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Not to insist upon the Antiquity, Nobility, nor the first foundation and scituation of this glorious City, comparing it with others (of old) rarely remarkable; now demolisht and ruin'd: neither with those contemporary or at this present in greatest prosperity, either for Magnificent structure, or Grave and godly Government; because it hath bin the Annuall argument, suiting with the occasion now in agitation: let them therefore passe as conclusions granted, & principles against which there is no disputation to be held; since for beautifull Architectures, Pallaces, Rialtoes, Guilds, Arcenalls, Temples, Cathedralls,

Aquæducts &c. and further for cōmerce in al Countries, Christian or Heathen; discoveries, plantations, (as in Ireland, Virginia, Bromoothos, or Summers Islands, St. Christophers, New England, Harbergrace in new-found Land &c. In which the most famous Cities of the World, Athens, Thebes, Lacedemon, nor Rome it selfe the Metropolis of the Roman Empire, could in her most flourishing estate and Potency, (though she Tyranniz'd over the whole World,) in the least compare with London. And in the way of Competitor-ship, the Spartan Ephori, the Athenian Areopagitæ, with Romes purple Optimates, may subscribe to her scarlet Senate; no Pretor in any City whatsoever being graced with the like Sollemne and sumptuous Inauguration.

But from the City, I come now to the particular Company of the Drapers, one of the prime members thereof; which may claime one speciall priority above the rest: in regard that Sir Henry Fitz-Alwin was of that Fraternity, and the first Lord Major, who might bee rather cald a perpetuall Dictator than an one yeares Prætor; continuing his Majoralty from foure and twenty yeares and upwards together: nor Anno completo, but vita durante; from his Initiation, to his Expiration: which hath not hapned in any other of the eleven Worshipfull Societies. After him within a little space, Sir William Powltney foure yeares together Lord Major, Iohn Hind, Sir Iohn New-man, Sir Richard

Hardell, before whom the Sword was borne for the space of sixe severall yeares without intermission. Simon Eyre who built Leaden Hall, or Sir Richard Pipe, George Monox, Sir Iohn Milborne, Sir Richard Campion, Sir Thomas Hayes, Sir Iohn Iolls, Sir Edward Barkham, Sir Martin Lumley, Sir Allen Cotten, Sir Cutbert Hacket, and Sir Maurice Abbot, whom the Right Honourable Henry Garway now succeedeth: the right Worshipfull Mr. Thomas Adam, being this yeare Sheriffe, and of the Drapers Society.

And although before the last Lord Major preceeding this, there hath not bin any for the space of ten yeares of that Worshipfull fraternity, yet in the Annuall vicessitude of twelue yeares before, sixe of those before named were elected into the Prætorian dignity: and all, or most of these from the first being builders of Churches, and Chappels; Founders of Schooles, Almes-houses, and Hospitalls, repayrers of decayed Temples, and Oratories; Benefactors to Halls, and liberall contributors to the maintaining of Arts, and all Pious and Charitable acts whatsoever. Besides your Coate of Armes, Nobilitated by ancient Heraldry, being three imperiall Crownes supported by two golden pelletted Lions; your Crest Aries, the first of the twelue Zodiack signes; your inscript, To God alone be all honour and glory: your Patronesse, the blessed Virgin; all these approve your antiquity and dignity: I have nominated these amongst many, &c. but I come now to the first shew by water.