback and returne only y^e new Lord Major takes y^e right hand and haveing by y^e sheriffs invited y^e King and Court to dinner, w^ch sometymes they accept but mostly refuse, because it puts the Citty to a vast Charge; they being then Conducted through y^e Citty w^th Greate acclamations their own habits and trappings of their horses being very fine, and they haveing all the Severall Companyes of y^e Citty w^ch walke in their order and gowns w^th pagents to most or many of their Companyes, w^ch are a sort of Stages Covered and Carryed by men and on y^e top many men and boys acting y^e respective trades or Employ^ts of Each Company, some in shipps for y^e Merch^ts and whatever Company the new Lord major is off his pageant is y^e finest and y^t Company has y^e precedency that yeare of all y^e Companyes Except y^e mercers Company, w^ch allwayes is the first and Esteemed y^e Greatest, and when there is a Lord Major of y^t Company their pageant is a maiden queen on a throne Crowned and with Royal Robes and scepter and most richly dressed, w^th Severall Ladyes dressed, her attendants, all on y^e same pageant and w^th a Cannopy over her head and drawn in an open Chariot w^th 9 horses very finely accouter’d and pages that Ride them all, w^th plumes of feathers. After being drawn through y^e Citty she is jnvited by y^e Lord major to a dinner provided on purpose for her, and soe many Rich Batchelors are appointed to Entertaine her that is a ranck among y^e freemen. She has her traine bore up and is presented to Lady Majoris that salutes her as doth the aldermens Ladyes, all w^ch are Conducted in their Coaches to Guildhall. The new Lady Majoress Richly habitted has her traine borne up, and Introduced by one of the officers. The Sheriffs Ladyes Likewise weares gold Chaines that yeare, the Lady majoress does wear it ever after as doe all y^e aldermens Ladyes whose husbands have been Lord majors, and as I said before y^e Lord Majors must be aldermen and must have served as sheriffs before, and allwayes y^e king Confers Knighthood on the person that is Chosen to be Sheriff unless he were a knight before.

In Guild Hall there are severall long tables plenty fully ffurnished w^th all sorts of varietyes suiteable to the season, w^th fine Desserts off sweetemeates, and jellys w^ch in Pyramidyes stand all y^e tyme; the hott meate is brought in in first and second Courses. The Lord Major and Lady Majoress sitt at the upper End but in Case the Court is there then the Lord Major has one table, y^e Lady another, and y^e old Lady Majoress is set at y^e Left hand of y^e new Lady, and the aldermens Ladyes at her Right hand according to their senioritye, after which they Retire into a Gallery where is danceing the whole Evening.

All this yeare Lord or Lady Majoress goe no where but w^th their officers to attend them, and y^e old Lord Major and Lady Majoress has their traines bore up to Guild Hall and after dinner return without it. The whole affaires of y^e Citty are managed by y^e Lord Major and Court of aldermen and Common Councill men, he is obliged to take care of justice and Right, he does during his yeare jnvite Each Company w^th all their Masters Wardens and officers twice—the Last tyme all their wives alsoe—the Sherriffs doe y^e Like. Each person brings their Gift two, three Guinneas, some more and according to their Gift at y^e Last Entertainment they have a silver spoon double Gilt, Either weighing soe many ounces and soe many as they Give Guinneas many tymes in the yeare: those y^t would shew particular respect will go dine w^th them and bring presents without haveing spoones.

All offices falling vacant in the Majoralty acruee to Lord Major to dispose off. There are 24 Companyes w^ch have each severall officers, as masters wardens &c., and doe meete to fix and maintaine their priviledges. They doe walke at y^e Lord Majors day and make sumptuous feasts at Each hall appertaineing to their Comp^y w^ch is at y^e Charge of y^e masters and wardens w^ch are officers Chosen new Every yeare. They have great stocks and Lands belonging to their Companyes Common stock, and w^ch does maintaine schooles and Hospitalls and such Like w^ch from tyme to tyme are Encreased by severall Benefactors and Legacyes, some of w^ch are greate as in y^e Mercers Company which have Lands to a great value for such Ends. There are severall feasts which Lord Major and Sherriffs are absolutely obliged to make at their first Entrance into their offices, two dayes following each other, and y^e first day of y^e terme to all y^e judges, and 3 dayes at Easter going to hear a sermon at S^t Brides Each day, and then to jnspect y^e severall Charityes and hospitalls y^t all be kept in due order and provided for. Y^e Lord Major and Sherriffs attends the King at all tymes to represent y^e Publick affaires of y^e Citty and receive his orders, they alsoe officiate at y^e proclaiming any new King or Queen or to Declare peace or warr, w^ch is done in Greate solemnity by y^e King at Arms and severall of y^e nobillity in Coaches or on horseback, and y^e officers of y^e kings household.

King Williams return after y^e peace was Concluded w^th Ffrance and y^e Confederates, the Kings Entry was in this manner, y^e Lord Major in Crimson velvet Gown w^th a Long traine on horseback attended by all his officers y^e sword bearer and water Baily very well dress’d. Y^e Common hunt was Clad in Green velvet, thus with all y^e aldermen in their scarlet gowns they proceeding to receive y^e King just at y^e End of Southwark on y^e borders of Kent, the Lord Major Carrying a scepter w^th a Crown of pearle on y^e top. Y^e King was attended thus, ffirst of all his soldiers and officers marched in Ranke, y^e aldermen and Lord Major and officers, then all y^e nobillity in their Coaches, the Bishops and judges, then y^e first Coach of y^e King w^th his household, then y^e guards of his body, and then the Coach where in y^e King was, w^ch was a very rich and Costly thing all y^e fring Rich Gold, y^e Glass very Large, the Standards and all outwork Like beaton Gold, drawn by 8 very fine white horses with Massy Gold harness and trappings, the Ffrench kings present to our king when the peace was concluded, y^e first article of w^ch was owning King William king of England. After the kings Coach a troope of guards de Corps, then the third Coach of y^e Kings w^th his houshold, and other Coaches with Severall officers of the houshold; then as the king passed Southwarke the Baily presented him his mace, he returned it with y^e usuall Ceremony and Grattification; then at y^e bridge y^e Lord Major demands his place and y^e sword, w^ch is to March as Captⁿ of y^e Kings guards just Imediately before y^e kings own Coach, w^ch accordingly was given him and he returns the said scepter to y^e proper officers who bear y^t and all y^e Maces before him, and he bare headed beares y^e sword on horseback just before the kings Coach. At y^e same tyme y^e water baily rides in the middle of y^e guards as their officer and is on horseback, two men Like pages Leading it, soe is Lord Majors in this order: they proceeding through the Citty w^ch from y^e Royal Exchange on Each side had placed the traine bands of the Citty with their officers, next them y^e 24 companyes of y^e Citty in their order and marks of their Honour and priviledges, w^ch reached to y^e Conduite in Cheapside, all w^ch paid their respective Homage and duty to y^e King who receiv’d it very kind and obligeingly, as he did y^e Generall joy and acclamations w^ch proceeded from thousands which were spectators. At Pauls Schoole y^e Schollars made him a speech and then he was Conducted to his own pallace at Whitehall. But before I leave the Citty of London I must describe its Building and treasure. Y^e Government as I said was Lord Major, aldermen, sherriffs, Recorder, and Chamberlaine, and other officers as Common serjeant, and other sergeants, sword Bearers, water Bayly, Common Cryer, and y^e town Clerke; all these with many other officers has Considerable salleryes and Endure their Life, Except y^e Chamberlaine thats annually Chosen tho’ mostly is in the same person againe. Those others are in the Lord Majors dispose and brings a greate advantage to him if any dye in his Majoralty. There is alsoe many Considerable perquisitts belonging to him to support y^e honnour. The Citty plaite is kept for Each, notwithstanding in y^e year it Costs them more many tymes than they Receive, and in the whole I have had it from one y^t had been at y^e charge said it was above 8000^£ in y^e year.

