Report of the Commissioners: Parts 3 and 4

City of London Livery Companies Commission. Report; Volume 1. Originally published by Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1884.

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City of London Livery Companies Commission, 'Report of the Commissioners: Parts 3 and 4', in City of London Livery Companies Commission. Report; Volume 1( London, 1884), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/livery-companies-commission/vol1/pp25-42 [accessed 12 October 2024].

City of London Livery Companies Commission, 'Report of the Commissioners: Parts 3 and 4', in City of London Livery Companies Commission. Report; Volume 1( London, 1884), British History Online, accessed October 12, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/livery-companies-commission/vol1/pp25-42.

City of London Livery Companies Commission. "Report of the Commissioners: Parts 3 and 4". City of London Livery Companies Commission. Report; Volume 1. (London, 1884), , British History Online. Web. 12 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/livery-companies-commission/vol1/pp25-42.

In this section

PART III.

Officers and Servants.

The third part of Your Majesty's Commission is as follows:—"To inquire into and ascertain the officers and servants of the Companies, and the salaries or other emoluments to which such officers and servants are entitled, and the mode of appointment of such officers and servants, and the duties which they perform."

Into these matters we have inquired, as the returns show. For the purposes however, of this report, we venture to combine this head of Your Majesty's Commission with that which follows.

PART IV.

The fourth part of your Majesty's Commission relates to (1) the amount of the income of the Companies, and the sources from which it arises, (2) the capital value of their property, (3) their management of their property, (4) their expenditure. Its text is as follows: "To inquire into and ascertain the property of, or held in trust for or by such companies, both real and personal, and where the same is situate, and of what it is composed, and the capital value of the several descriptions of such property, and the annual income of such property, and the mode in which the property is managed and the income is expended."

Amount and sources of the companies income.

1. As to the amount of the income of the Companies, the interrogatories administered by us to the courts and officers on this subject were of an exhaustive kind, and in the cases (they were not numerous), in which the returns in answer to these interrogatories seemed to us to require explanation, we have not scrupled to put further questions.

A few, however, of the minor Companies have declined to make returns (fn. 1) or have made returns which are not satisfactory; so that we are not in possession of full information.

Difficulty as to allowance in respect of halls.

Moreover, there is considerable difficulty in estimating the value which should be placed for the purposes of this head of your Majesty's Commission on certain kinds of property which the Companies of London possess, for instance, (1) their halls, almshouses, and schools, (2) their plate and furniture, (3) the livings of which they are patrons. It is obvious that the Companies' property, real and personal, which falls under any of these three heads is not strictly speaking a source of income; yet, for the purposes of this head of your Majesty's Commission, an allowance ought probably to be made in respect of the annual value of this property (fn. 2).

Increase in last 10 years.

Again, between 1870 and 1879, the time over which we have extended the inquiry, the yearly income of the Companies has increased by more than 100,000l. (fn. 3).

Estimate of income.

On the whole we estimate the trust and corporate income of the Companies of London for 1879 (or 1880) (fn. 4) as between 750,000l. and 800,000l, a sum exceeding the income of the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and of the colleges therein, at the time when these learned bodies were inquired into by the Commission recently appointed by Your Majesty for that purpose (fn. 5).

Capital value.

2. As to the "capital value" of the property of the Companies, into which we are required by Your Majesty to inquire as a branch of this head of the Commission, we laid a case before Your Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests, consisting of the materials for forming an estimate which are contained in the returns of the Companies. Your Majesty's Commissioners referred the matter to gentlemen who are accustomed to act as surveyors to the department. These gentlemen, however, stated, that they could not undertake to furnish an estimate, and that none of any real accuracy could be made without a regular survey, which would require a long time and involve great expense.

Taking the real property owned by the Companies at a number of years' purchase, which we are informed cannot be excessive, and the income of their personal property as representing an ordinary percentage on the capital, we are of opinion that the capital value of the Companies' property cannot be less than 15 millions sterling.

Income, corporate and trust.

The income arising from this property is partly (1) corporate income, i.e., income which is at the absolute disposal of the Companies, that is to say, according to their present constitution at the absolute disposal of the governing bodies or courts of the Companies, (2) trust income, i.e., income which the Companies or their courts are bound to apply in accordance with (1) the wills of founders, (2) Acts of Parliament, (3) the decrees of the Chancery Division of Your Majesty's High Court of Justice, and (4) schemes framed by your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities, and your Majesty's Commissioners of Endowed Schools.

Incomes of the different companies.

The following list shows the income (1) corporate, (2) trust of (1) the great Companies in order of civic precedence, (2) the minor Companies in alphabetical order.

Great Companies.

