131 and ordinances, with other corporate functions; have a common seal, which they can break and renew at pleasure, (1) and who may inflict pains and penalties, conformably to the laws of England, in the same manner the bailiffs used to do. The mayor is chosen on the third Sunday after Easter, annually, and is liable to fine and imprisonment, on refusing to accept the office, without sufficient reason. The following ceremonial of his election may not be uninteresting: "Election of the mayor for the town and port of Hastings, on the third Sunday after Easter, being the Sunday after Hock-day. (2) "In the morning very early, the brazen horn is sounded by the serjeants at mace, in divers places of the town, to prepare the assembly for the election. Presently after dinner, the mayor and jurats, with the clerk and other officers of the court, do meet in a place of purpose prepared for them, to sit in the hundred place, now called the Wynning-lane, alias the Winding-lane, in which place of ancient continuance the said election and hundredcourt hath been performed. "Then shall the serjeant, from the mouth of the clerk, pronounce these words, viz. All manner of persons that have to do at the election of the King's Majesty's head-officer of this town and port of Hastings, for this year to come, now hear and give your attendance, upon pain and penalty that may fall thereon.' "And, anon, as you perceive the number to fill of freemen, the serjeant shall, in like manner, pronounce these words: • You, good men, free of this town and port of Hastings, that are assembled to the election of his Majesty's head-officer of the said town and port for the year to come, answer to your (1) See the annexed plate. (2) Hock-Tuesday.-A very memorable time with our ancestors; even so far as to be a kind of epoch, or period, to date their leases and other writings from, or make them payable then it was the second Tuesday after Easter, and was celebrated with public rejoicings and sports, in commemoration of the slaughter of a number of the Danes on that day; the expulsion of the rest, and the entire freeing of the kingdom from their oppressors, about the year 1000. names every man as you be called over, upon the pain to lose your voices at the said election.' "The serjeant shall then call them severally, and by a note, which the clerk shall have ready written, of all the freemen of the town, and shall note the appearance of all such as do answer, that a true record may be made by what persons the said head-officer is elected. "Note well. That if those which do appear, do not call upon one, but some stand for one, and some for another; then, by a major part of their voices, the election shall be known, and that party which hath most voices shall be head-officer. "After their appearances noted, the clerk shall declare unto them the cause of their assembly in these, or the like words, by way of exhortation:- All you that have made your appearance, draw near and receive your charge. It is not unknown to you, that, of long time and custom used, upon this day, the King's Majesty's head-officer of this town and port of Hastings, hath been elected and chosen, successively to continue the weal public and good government of this town and corporation, which head-officer, you, the freemen of this town, by accustomed continuance, have used, and now in like intent are appointed to chuse and elect: And, therefore, Mr. Mayor, in his Majesty' name, chargeth you and every of you, by virtue of the oath that you and every of you have taken, at your several admittances to the liberties of this town, that you get together by yourselves to elect, name, and choose one jurat of this town, which shall be inhabitant, and one of the brethren, and associate with him at the bench one whole year before this present day, and such one as you shall think most meet and able to exercise the office within this town, the liberties and franchises thereof, as his Majesty's lieutenant for the year following; and such a one as will tender the glory of ALMIGHTY GOD, the good service of his sacred Majesty, the public weal of this corporation, and the private peace and tranquillity of us, the inhabitants thereof, which GOD grant.' "Then bid the serjeant make O, yes,' three times, and cause him to say in this manner, 'Mr. Mayor and his brethren strictly charge and command, in his Majesty's name, that none be so hardy as to approach to the said electors by one hundred foot, upon pain of losing his upper garment.—And that every man lay from his person all weapons, upon pain of losing the same and that every man keep his Majesty's peace -and that no man disturb this election, nor give voice in choosing his Majesty's head-officer, but such one as be thereunto assigned, upon pain of imprisonment, and to be fined at the will and pleasure of Mr. Mayor and his brethren.' "And the said freemen, charged as before, shall depart to have communication amongst themselves of the said election, which being done and agreed upon, they shall return, and by the mouth of the antientest of them, shall make report to the whole assembly of their election, which antientest man shall deliver the Mace to that jurat which shall be so nominated and elected. "Mem. :-That before the departure of the freemen to the election of the new head-officer, the old mayor shall deliver the mace to the antientest freeman, together with the names of all the jurats on the bench, by word of mouth, of whom they are to choose one. "Then desire the freemen to elect the common clerk, chamberlain, &c. &c." (1) N. B. The mace alluded to, or rather maces, (for there are two belonging to this corporation) are of the usual form and alike as to shape and ornament. They are about two feet and a half in length, and were a present from Lord Ashburnham, whose arins are on one side, beneath the Imperial crown, by which they are surmounted, and on the other side is the representation of an ancient ship. Each has the following inscription engraved on it :— "The Gift of the Right Honble. John Lord Ashburnham, Thos. Lovel, son of Philip, Esq. Mayor." "27th April, (1) The following is taken from the town records :-" 1740. At an assembly of the mayor, &c., the Court taking into conșideration the charge and expence that attends the execution of the office of mayor, It was ordered, that the then present mayor, Charles Stevens, should be allowed £10 for his fee and wages, out of the revenue of the |