There is as I said great Publick Stock in the Citty by which they have raised sumptuous Buildings, the Royal Exchange for one, a Large space of Ground Enclosed round w^th Cloysters and open arches on w^ch are built many walkes of Shopps of all trades. Y^e middle space below was design’d and is used for the merchants to meete to Concert their buisness and trade and bills, w^ch is all open and on y^e top of these Piaza’s are y^e Effigies in stone of most of our kings and Queens since y^e Conquest w^ch were anoynted Crowned heads, from whence this Exchange takes its name Royal. In y^e midst of it stands in stone work on a Pedestal y^e effigies of King Charles y^e second railed in w^th Iron spikes. There is alsoe at y^e Bridge a Great Monument of stone worke as is y^e Exchange; this is of a Great height 300 stepps up and on y^e top gives y^e view of y^e whole town. This was sett up in memory of Gods putting a Check to y^e Rageing flame w^ch by y^e plotts and Contrivance of y^e papists was Lighted. There is a Large Inscription on it all round mentioning it, and alsoe of y^e popish plott and y^e gun powd^r treason and all by y^e papists.

The Bridge is a stately building all stone w^th 18 arches most of them bigg Enough to admit a Large Barge to pass, its so broade that two Coaches drives a breast, and there is on Each side houses and shopps just Like any Large streete in y^e Citty, of w^ch there are many and well built, Even and Lofty, most has 5 if not 6 degrees. Most of y^e Halls belonging to Each Company are Large and Magnificent buildings, as alsoe y^e Churches very fine and Lofty of stone work. Ye Greate Cathedrall is S^t Pauls w^ch was a vast building but burnt by fire, has since by y^e Citty been built up, or rather a tax on Coales w^ch brings all to pay for it in London. It now is almost ffinish’d and very magnificent, the Quire w^th Curious Carved work in wood, y^e arch Bishops seate and y^e Bishop of Londons and Lord Majors is very finely Carv’d and adorned, y^e alter alsoe with velvet and gold; on y^e Right side is placed a Large Crimson velvet Elbow chaire w^ch is for the Dean. This is all finished (w^th a sweet organ) but y^e body of y^e Church w^ch is to be Closed on y^e top w^th a Large Cupilo is not quite done. There was formerly in y^e Citty severall houses of y^e Noblemens w^th Large gardens and out houses and Great attendances, but of Late are pulled down and built into streetes and squares and Called by y^e names of y^e noblemen, and this is the practise by almost all even just to y^e Court Excepting one or two.

Northumberland and Bedford house, and Lord Mountagues house indeed has been new built and is very fine, one roome in y^e middle of y^e building is of a surpriseing height Curiously painted and very Large, yet soe Contrived y^t speake very Low to y^e wall or wanscoate in one Corner and it should be heard w^th advantage in y^e very opposite Corner aCross—this I heard Myself. And this Leads me to y^e Citty of Westminster in w^ch are many of these noblemens houses built into very fine squares. Y^e kings pallace was a most magnificent building all of freestone, w^th appartments suiteable to y^e Court of a King, in w^ch was a Large roome Called the Banqueting-roome w^ch was fitted for and used in all Publick solemnityes and audiences of ambassadours &c. This is y^e only thing Left of y^e vast building which by accident or Carelessness, if not designe, has Laid it in ashes together w^th Exceeding Rich furniture of antiquity, as alsoe y^e greate and good Queen Mary’s Closet and Curious treasures. This has all along y^e prospect of y^e Thames on one side and a Large parke on y^e other, walled in, which is full of very fine walkes and rowes of trees, ponds and Curious birds Deer, and some fine Cows. In this parke stands another pallace S^t James, w^ch is very well and was built for some of y^e Royal Familly as y^e Duke of Yorke or Prince of Wales. There is at Whitehall in y^e privy Garden a Large pond w^th a spout of water of a vast height. This of S^t James is Little but daily building adding may make it greate.

There is alsoe one Nobleman’s house, is this Parke House w^ch is a very Curious Building. Just by this parke you Enter another Much Larger, Hide-parke, w^ch is for Rideing on horseback but mostly for y^e Coaches, there being a ring railed in round w^ch a Gravel way y^t would admitt of twelve if not more rowes of Coaches, w^ch y^e Gentry to take y^e aire and see each other Comes and drives round and round; one row going Contrary to each other affords a pleaseing diversion. The rest of y^e parke is green and full of deer, there are Large ponds w^th fish and fowle. Y^e whole Length of this parke there is a high Causey of a good breadth, 3 Coaches may pass and on Each side are Rowes of posts on w^ch are Glasses—Cases for Lamps w^ch are Lighted in y^e Evening and appeares very fine as well as safe for y^e passenger. This is only a private roade y^e king had w^ch reaches to Kensington, where for aire our Great King W^m bought a house and filled it for a Retirement w^th pretty gardens. Besides these y^e king has a pallace in y^e Strand w^th fine gardens all to y^e Thames river, this appertaines to y^e Queen Dowager while she Lives. In this place was y^t cruel Barbarous Murder of S^r Edmund Berry Godfrey by y^e papists. Westminster is remarkable for haveing in it y^e ancient Large abbey w^ch is a most magnificent Building of stone finely Graved, and within is adorned w^th severall monuments of our Kings and Queens and great personages.

In Harry y^e sevenths Chapple Layes our Great and good as well as Ever Glorious King William, and Queen Mary his Royal Consort and joinctly on y^e throne of these kingdoms, whome noe tyme Can ever obliterate y^e memory off, their being Englands deliverers in Gods hands from popery and slavery w^ch King James by y^e King of Frances power was involving us in. This abby alsoe is y^e place where y^e sollemnityes of the Kings interrments and Corronations are performed of which shall give a perticular.