Income (for 1879 or 1880.) Corporate. Trust.
£ £ £
Mercers 82,758 47,341 35,417
Grocers 38,236 37,736 500
Drapers 78,654 50,141 28,513
Fishmongers 50,713 46,913 3,800
Goldsmiths 54,297 43,505 10,792
Skinners 28,927 18,977 9,950
Merchant Taylors 43,311 31,243 12,068
Haberdashers 29,032 9,032 20,000
Salters 21,040 18,892 2,148
Ironmongers 21,647 9,625 12,822
Vintners 10,887 9,365 1,522
Clothworkers 50,458 40,458 10,000

Halls, almshouses. schools', plate and furniture, livings. Debts.

The rateable value of the halls of these Companies is about 35,000l., that of their schools and almshouses is probably about 15,000l. The value of their plate and furniture is approximately, as returned, about 270,000l. The annual income of the livings in their gift is about 12,000l. a year.

Their debts amount to about 180,000l. (fn. 6)

Minor Companies.

Income. Corporate Income. Trust Income.
£ £ £
Apothecaries 3,898 3,398 500
Armourers 8,086 8,026 60
Bakers 1,911 1,591 320
Barbers 1,720 1,120 600
Basketmakers 61 61 None.
Blacksmiths 684 684 None.
Bowyers 590 550 40
Broderers No return. 70 (?)
Brewers 18,640 3,157 15,482
Butchers 2,021 1,389 632
Carpenters 11,318 10,378 940
Clockmakers
Coachmakers 1,179 1,179 None.
Cooks 2,560 2,380 180
Coopers 7,120 2,420 4,700
Cordwainers 7,754 6,154 1,600
Curriers 1,295 1,245 50
Cutlers 5,387 5,337 50
Distillers No return.
Dyers 7,000 6,000 1,000
Fanmakers 250 250 None.
Farriers 240 240 None.
Feltmakers 362 172 190
Fletchers 150 150 None.
Founders 1,943 1,853 90
Framework Knitters 310 180 130
Fruiterers 470 467 3
Girdlers 4,306 2,932 1,374
Glass Sellers 190 100 90
Glaziers 300 260 40
Glovers 150 150 None.
Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers 65 62 3
Gunmakers 2,565 2,565 None.
Horners 100 100 None.
Inholders 1,547 1,327 220
Joiners 1,312 1,312 None.
Leathersellers 18,728 16,395 2,333
Loriners 1,267 1,267 None.
Masons 400 400 None.
Musicians 400 400 None.
Needlemakers 250 250 None.
Painters 3,100 800 2,300
Patten Makers 300 286 14
Pewterers 3,850 3,610 240
Plaisterers 900 867 33
Playingcard-makers 50 50 None.
Plumbers 900 882 18
Poulterers 1,050 620 430
Saddlers 11,243 10,243 1,000
Scriveners 856 846 10
Shipwrights 833 833 None.
Spectaclemakers 1,134 1,089 45
Stationers 4,746 3,170 1,576
Tallow Chandlers No return. 220
Tinplate Workers No return. 37
Tylers and Bricklayers 834 664 170
Turners 718 718 None.
Upholders 353 333 20
Wax Chandlers 1,005 1,375 230
Weavers No return. 360
Wheelwrights 319 319 None.
Woolmen 300 300 None.

Halls, almshouses, schools.

The rateable value of the halls of the minor Companies is about 20,000l. a year, that of their almshouses, schools, &c. is about 3,000l. a year. The value of their plate and furniture is, approximately, as returned, about 50,000l. They are not patrons of livings. Their debts amount to upwards of 90,000l.

Distribution of income, corporate and trust.; Trust income, small.

It will be noticed that there is great disparity in the amount of the trust incomes of the Companies. In some cases it is a mere nothing. The strongest instances are those of (1) the Grocers' Company, the trust income of which is 500l. out of a total income of 38,000l., (2) the Armourers' Company, the trust income of which is 60l. out of a total income of 8,000l. Other, though less striking, examples are those of (1) the Fishmongers' Company, the trust income of which is 3,800l. out of a total income of upwards of 50,000l., (2) the Leathersellers' Company, the trust income of which is 2,300l., out of a total income of nearly 19,000l., (3) the Saddlers' Company, the trust income of which is about 1,000l. out of a total income of upwards of 11,000l.

Trust income, large.