At y^e Death of a Prince which I have been a mournfull spectator or hearer of two of y^e most Renowned y^t ever was, King William and queen Marys, the Queen Dying before the king he ommitted noe Ceremony of Respect to her memory and remains w^ch Lay in State in Whitehall in a bed of Purple velvet all open, the Cannopy y^e same w^th Rich gold fring, y^e middle being y^e armes of England Curiously painted and Gilt, y^e head piece Embroyder’d Richly w^th a Crown and Cyphers of her name, a Cusheon of purple velvet at y^e head on w^ch was y^e Imperiall Crown and Scepter and Globe, and at y^e feete another such a Cusheon w^th y^e sword and Gauntlets on the Corps w^ch was rowled in Lead, and over it a Coffin Cover’d w^th purple velvet w^th the Crown, and Gilt in Moldings very Curious. A Pall on all of a very Rich tissue of gold and silver, Ruffled round about w^th purple velvet w^ch hung down on y^e ground, w^ch was a halfe pace railed as y^e manner of the Princes beds are. This in a roome hung w^th purple velvet full of Large wax tapers, and at y^e 4 Corners of the bed stood 4 of y^e Ladyes of y^e bed Chamber—Countesses—w^th vailes; these were at severall tymes relieved by others of y^e same. Y^e anty Chamber hung with purple Cloth and there attended four of y^e Maids of honnour all in vailes, and y^e Gentlemen of the bed Chamber, pages in another roome all in black, y^e staires all below the same. Y^e Queen dyeing while y^e parliam^t sate, y^e King gave mourning to them, 500 and Clerks, w^ch attended thus: their Speaker haveing his traine bore up, then y^e Lord Major y^e same, and attended by y^e aldermen and officers all in black, and y^e Judges; then y^e officers of the houshold, then y^e Guards, then y^e Gentleman master of y^e horse Led the queens Led horse Cover’d up w^th purple velvet, next Came the open Chariot made as y^e bed was, the Cannopy y^e same all purple velvet, a high arch’d teister Ruffled, w^th y^e Rich fring and pall, w^ch was supported by Six of y^e first Dukes of y^e Realme that were not in office. This Chariot was drawn by the Queens own 6 horses Covered up with purple velvet and at y^e head and feete was Laid y^e Emblems of her dignity, the Crown and Scepter on a Cushion at y^e head, and Globe and Gauntlets at y^e feete, after which the first Dutchess in England as Chief mourner walked supported by these Lords, the Lord president of y^e Councill and y^e Lord privy Seale, she haveing a vaile over her face, and her traine of 6 yards Length being bore up by the next Dutchess assisted by four young Ladyes. After w^ch two and two y^e Ladies followed and Lords, all Long traines according to their ranke, y^e Bishops Likewise all on foote on black Cloth strained on boards, from Whitehall to Westminster abby where was a sermon, in w^ch tyme y^e body of y^e queen was reposed in a masulium in form of a bed w^th black velvet and silver fringe round, and hanging in arches, and at y^e four Corners was tapers and in y^e middle a bason supported by Cupids or Cherubims shoulders, in w^ch was one Entire Great Lamp burning y^e whole tyme. Then after y^e service of burial w^ch is done with solemn and mournfull musick and singing, ye sound of a Drum unbraced, the breakeing of all y^e white staves of those that were y^e officers of y^e queen, and flinging in y^e keys of the rest of y^e offices devoted by y^t badge into y^e tomb. They seale it up and soe returne in same order they went. There is allwayes a high steward made for all solemnityes of y^e Kings and Queens and he is only soe for that day, and he goes just before the Led horse. The pages also Lead all y^e horses that draws y^e Chariot, and the yeaumen of y^e guard walks on Each side all y^e way. This is y^e manner of publick funeralls but if it be Kings then the Ladyes attend not. Y^e next Ceremonys is the Crowning the Kings and Queens of England w^ch is done in this manner as I have seen it. The Prince by Letters Summons all the nobility to be ready to attend them such a day—its usually on S^t Georges day—by the Earle marshall at Westminster Hall, another Greate Building which containes the Parliament houses and the courts of justice, and requests all—w^ch shall Describe hereafter. But as I said they being Come to this Westminster Hall y^e Dean of Westminster abbey w^th prebends &c comes with the Crown, scepter, swords and orb and all the Regalias, it being in their Custody w^ch are all put on y^e table. Y^e prince does appoynt these all to be Carryed by severall Lords; then there being blew Cloth spread from y^e Hall to y^e Abby w^ch is all railed in and Lined with foote and horse Guards, the Procession beginns thus. First four drums two and two as is the whole procession, these beate y^e March; then the 6 Chancery Clerkes, then the Chaplaines that have Dignityes, then the aldermen of London and y^e masters in Chancery, y^e Solicitor Generall, y^e Attorney General, then the Gentlemen of the privy Chamber, next the judges, then the Children of the Kings Chappel, then the Choir of Westminster, then the gentlemen of the Chapple, next y^e Prebends of Westminster, then the Master of y^e jewel house, then goes the Privy Counsellors y^t are not Peers of the realme, then two Pursuivants goe, next them goes y^e Barronesses in Crimson velvet Robes Lined w^th Earmine, and Cut waved in a Long traine Lined with white sarsnet, the sleeves were open to the shoulder, tyed up there with Silver Cords and tassells hanging down to y^e wast, the sleeves being fringed w^th silver, under w^ch fine point or Lace sleeves and Ruffles, w^th Gloves Laced or w^th Ribon gold and white, their peticoates were white; some tissue Laced w^th gold or silver, and their stomatchers some were all Diamonds; over all they had mantles of y^e same Crimson velvet Lined w^th Earmine and fastened to the shoulder, on w^ch there was a broad Earmine Like a Cape reaching to y^e waste powder’d w^th rowes according to their Degree, y^e barroness 2 rows, the viscountess 2 rows and halfe, the Countesses 3 Rowes, the Marchoness 3 rows and a halfe, the Dutchesses 4 Rows, the Queen 6; these all having Long traines suiteable to their Robes and were in Length as their Degree. Y^e Barronesses had their traines 2 yards and a quarter drawing on the ground, the Viscountess 2 yards and halfe, y^e Marchionesses 2 yards 3 quarters, y^e Dutchess 3 yards drawing on the Ground. Their heads were dress’d w^th much haire and Long Locks full of Diamonds—some perfect Peakes of bows of Diamonds as was the Countess of Pembrook,—their heads so dress’d as a space Left for their Coronets to be set, all y^e rest is filled w^th haire, Jewells and gold, and white small Ribon, or Gold thinn Lace, in form of a peake, and gold gause on their rowles, they have also Diamond necklaces and jewels on their habitts. Each Carry their Corronets in their hands w^ch does also Distinguish their Dignityes. The Barrons is a velvet Cap w^th a Coronet of Gold, w^th six great pearles or what resembles them a white Gilding in that form. Y^e Viscounts Coronet is a Gold set w^th 16 pearles of Like sort set very Close together. Ye Earles Coronet is of Gold w^th spikes, on y^e tops of which are Laid pearles w^ch stands at a Distance; and have Leaves at y^e frame. Y^e Marquess’s Coronet is Gold alsoe w^th spikes of Leaves of y^e same at distances, between w^ch are those pearles much Lower just proceeding from y^e frame. The Dukes are a Double row of Leaves y^e one standing up at distances, y^e others between, Low by y^e frame.

The Dukes, Marquess’s, Earles, Viscounts, and Barrons, are Differenced as the Ladyes are by their Rows of Earmine on their Mantles—they all being Clad w^th Rich vests under their Robes, and trimm’d gloves of Lace or fringe, fine Linnen, and Carry their Coronets in their hands. Only those that are knights of y^e garter weare a Chaine of Gold S S on their shoulders upon their Earmine Cape, and have their George hanging to it, their Starr on y^e breast of their Robes and a Diamond garter on their Leg w^th blew Ribon. In this manner habited proceeds y^e Barronesses and Barrons, then the Bishops that sit in y^e Parliam^t as peeres their habit is Lawn sleeves and Black, their Capps are flatt Like a 4 square trencher put on Cornerwise; after which went a pursuivant, then in same order y^e Viscountesses and next y^e Viscounts; then two Heraulds, then in same order the Countesses and next the Earles, then a Herauld, then in y^e same order y^e marchionesses next y^e marquisses, then two heraulds, then in the same order the Dutchesses, next them the Dukes, then two Kings at armes, after which y^e Lord Privy Seale, next him Lord President of y^e Councill. Then y^e ArchBishops w^ch are Esteemed in higher Rank than y^e Dukes, then a Duke w^ch is of y^e Royal family w^th their traine bore up, Prince George of Denmarke being Royal Consort to Queen Ann walked so haveing his traine bore by the vice-Chamberlaine, the Prince is Duke of Cumberland w^ch is y^e first Duke; next goe two personages in Robes of state, but of an antique forme, velvet and Earmine w^th Hatts of Gold tissues, personateing y^e two Dukes of Acquitaine and Normandy w^ch belongs to y^e English Crown. Next them went the Lord w^ch bore S^t Edmunds staff, w^th a Lord that bore the Gold Spurrs, another Lord with y^e Scepter Royal, 3 other Lords following w^th y^e sword of justice, y^e Curtana sword of mercy, and another poynted sword, next which S^r Garter King at armes between my Lord Major and the usher of y^e black Rod. These Heraulds dress in Coates full of y^e Kings armes all about with Gildings, and hang short w^th Long sleeves and sleeves hanging behind alsoe. Next y^e Lord High Chamberlaine single, then next an Earle beares y^e sword of State between y^e Earle Marshall and y^e Lord high Constable, made for y^t Dayes Solemnity. Next goes an Earle Beareing y^e Scepter of y^e Dove, next y^t a Duke Carrying y^e Globe orb, next went a Duke w^th y^e Crown w^ch must be Lord High Steward for that dayes Solemnity, next went a Bishop w^th y^e Bible between two other Bishops y^t Carryed y^e pattent and y^e Challice w^ch Last appertaines to y^e Dean of Westminster. Next this the Cannopys and in Case there is a King then his Consort goes before him in this manner under a Cannopy of Cloth of Gold borne up by 8 Barrons of y^e Cinque ports, and is supported by two Bishops, and her Coronet or Crown is alsoe Carryed by a Lord before, and alsoe a silver Rod by another Lord, w^ch when she returns she holds in one hand and the Little scepter. Her traine is bore up by y^e first Duchess of y^e Realme assisted by 4 maiden Daughters of Earles and her Robes ought to be only Crimson velvet, but King James’s Queen would have purple, but never Changes them as doth a Queen that is Regent in her self y^e Principal, as Queen Ann and her sister Queen Mary joinct in y^e throne w^th King William. All w^ch in some things makes a Difference as shall show, for y^e Queen Consort as King James’s queen was not anoynted nor sworne unless as a subject to y^e King and walked thus before him, after which y^e King Came under another Cannopy of gold tissue supported by 8 more of y^e Barrons of the Cinque-ports; he leaned on two Bishops, his traine borne up by the Lord w^ch is Master of his robes assisted by four Lords sonns. These Cannopyes have silver staves for Each person to hold them up by. In y^e Case of King William and Queen Mary that were set joynctly on the throne anoynted both and sworne by y^e Coronation oath, they Likewise walked both under one of these Canopyes made very Large supported by y^e 16 Barrons, and on y^e outside of Each went a Bishop on whome they Leaned, Leading Each other; and their traines were bore, the Kings by y^e Lord w^ch is master of y^e Robes, the Queen by y^e first Dutchess and young Ladies. And soe their throne was Entire two seates and their Cannopyes one at y^e table, but now as in Case of our present Majesty Queen Ann I saw her thus; her Cannopy was Large bore by y^e sixteen, and she because of Lameness of y^e Gout had an Elbow Chaire of Crimson velvet w^th a Low back, by w^ch meanes her mantle and Robe was Cast over it and bore by the Lord Master of y^e Robes and y^e first Dutchess, w^th 4 maiden Ladies, Earles Daughters on Each side Richly Dress’d in Cloth of Gold or Silver, Laced, w^th Long traines, Richly Dressed in fine Linnen, and jewells in their hair, and Embroider’d on their Gowns. The Queens traine was 6 yards Long, the Mantle suitable of Crimson velvet with Earmine as y^e other of y^e nobility, only the rowes of powdering Exceeded, being six rowes of powdering. Her Robe under was of Gold tissue, very Rich Embroydery of jewellry about it, her peticoate the same of Gold tissue w^th gold and silver lace, between Rowes of Diamonds Embroyder’d, her Linnen fine. The Queen being principall of the order of y^e Garter had a row of Gold S S about her shoulders, y^e Georges w^ch are allwayes set with Diamonds and tyed with a blew Ribon. Her head was well dress’d w^th Diamonds mixed in y^e haire w^ch at y^e Least motion Brill’d and flamed. She wore a Crimson velvet Cap with Earmine under y^e Circlet, w^ch was set with Diamonds, and on the middle a sprig of Diamonds drops transparent hung in form of a plume of feathers, for this Cap is y^e Prince of Wales’s Cap w^ch till after y^e Coronation that makes them Legall king and queen—they weare. Thus to y^e quire doore she Came, then Leaveing y^e Cannopy—(y^e Chaire she Left at y^e Abby doore—) she is conducted to y^e Alter which was finely deck’d w^th Gold tissue Carpet and fine Linnen, on the top all y^e plaite of y^e abby sett, y^e velvet Cushions to place y^e Crown and all y^e regallias on. She made her offering at y^e Alter, a pound weight or wedge of gold, here the Dean of Westminster and y^e prebends which assists the Arch-Bishop in the Cerimonyes are arrayed in very Rich Coapes and Mitres, black velvet Embroyder’d w^th gold Starrs, or Else tissue of gold and silver. Then the Littany and prayers are sung and repeated by two Bishops w^th a small organ, then the Queen being seated on a green velvet Chaire faceing the pulpit attends y^e words of y^e sermon w^ch was by y^e arch-Bishop of York, w^ch being ended y^e Queen arose and returned thanks for y^e Arch-bishops Sermon, is shewed to y^e people by saying a form, Will you take this to be your Souveraigne to be over you? thus I saw the Queen turn her face to y^e four sides of y^e Church, then the Coronation oath is repeated to her, w^ch she distinctly answered each article, which oath is very Large in three articles, relateing to all priviledges of y^e Church and State to which she promised to be the security and to maintaine all to us. Then she kiss’d y^e Bible, then a Bible was presented to her to maintaine y^e true Protestant religion. Then she being on a Little throne by the alter, Cover’d all w^th Cloth of Gold, she has y^e spurrs of gold brought her and they toutch her heele, then the sword of state is presented her which she offers up on the alter, w^ch a Lord appoynted for it redeemes y^e sword for 100 shillings, and draws it out and beares it naked all y^e day. After the other swords are brought and presented her w^ch she delivers to y^e severall officers, then the ring is put on her finger to witness she is married to the Kingdom, then the orb I saw brought and presented to her and y^e Scepters. Then she was anoynted in this manner; there was a Cloth of silver twilight Embroyder’d, held a Little shaddowing over her head. I saw y^e Bishop bring y^e oyle on a spoone soe annoynted y^e palmes of her hands, her breast and her forehead, Last of all y^e top of her head, haveing taken off y^e prince of Wales’s Cap and y^e haire being Cutt off Close at y^e top y^e oyle was poured on and with a fine Cloth all Dryed againe. Then Last of all y^e arch Bishops held the Crown over her head w^ch Crown was made on purpose for this Cerimony vastly Rich in Diamonds, y^e borders and y^e Globe part very thick sett w^th vast diamonds, y^e Cross on y^e top with all diamonds w^ch flamed at y^e Least motion, this is worth a vast summe, but being made for this Cerimony and pulled to pieces againe, its only soe much for the hire of such Jewells that made it. This I saw was fix’d on y^e Queens head w^th Huzza’s and sound of Drumms trumpets and gunns, and at the same tyme all y^e peeres and peeresses put on their Coronets on their heads. There are divers forms of speech that belong to each Cerimony. Y^e Queen after this goes to y^e alter and there I saw her receive the Sacrament, I saw the deane bring her y^e bread and wine. Then she is Conducted with her Crown on, her Globe and Scepter in her hand and seated on y^e Royal throne of y^e Kingdom w^ch is of gold finely wrought, high back and armes set on a theatre of severall steps, assent rises on four sides to it. She being thus seated is followed w^th a second Huzza and sound of drums and trumpets and Gunns, then all y^e Lords and Bishops pay their homage to her; the Eldest of Each ranke swears fidelity to her in his own name and in y^e name of all of his ranck. They all singly come and touch her Crown and some kiss her Right Cheeke—they make all do soe,—she kisses the Bishops. All this while anthems are sung and the Medals are Cast about by the treasurer of y^e houshold, after w^ch the Queen arose and went and made her second offering, sate down on the throne on w^ch she was annoynted and Crown’d. After, an anthem is sung proper for the tyme, after w^ch the Queen retired into King Edwards Chappel to private prayer, w^ch being ended and her Crimson velvet mantle being taken off and one of purple velvet made just y^e same put on, in y^e same manner they returned Each one in his station, only the Lords y^t Carryed the Regalias now tooke their places as peers with y^e rest, y^e Queen walked to y^e doore of y^e abby w^th obligeing Lookes and bows to all y^t Saluted her and were spectatours, w^ch were prodigious numbers in Scaffolds built in the Abbey and all the streetes on each side reaching to Westminster hall, where the Queen againe quitted her Chaire w^ch was Carryed by four men, the whole procession being both going and comeing attended by y^e gentlemen pensioners Clad in Scarlet Cloth w^th gold Lace, Holding halberds w^th gold tops Like pick-axes. These make a Lane for the queen to pass and follow two and two, next them y^e groomes of the bed Chamber, then the Captaine of y^e guards went between y^e Captaine of y^e pensioners band and the Captain of y^e yeaumen, and were attended by their officers and yeamen.