On the other hand the trust incomes of the two wealthiest Companies, the Mercers' Company and the Drapers' Company, are respectively above one-third and two-fifths of the total income, in the case of the Mercers' Company 35,000l. out of 83,000l., in that of the Drapers' Company 28,000l. out of 79,000l. (fn. 7) Also in several cases the trust income greatly exceeds the corporate income. Thus (1) the trust income of the Haberdashers' Company is probably 20,000l. out of a total income of 30,000l., (2) the trust income of the Brewers' Company is 16,000l. out of a total income of 20,000l., (3) the trust income of the Painterstainers' Company is 3,000l. out of a total income of 4,000l., (4) the trust income of the Ironmongers' Company is 12,000l. out of a total income of 21,000l. (fn. 7)

Companies without trust incomes.

The above table also shows that some of the minor Companies are not trustees of charities. These are the Companies of Basketmakers, Blacksmiths, Coachmakers, Fanmakers, Fletchers, Glovers, Gunmakers, Horners, Joiners, Loriners, Masons, Musicians, Needlemakers, Playing Cardmakers, Shipwrights, Turners, Wheelwrights, and Woolmen. The total income of these 18 Companies is, however, only about 8,000l. a year, and several of them, particularly the Loriners' and Spectaclemakers Companies, Companies upon the number of whose liveries we have commented, and the recently resuscitated Companies of Turners, Needlemakers, Fanmakers, Shipwrights, &c., have scarcely any income, except such as arises from the fees and fines paid by existing members.

Estimates of (1) total trust, and (2) total corporate incomes of the Companies of London.; Annual balances.

On the whole, we think that of the sum of from 750,000l. to 800,000l. which constitutes the annual income of the Livery Companies of London, (1) about 200,000l. a year is trust income, (2) from 550,000l. to 600,000l. is corporate income. (fn. 8)

We should here state, as regards the materials of this estimate, that in the tables on which it is founded, the balance in hand at the beginning of each financial year is excluded, as not being income. The sum thus excluded is considerable, and we have made an addition to the (fn. 9) corporate income of the Companies, which may be supposed approximately to represent the annual interest of such sum.

Situation of the Companies' Estates.

Situation of the Companies' estates.; City of London. County of Londonderry.

This part of Your Majesty's Commission refers specifically to the situation of the real property held by the Livery Companies of the City of London.

We have already briefly described to Your Majesty the processes by which the Companies became large holders of house property within the City and its liberties, and we have alluded to the facts of the share taken by the Companies in the "colonization" of Ulster, and of their acquisition in consequence of a large tract of land in the county of Londonderry.

Metropolitan estate.

We have now to state that the real estate of the Companies is situated partly (1) in the City of London proper, in other districts of London, and in the suburbs of London, (2) in various parts of England, (3) in the county of Londonderry, Ireland.

1. Metropolitan Estate.—The Metropolitan estate of the Companies consists (1) of the halls, and such of the almshouses, schools, and other institutions maintained by the Companies as are within the metropolitan area; (2) of some thousands of houses in the City of London proper, many of them in excellent situations, and let as warehouses, banks, counting-houses, salerooms, offices, and shops, and also of some wharves with warehouses attached to them, situated on the banks of the Thames, some on the City side, some on the Surrey side; (3) of house property outside the City of London proper, but within the metropolitan area; viz., in Stratford (fn. 10), West Ham (fn. 11), Fulham (fn. 12), Hackney (fn. 13), Hammersmith (fn. 14), Lambeth (fn. 15), Islington (fn. 16), Notting Hill (fn. 17), Stoke Newington (fn. 18), Stepney (fn. 19), Walworth (fn. 20), Hoxton (fn. 21), Finsbury (fn. 22), St. Pancras (fn. 23), Southwark (fn. 24), and Whitechapel (fn. 25).

2. Estates in English Counties.—The Companies of London are owners of agricultural land or of house property or of rentcharges in the following English counties:— Bedfordshire (fn. 26), Buckinghamshire (fn. 27), Berkshire (fn. 28), Derbyshire (fn. 29), Durham (fn. 30), Essex (fn. 31), Gloucestershire (fn. 32), Herefordshire (fn. 33), Hertfordshire (fn. 34), Kent (fn. 35), Lancashire (fn. 36), Lincolnshire (fn. 37), Middlesex (fn. 38), Monmouth (fn. 39), Norfolk (fn. 40), Northumberland (fn. 41), Northamptonshire (fn. 42), Oxfordshire (fn. 43), Staffordshire (fn. 44), Shropshire (fn. 45), Surrey (fn. 46), Wiltshire (fn. 47), Yorkshire (fn. 48), Sussex (fn. 49).

Two Companies possess estates in Wales (fn. 50), one lands in the Isle of Man (fn. 51).

3. Irish Estate.—Several of the Companies possess a considerable amount of real property in the county of Londonderry. The estate is the remnant of the lands in Ulster which the Companies of London and the Irish Society were respectively compelled to purchase at the commencement of the seventeenth century. (fn. 52)

Income arising from (1) Rents (2) Personal Property.