The queen being Come up to her table w^ch was a great rise of stepps she was seated on her throne w^ch was under a fine Cannopy. When King James was Crown’d he sate soe: at his Left hand sate his Queen under another Cannopy, but King William and Queen Mary being both principalls sate under one Large Cannopy on one Large throne, but our present Queen should have sate alone as she did in the upper End under y^e Cannopy, but she sent and did invite Prince George her Consort to dine with her. So he Came and at her request tooke his seate at her Left hand without the Cannopy. The first Course was served just before the Queen Came in, She being ushered in by the Earle Marshall, Lord High Steward, and Lord high Chamberlaine on horseback, their horses being finely dress’d and managed, and the Cookes Came up with their point aprons and towells about their shoulders of poynt; after w^ch Comes up the Lord high steward againe on horseback, with the other two Lords, and acquaints the king or queen there is their Champion without ready to Encounter or Combate with any that should pretend to dispute, after w^ch he is Conducted in on horseback by the Earle Marshall and y^e Lord high steward, and they Come up to the stepps of the throne, and there the Champion all dress’d in armour Cap-a-pe and declares his readyness to Combate w^th any that should oppose the Right of their Majestyes, and there upon throws down his guantlet w^ch is giving Challenge, after w^ch the King or Queen drinks to him in a Gold Cup w^th a Cover, y^e same w^ch is Carryed to y^e Champion and he drinks, and then he retires back and Carrys it away being his Due as is the best horse in the kings stable, y^e best suite of armour in y^e armory. This belongs to S^r John Dimmocks familly y^t hath a yearly salery from the Crown. My Lord Major here officiates as y^e kings Butler, and hath for a Reward such another Cup of gold Covered and thus the Ceremony Ends and they all retire. Westminster Hall is as full of spectatours sitting on scaffolds on Each side, under w^ch are severall Long tables spread and full of all varietyes prepared for the Lords and Ladies, others for the judges, aldermen &c.

When there is a Rideing Coronation they proceed on from y^e abbey when a king is Crowned, all on horseback thro’ y^e Citty in y^e same order as at the Entry at y^e peace, quite to y^e Tower all richly dress’d and their horses w^th fine trappings, Led on both sides by Each Lords pages, and when its a King only, then only y^e Lords attend as in y^e Coronation of King Charles the second, but at Queen Elizabeths the Ladies alsoe attended to y^e Tower which is at the utmost extremity of y^e Citty of London, where the Governour presents the King with y^e Keyes which he returns againe and after some other Cerimonyes and makeing some Knights of y^e Bath Either six or Eight I Cannot tell which. These are an order that prefferr such a knight above all other knights, but is not so high as a Barronet and it alsoe expires at their Death descending not to y^e son; they wear a scarlet Ribon round their shoulder Like a belt: then they all return back to the pallace; Usually the rideing Coronation holds two dayes.

The tower is built just by y^e Thames, thereon many gunns are placed all round, its built of free stone, four towers. In one is y^e amunition and powder, Called y^e white tower, w^ch is kept very secure w^th 6 keyes w^ch are kept by six persons. In another part the Coynage is where they refine, melt, form, stamp and Engrave all y^e money w^ch is managed by severall over w^ch there is y^e Comptroler of y^e mint. In another part is kept severall Lyons w^ch are named by y^e names of y^e kings, and it has been observ’d that when a king has dyed y^e Lion of y^e name has alsoe dyed.

There are also other strange Creatures kept there, Leopards, Eagles &c &c w^ch have been brought from forreign parts. In another place is kept the Crowns and all y^e Regalias, as orb, scepters, swords. The Crown that is made on purpose to Crown a prince is pulled to pieces againe and they only reserve an old large Crown of King Harry y^e seventh in form of a Ducall Coronet, and y^e Crown w^ch is used for the passing of bills, of w^ch here after. This hath Large pearles on y^e Cross and an Emerauld on y^e top of y^e head w^ch Closes the bands w^ch goes every way of y^e sides to y^e round frame full of Diamonds and Saphyr’s and Rubies w^ch y^e frame at y^e bottom is also enchased with. This Large Emerauld is as bigg as an Egg all transparent and well Cut: the Globe is alsoe sett w^th diamonds representing y^e Lines on the Celestial Globe. The middle or body of y^e Tower is full of armour of all sorts and placed in Each roome w^th great Curiosity Like a ffurniture on y^e walls and kept very bright and fine. And now I shall return to y^e Hall att Westminster where are all y^e Courts of justice kept. There are severall parts out of y^e hall for y^e Court of y^e Kings Bench for tryal of all Causes by jurys, Grand juryes and petty jurys, to manage w^ch there is a Lord Chief Justice and three other Judges his assistants, where matters are heard by Councellors, attornys and solicitors to plead y^e Cause in the Court. All these formerly were but few in number when buisness was not delayed but brought to a quick jssue and persons had matters decided quicker, but now they are increased extreamely and Consequently buisness Lengthened out for their profit. There is alsoe another Court of y^e Common pleas to w^ch is another Chiefe Justice, the first is Call’d the Lord Chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench Court, y^e other the Lord Chiefe Justice of y^e Common pleas—he hath alsoe three Judges assistants. This Court is in something the same nature managed as y^e former, only that matters of Life and death are not here tryed or determined, that belongs to y^e Kings Bench. There is alsoe the Exchequer Chamber which is another Court and managed by a Lord Chiefe Baron and 3 other Barrons assistants, w^ch are all judges, and all first sergeants and in this manner are fitted, having been Entred at such an age into any of y^e jnns of Court of w^ch there are many in y^e town, Lincolns-inn, Grays-inn, Ffurnifulls-inn, Clemens-jnn, Cliffords-inn and others. The Temples Likewise are such where they are students in the Law and goe to hear Causes and are trained up in that Learning w^ch is grounded on our Laws, the Magna Charta Law of the whole kingdom by w^ch all matters are or may be decided. After soe many yeares studdy and being thus Entred they are Called to y^e barr—y^t is to plead as Councellors and Barristers in these Courts, and out of such that have been thus Barristers many yeares they Commence serjeants, and are made in this manner the first day of a terme. They walk two and two in their Gowns from y^e Temple to Westminster Hall where Each that is designed for serjeants stand with their Back to y^e Barr of the Court at a Little distance, y^e puny judge on the Bench sayes to the Lord Chief Justice, my Lord I think I spye a Brother; the Lord Chief Justice replies truly Brother I thinke its soe indeed, send and bring him up to be examined whether capable or well quallify’d; w^ch is done and after severall questions he is sworn and has a Coiffe put on his head, which is a black satten Cap w^th a white Lace or Edge round y^e bottom and thus he is received into their number and soe returned. They have a feast and pay their fees which is considerable all to maintain the Court out of such as are sergeants. The king makes judges and gives them salleryes; all the judges doe weare scarlet robes Lined with furr. These twelve judges sitt in the House of Lords on wooll packs, not as peers but as Councellors to informe the house of what is their former Laws, and to decide matters that Come before them if relating to the Law, and soe are only their officers and Cannot put on their Caps without permission of y^e Lords. There is alsoe another Court for justice w^ch is Called the Court of Equity or Chancery. The other Courts properly Judges of the matters of Right by Law this as to the Equitty of it, w^ch is managed by a Lord Chancellor or a Lord Keeper, w^ch is not in soe high a station nor at so vast expence, but answers the Ends of the other as to the Buissness—is Called Lord Keeper because he keepes the great seale of England w^ch makes all authentick that passes it. This sometymes is managed in Commision by three, but many tymes by one single person, he allwayes sitts in the house of Lords alsoe and is y^e speaker of y^e house of Lords. Under him there is the Master of the Roles w^ch is his deputy and in the others absence acts in the Court as Chiefe. This Court keeps all the Records and statutes, there are two registers belongs to it with six masters which are alsoe the under justices, and six Clerks w^ch have all their Respective offices and Enter all things. Under them is the 60 Clerks and other under writers. This formerly was the best Court to relieve the subject but now is as Corrupt as any and as dilatory. The Causes in the Chancery are heard and Refferr’d to some of the masters and they report the matter againe, and soe from the notion of this being a Court of Equitty and so gives Liberty for persons to make all the allegation and reasons in their Cause, which much delayes y^e dispatch, which formerly was of a very good advantage to prevent a huddling up a Cause without allowing tyme for y^e partys to produce their evidences or Right, but now by that meanes is soe ill managed that it admitts of heareing, Re-heareing over and over on the Least motion of y^e Contrary party, that will pretend to offer new reason matter for delaying judgment, that by this it accrues great advantage to y^e Lawyers that have all their fees each motion and may be so Continued many yeares to sometyme y^e ruin of the Plaintiffs and deffendants. A small gratuiety obteine an order to delay till the next terme and so to another.

There are four termes in a yeare, one at Easter, another at Midsumer, and at Michaelmas, and Candle-mass, at which tymes these Courts of justice are open for tryal of y^e Causes belonging to their Courts, and holds a fortnight or more, one three weekes, another a month, one 5 weekes; but there are sealeing dayes w^ch hold much Longer and this between Easter and Midsumer terme joyns the tymes. Y^e Last terme is the shortest but the seales hold Longer. After this is the Long vacation being the heate of the weather and tyme of harvest in which tyme alsoe are the assizes in all the Countys in England, for at y^e End of the Midsummer terme y^e Judges takes y^e Circuites assigned Each, usual the Lord Chiefe Justice of England w^ch is of y^e Kings Bench Chuses the home Circuit w^ch is the County adjacent all about London, w^ch is a Less fatigue and more Easily perform’d. Two judges must goe in Each Circuite and in all places the one sitts on the Bench of Life and Death, y^e other on buisness de-nise-prises, and soe they exchange in all the places they Come, y^e judge y^t was on the Life and death at one County, in the next takes y^e barr of the nais prisse and so on. There is one Called the Northern Circuit w^ch is a Long one and takes in Wales; there is the Western Circuite alsoe: this takes up 6 of y^e 12 judges and Barrons.

But all this while there must be two at Least Left in London to heare and attend y^e sessions of y^e Old Bayly which is kept once a month both of Life and death and Common pleas.

In all these sessions at y^e Old Bayly y^e Lord Major is the judge and sitts as such, but Leaves the management of the Law to the Chiefe justice or Judges which ought to be two. There is the Recorder of y^e Citty also another justice who after y^e judge has summon’d the Evidence does alsoe summ it up, and this is in all the tryals at the Kings Bench, alsoe here the sword Bearer is a officer, and Common Cryer, and alsoe the two Sherriffs attends, they impanell the Jury and their office is so necessary y^t at the death of a Sherriff as happened Last yeare the Buissness of the terme happening then stood still till another was Chosen and sworne.

The Recorder of the Citty is allwayes knighted and soe is the Chamberlaine of the Citty. Now in the assizes in all the Countyes of England the sherriff of the County Comes to the Edge of the County and Receives y^e judges from the hand of the sherriff of y^e next County and Conducts him to y^e County town attended w^th the Gentry, and there is a Large house in the town hired for that tyme for the judge, and all the sherriffs officers attends him and he in person; alsoe he sends the judge a present y^e first night of meate and wine and gives him one dinner. Its usual that the Judges are Entertained most of the tyme by the Bishop Major and best Gentlemen, its seldom they stay more than a weeke in a place unless they have a great deale of Buisness or that one of the judges should be sick so y^t y^e other must supply both barrs one after another. There are Lawyers that allwayes do follow the judges, some serjeant which people make use of in their Causes and joyne w^th them some of their own Country Lawyers. There are two of these assizes in a year, the other is in the winter, besides which in Each County they have quarterly sessions to w^ch all Constables of that precinct repaires, and the titheing men w^th their presentments and Complaints to punish and relieve in petty matters w^ch the Justice of the peace are judges off, and if they have a matter before them beyond their decision they bind them over to the asizes and there to prosecute them. The manner of Criminalls punishment after Condemnation, w^ch if it be for fellony or treason their Condemnation of the first is to be hanged, and they are drawn in a Cart from their prisons where they had been Confined all the tyme after they were taken, I say they are drawn in a Cart with their Coffin tyed to them and halters about their necks, there is alsoe a Divine with them that is allwayes appointed to be with them in the prison to prepare them for their death by makeing them sencible of their Crimes and all their sins, and to Confess and repent of them. These do accompany them to the place of Execution w^ch is generally through the Citty to a place appoynted for it Called Tijburn. there after they have prayed and spoken to the people the minister does Exhort them to repent and to forgive all the world, the Executioner then desires him to pardon him and so the halter is put on and he is Cast off, being hung on a Gibbet till dead, then Cut down and buried unless it be for murder; then usually his body is hung up in Chaines at a Cross high road in view of all, to deterre others. For high treason they are drawn in a sledge to their Execution without any Coffin, for their Condemnation when hang’d to be taken down before quite dead and to be opened. They take out their heart and say this is the heart of a traytor, and so his body is Cutt in quarters and hung up on the top of the Great gates of the Citty which are the places of their prison, some gate houses for debters, others for fellons and traytors. In Case its a woman which is a traytor then she is Condemned to be burnt. All at their Execution have Liberty to speake, and in Case they are sencible of and repent of their Crimes they do declare it and bewaile it and warne others from doing the Like, but if they are hard’nd they persist in denying it to the Last. Now as I said y^e Law Condemns all thus to be Executed, but if it be great persons they obtaine Leave of y^e king they may be beheaded, which is done on a scaffold Erected on purpose in manner of a stage, and the persons brought in Coaches with Ministers do as the former; then when they have ended their prayers and speech they Lay down their head on a block and stretch out their bodies. The Executioner strikes off their heads with an ax or sword made on purpose and if it be for treason take the head and hold it up saying this is the head of a traytor; and such Great persons, Especially those that Can pay well for it, have their heads sewed on againe and so buried. The Prison in London for great persons is the Tower where are appartments for y^t purpose. There is in all the County towns Jailes maintained at the publick Charge, besides which there are houses for Correction of Lesser faults, as Bridewell, to Correct Lazy and Idle persons and to set them to work, and alsoe stocks and pillorys to punish them for their Lesser faults. The Pilory jndeed is to punish perjur’d persons, which is a greate Crime. There is alsoe whipping, some at a Carts taile, and for some Crimes they are burnt in the hand or Cheeke as a brand of their Evil, and if found againe to transgress, y^t marke serves as a greater witness to their Condemnation. Some alsoe are Banish’d out of y^e kings dominions dureing Life and should such return they must be executed without any other tryal; under which we may speake of out Laweryes; a person for treason or fellony absconding into another kingdom, after a process at Law by which he is Summon’d to Come and take his tryal, and he refuses then he is outlaw’d and all his Estate forfeited to the king, and if Ever he be taken in y^e Kings dominions he is Immediately Executed w^th out any farther tryal, and its usual if such a one be known to be in a kingdom of our allies to make a Demand of him by the ambassadour, and such a state takes Care Either to deliver him up or Else to Expel him their Dominions by proclamation, that none harbour such a one but deliver up to the government.

Here is noe wracks or tortures nor noe slaves made, only such as are banish’d sometymes into our forreign plantations there to worke, we have also prisons for debtors and some of which are privilidge places, as y^e Kings Bench the Marshalsea and Fleete which persons Entring themselves prisoners there Cannot further be prosecuted, but Continue there prisoners dureing Life, and out of the term tymes hire a keeper of the prison to go allwayes with him as a jaylor; but the Chief Master must have good security to produce him Every term Else he will be Lyable to pay his debts, so its only for such as are debtors, and Indeed its a sad thing they should be so suffer’d and that there should be places of refuge for such. There is one good act to relieve persons that are Confined it may be out of Malice and spleen to keep them allwayes so, but by this act any such Can sue out his habeas Corpus and soe be brought the first day of the terme Either to a tryal or give bail and soe be Let out.

Besides this there are in most Lordships, Courts kept which are Courts Banns and was at first the only jurisdiction by Each gentleman held, all misdemeanours punished, and by them Informed up to the higher courts of Kings Bench or Chancery, and alsoe had all their own privelidges maintained amongst their tennants and neighbours, and Consisted of a Court Life also which ran in y^e same nature with their session Courts. These our Laws are Esteemed the best in y^e world, we haveing two distinct parts, one Comon Law which is singular to our nation and are managed in these sessions, assizes, Kings Bench, and Common pleas, and Exchequor, the other is the Civil Law which is the only sort of Law in any other Kingdom, of which the Chancery, the Arches w^ch is under the archbishop and by his appoyntm^t to the severall Judges of that Court that are all Civillians, matters of Equitty, all probats of wills, w^ch in the Arches are made and recorded. This is in a place in the Citty the Doctors Commons where is this Court of Arches and prorogative Court which Consists of Doctors, Chancelours, Proctors, Suragats w^ch do y^e offices of Councellours attorney and Solicitours at Common Law. There are registers also from this at London. All the Bishops courts are kept in each Citty, managed by Chancelours which are Lay men, and the suragats, also the Bishops deputyes, the proctors, and parolers, which summons all to it, and there are four in a year in Each County. From hence are given out Licenses for marriages, here are y^e Cannon Laws of the Church explain’d and defended, all Church officers punish’d and examin’d, here are proceeding on Information all persons that infringe the Church Rites, and formerly all that were vitious and Corrupt in their practices, even of y^e Clergy also, and receiv’d suspension or some punishm^t due to the Crime, as Excommunication, but evil men and governours corrupt and Change wholesome Laws to Evil, so of Late these Laws have been put in Execution against tender Consciences that could not Comply to some forms prescrib’d in the Litturgy of the Church of England, and they have been Excommunicated, after which they are turned over to the Lay Chancellour and so prosecuted at Common Law because the spiritual Courts and men will not pretend to use the sword of punishment, but while they have turned its Edge thus against y^e tender Consciences scrupleing the forms of worship in the Church of England, they have Left punishing the enormous Crimes of their parishoners nay of their Clergy also, to the scandal of Protestants. Indeed blessed be God that since King William and Queen Mary of happy memory Weilded the scepter, and Liberty for such descenters have been Establish’d by an act of Parliam^t, of which houses shall now speake of. Our Kingdom is governed by Laws made and Establish’d pursuant to the first Constitutions and Magna-Charta, from which is derived all the Charters full of priviledges to each Corporation in the Kingdom, suiteable to their Customs and well being of each; these Laws are made and are not truely authentick if not Enacted and pass’d by our three states which is King, Lords and Commons, which Can make Laws for all Cases provided they are for the good of the whole and do not tend to subvert our originall Contract grounded on our Magna Charta or ffundamental Laws of the Land, which Constitution is by all the world esteemed the best if kept on each ones Basis, a tripple foundation, and when y^e King Exerts not his prerogative beyond its Limitts to the oppressing his peoples priviledges, nor the people exorbitant and tumultuous in the standing or running up their power and priviledges to Cloud and bind up the hands of the prince. But if it goes in an Equal and just footeing, the people whose is the purse and strength will maintaine the King and his Councellours, and they will do the best offices to the King from the people, and so the King might allwayes reigne in his peoples hearts by Love as well as over them, and they yeild duty and obedience to him, and securely repose in him that should so studdy to preserve them in all their privilidges and trade, which would procure us honour and admiration to the whole world, and Continue us too greate for Enemyes to invade or molest us and so great as to have all seeke to be our allies, and those that were so would find a secure trust and faithfull friends in us, but alas! its too sadly to be bemoaned y^e best and sweetest wine turns soonest sour, some by folly faction and wickedness have endeavour’d our own ruin, and were it not for Gods providentiall Care and miraculous works we should at this day been a people Left to utter dispaire haveing only the agraveteing thoughts of our once happy Constitution to Lament its Losse the more. To go on the Parliament which in Westminster Hall has appartments, the one for y^e house of Lords and Called the Upper House, where all the Lords which are not papists and w^ch are of age do sitt in their order on benches Covered with scarlet cloth, the Bishops Likewise sitt as peers of the realme and have voices in all Causes, but in bloud the sanguinary Laws and decision there on its said they may sitt, but they from their order in the Church alwayes go out, but they first make their claime that they might continue, but all other of y^e Lords if absent can give their proxy to another Lord and desire him to give his voice in matters debateable in his absence, and any such Lord Chuses another that he knows to be of his own sentiments, or should give him account at any case he should differ that may have the absent Lords real Consent, which has happened that a Lord has given his own voice one way and the proxy voice another as the absent Lord shall direct, but this is seldome and this is permitted because sickness or Extraordinary buissness of their own, the Kings, or the peoples, may require his absence. Now the Lords w^ch are peeres of the realme are born Councellors to the King and are Looked on as such, its true tho’ at all tymes they may and should give the King their advice yet y^e King has power and do make Choice of a privy Councill, which consist of Lords temporall and spirituall, w^ch are Bishops, and also out of some of y^e Commons of England which are the Gentry. In this house of Lords the judges as I said before sitts but have noe vote. The Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the Seale sitts and is speaker to that house, but if he be noe peer which sometymes happens, and is at this tyme in Right Lord keeper of the Seale, then I say he has no voice in any matter and serves them only as their servant or officer to put questions to Count their voice on their dividing on a matter, to make a speech to them from y^e King, and to present anything to y^e King, and he sitts on a wool-pack to just under the throne where the king sitts when there which is seldome but to pass bills. On each side of the throne is two stooles, y^t on the Right hand is for the Prince of Wales if any is, that on the Left to the first Duke prince of the blood royal or kings brother that is heir more remote. Behind the throne is a place for the noblemens sonns minors to be, to give them opportunity to heare and instruct them in the Laws of England. In the middle of the roome is tables w^th bookes and records, and there sitts the secretarys of state which are two, these with some under them take the minutes of what is debated and resolved. The Lords do form Law agreable to the fundamentall Laws in which the judges advise them. They thus form a bill which being in all poynts examined, all objections answered, and being well amended and passed three tymes, being read and agreed, is Carryed down to the Lower house which Consists of the Commons of England Chosen by a precept from the Crown to all the Sherriffs of the Countys to Chuse amongst themselves two of Each Corporation or Burrough, and two for each County which are Called knights of y^e shire, to represent them in this assembly. All that are free-holders of a County has a voice to Choose.

The Corporations and Burroughs Chuse by their freemen also, but because of the peculiar Customs and priviledges in each place it makes some variation. Those that have most of voices which are Legal to Chuse, the Bailiff or major of the place or sherriffs return up to the Crown office, from whence the precept Came, the Name of such persons so Chosen to sitt in the parliament. This was an Excellent Constitution and order when kept to its order that none were Chosen but the Gentlemen of the shire or town Living there, or Else the Chiefe of their Corporation that Lived there, by w^ch meanes they were fully instructed what was for the weale and good of Each place they serv’d for, and so Could promote designes for their advantage and trade and represent their Grievances to be redress’d, they also know the strength and riches of the nation and soe Could with a more Equal hand Lay y^e taxes on all answerable to their ability; but instead of this the nation is so Corrupted that what with hopes of prefferrment at Court or being skreen’d by their priviledges from paying their debts, which is thus: dureing the sessions or forty dayes before or after, such as are parliament men Cannot be arrested or troubled for money they owe, y^e reason at first was well grounded that these persons were known to be, and in Case a troublesome person had money due and had been delay’d by some Extraordinary Cause that this troublesome person might find such a one at the parliament house might Lay him in prison and so hinder y^e buissness of the nation. But this is abused to a great prejudice of the subject, men run out of their Estates strive to get into the Parliament to be skreen’d from their Creditors; and how Can those that are worth Little or nothing be good disposers of the kingdom treasure or priviledges, or stand up for them, but by this there is such bribeing by debauching by drinke and giving them mony, y^t Instead of the parliament men which use to be Chosen to be the Countrys representatives and servants, to whome they allowed soe much a day for their expences in London from their homes while attending the parliament, that now those that would be parliament men spend prodigious summs of money to be Chosen. Some to serve for knights of y^e shire have spent 1000 and 1500^lb and for Corporation and Burroughs in proportion, so y^t they Come in with design to be bribed by the Court or any body y^t has any buisness before them, y^t so they may be reemburz’d and may gaine more—some place at Least they Expect and these Care Little for y^e good of y^e nation, being for the most part perfect strangers to the places for whome they serve, and consequently to all their Circumstances and so can appeare for none of them to their advantage, indeed its their own game they mainly aime and pursue, for they have in their power to form good Laws suiteable to the fundamentall and Explanatory of such with additionalls to them, tending to the enlargeing as well as secureing their priviledges. Such Laws being brought in manner of a bill is read three tymes three severall dayes, so as all the members might or should have tyme to heare debate, consider and amend it, and Every member of this house of Commons that are so chosen and have met and take the oathes required of allegiance, they Come up to the house of Lords where y^e King meetes them and desires them to Chuse a speaker for themselves out of their own number, which they do and Come and present him to the King for his approbation, w^ch done the King makes them a speech and tells them what is requisite to be done relateing to the Crown, to fforreign things if any warre or any breach of peace any injury from thence, what is necessary to be done thereon, if any want of money which they only Can supply, the reasons of its wants, his promise well and faithfully to dispose it, he exhorts them to rectifye disorders in practice and soe dismisses them. This speaker of theirs is the Kings officer Dureing his being speaker and has a sallery and must keep a Great table. The king gives him one thousand pound presently to fitt him in his Equipage, he always goes in Coach or a foote haveing a mace carry’d before him, he has the advantage of all bills brought into the house a Certainty for Each, he has the advantage of all the votes printed, to sell them, he sitts in a Chaire above all the rest of the House to give him advantage to see or heare any member that speakes. He is to put all Questions, to Count the voices of noes and yeas on y^e division of the house. There are many Comittees in this house as well as in the Lords House, appoynted by the whole to Inspect severall buissness, and to form bills on such buissness to be brought in to the house. If it be a matter of great Consequence there may be a Comittee of the whole house which is only thus, y^e speaker Leaves his Chaire and they resolve themselves into such a Committee and debate matters, and for that tyme Choose a Chairman for the Committee. Then the speaker reasumes the Chaire and this Chaireman of y^e Comittee reports the debate of y^t Committee to the Speaker and whole House. When there is a full house, which may be never was, there is 500 as I said before. When they have pass’d a bill thrice through the house with approbation they send it up to the Lords, and if they pass it three tymes also without amendment then it is jnGross’d, haveing been pass’d the two states, and so Lyes ready to pass the Last which is the Kings Consent. But if either the bills sent down by the Lords are amended by y^e Comons, and when brought up to the Lords againe and they Like not those amendments then they Cast out the bill; so Likewise any bill sent up by the Commons for the Lords assent in Case they make amendments which y^e Comons Like not then they Cast out their bill; but if Each other agree to the amendments or pass the bills without amendment through both houses then they are Engross’d and prepared for the Royal assent, the third state of our government w^ch is in this manner. The King sends to y^e house of Lords to attend him in their own house, with their Robes w^ch are Scarlet Cloth with Earmine and Rows of Earmine w^th gold galloone on Each row, the rows are Encreassed to Each dignity and here y^e bishops weare robes w^ch are scarlet also, but they have about their neck a Large Cape w^ch hangs to their waste all round of a ffurr that Lookes Like Lambskinns, it hangs Like the Capes of the Cloakes y^e shepheards weare in the open plaine downes. The King enters; or the Queen as now it is—but I saw King William pass bills in his Royal Robes of Purple Lined Earmine w^th rows of Earmine and the crown on his head which was the Crown I spake of that had great pearles on the cross and saphires Rubies and Emeraulds—the Scepter in their hand—the Usher of the Black Rod is sent to the House of Comons to attend the King in the House of Lords which they do, with their Speaker that brings up such bills w^ch are so prepared and holds them in his hand, one by one presenting them to the King, who touches them with the scepter and sayes, “je le veux bieu” and so to all of them one by one, w^ch done if there be any thing necessary to be told them, the king either speakes to them or Else orders the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper to acquaint them of any thing in the Kings name if its the Kings pleasure to prorogue y^m for a few dayes weekes or months. Then that putts an End to that session till the tyme prefix’d and at that tyme they must meete againe without summons, and if they are not to meete so soone, y^e king Issues out a proclaimation y^t its his pleasure y^e parliament should be prorogued so much Longer. These prorogations allwayes puts an end to all debates and all bills which are not ffinished and brought the king to pass, so that at their meeteing againe they must begin the things they would have or were about the Last tyme anew. This prorogation is in the kings power and is often done for ten dayes only to put a stop to heares and debates in the houses, and also to put an end to something that is not Lik’d by y^e government. True Indeed they may begin y^e same things at their next meeteing, but if it be for the great and absolute service of the nation they may, but its contrived in another method so as not openly to Confront our governours, tho’ too often we have seen it in our dayes against our Glorious truely great King William whose wisdom and Compassion for our good pass’d it by and forgave it. Now in some Cases the King may and does call the Parliament by a proclaimation to sitt before the tyme of the prorogation be Expired which takes it off. The parliament does often adjourn themselves, as every night so sometymes for a weeke, but still the parliament is Look’d on as in sitting and so buisness is not jnterrupted but goes on from day to day as they appoint it. The king may also adjourn them and the two Houses may be adjourned together, but sometymes they may adjourn seperately, for one may adjourn themselves and y^e other Continue to act within themselves. Its also in the Kings power to dissolve y^e parliament w^ch puts a finall End to all their buisness which was not ffinished and brought to the King to pass, it also disperses the members of y^e House of Commons to be noe more representatives of y^e nation till another parliament be summon’d and y^e nation make new Choices, which sometymes and in some places falls on the old members. It is in the Kings prerogative thus to Call and disolve parliaments, to declare warre or peace and making alliances, but y^e Kings ought not nor do rightly undertake any such thing but by the advice of his standing Privy Councill, which I have spoken before, and so his proclaimations allwayes runs by and with the advice of his Privy Councill he does so and so, to which he joyns y^e great Councill of the nation w^ch is his two Houses of Parliament, Lords spiritual and temporall and Commons of England, when great matters are in agitation as y^t of peace or warre, w^ch is in y^e Constitution of the government, and strengthened by this that the sinnews of warre is in the people, for without them no money is to be had; they give the taxes and subsidies for such expences, nay y^e very revenue is given by them to the King or the Queen only dureing the then prince’s Life and must be asked of them that succeed at the death of their predecessors, at the death of such that is in the throne. Formerly the Parliament of Course was dissolved, all offices even to a justice of peace was vacant, but our wise King William contriveing only our good not only Laid a scheme which if be followed will carry on all the Confederacys and designes against the Common Enemy of mankind, but also as farre as he could to secure our peace w^ch was by obtaining an Act of Parliam^t that y^e parliament in being when y^e King died or Else the parliament but just then dissolv’d by the King, after he dies should assemble together to take care of the government and to act under y^e next prince for six months, and till that tyme all offices should remain as they were unless the next heir should before y^t full tyme were Expired should make any Change of places. This thing made the Loss of his death Less felt immediately and our Queen Ann found a quiet Easye ascention into the throne. there was also at the same tyme an Act to settle the succession in the protestant Line, and just before our heroe resign’d his Life crown and throne he pass’d an Act to secure us more firmly against any popish successour or pretended heirs to the Crown, by an abjuration oath to be taken by all subjects, of any prince thats a papist, w^ch Confirms the Acts of Parliam^t in years past which made a papist prince unable to be king or queen of England, because a papest. So this Engages the subjects to abjure all such or any of their abbettors or pretenders. This was a great pleasure to our dying king to Leave us with all the Security possible to Enjoy what he Came to save us in, and give us and what he had fought to obtaine for us, Liberty in religion and priviledges. I pray God we do not by our provokeing sinns move his anger not only to take from us our Benefactor and deliverer but also our said valuable Blessings and priviledges, the Gospel Light and being a free nation.