Rents. Personal property.

We find that the rental of the real property above described is at present above 600,000l. a year. A further sum, exceeding 100,000l., is derived from dividends representing investments.

Rents. Prospective increment.; City house property.

As regards the former part, it has been suggested that there would be advantage in our attempting a rough estimate of the probable increase, if any, in the Companies' rental within the next quarter of a century. On this point we have consulted your Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests, but the surveyors who are employed by the Department decline to furnish an estimate. We believe that there are experts who consider that the value of City house property—the principal property of the Companies—has reached its culminating point. But on the other hand, a large proportion of the Companies' estates in the City and in the metropolitan area is at present let on long building leases, on the termination of which, there is a certainty of an increased ground rent. We regard this circumstance as conclusive evidence that the value of the Companies' estates is at present rapidly increasing; but we do not forget that the values of their property in Ireland, and also that of their agricultural property in England, are respectively, at any rate, for the moment, at present decreasing. On the whole we think it not unlikely that the value of the estate may rise from 15 millions, its present amount, to 20 millions in the next 25 years. (fn. 53)

Personal property.

As regards the latter part (1) about 60,000l. a year arises from trust property invested in consols and other securities: (2) some of the small Companies, which do not own land, derive their whole permanent income from savings, accumulations of fees and fines, similarly invested: (3) a part of the sum is derived from the purchase money of houses in the city of London, in some cases corporate, in other cases trust property, which the Companies have been compelled to part with under the provisions of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act for the purposes of railways, docks, and other public undertakings.

Contributions of existing members.

The contributions of existing members, consisting of quarterages, entrance fees, livery fines, and fines on promotion to the court, or to office, appear to amount to from 15,000l. to 20,000l. a year. In other words, existing members contribute from 1/50th to 1/37th or thereabouts of the total income.

Expenditure (1) Trust (2) Corporate.

Expenditure. (1) trust, (2) corporate.

Of this income of upwards of 700,000l. a year, more than 200,000l. a year arises from trust property, and is applied, as we have already stated, by the courts of the Companies in accordance with (1) the wills of founders, (2) Acts of Parliament, (3) decrees of the Chancery Division of Your Majesty's High Court of Justice, (4) schemes framed by Your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities, or Your Majesty's Commissioners of Endowed Schools. (fn. 54)

The fund arises from about 1,100 benefactions, the earliest certainly not less ancient than the fourteenth century, the latest under wills proved within the last few years. Of this sum of upwards of 200,000l. a year, about 140,000l. a year arises from rents and rentcharges; the remainder arises from dividends. (fn. 55)

Your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities in their "Digest of Endowed Charities," published in 1877, have analyzed the objects, as reported upon by Your Majesty's Inspectors of Charities in 1862, supported by the trust income of the Livery Companies, and have shown that about one half the income was then expended upon the inmates of almshouses and poor members, about one quarter on education, i.e., on schools, apprenticing charities, and exhibitions at the universities, and about one quarter on charitable objects of a general kind; the two principal charities of this third class being endowments for the relief of the indigent blind (fn. 56) and a fund for the sustentation of elementary schools connected with the Church of England. (fn. 57)

Present distribution of charitable income.

The returns show that since 1862 there has been a considerable alteration in the distribution of the charitable income of the Companies, owing to the increase of the rents of certain of the educational foundations. At present, of the 200,000l. which forms the charitable income, (1) about three-eighths, or 75,000l. a year is expended on the support of almshouses and the relief of poor members; (2) about three-eighths, or 75,000l. a year, on education, as above defined; (3) about one quarter, or 50,000l. a year, on charitable objects of a general kind.

Obsoletc or impracticable charities.

Some of the charities of the third class are bequests for purposes which are obsolete, such as the relief of the inmates of debtors' prisons; others are bequests for purposes which seem to have become impracticable, owing to the difference between ancient and modern times, as for instance, "portions to poor maids" and "loan charities" for advances to young men commencing business (fn. 58).

Provincial charities.

Many of the Companies' charities are for the benefit of the inhabitants of provincial towns and villages. We believe that this is so as regards all the counties in which the companies possess lands. It would seem that in early times persons from the provinces came to London to engage in business, and when they had amassed fortunes, left legacies to their native places as well as to the guilds to which they belonged.

Almshouses and pensions to poor members.

1. As regards the first division of the charitable expenditure, viz., the sum of 75,000l., which is spent on almshouses and poor members. Most of the great Companies, and several of the minor Companies. maintain almshouses for their poor. The principal of such almshouses are Whittington College (fn. 59) in Islington, maintained by the Mercers' Company, St. Peters' Hospital at Wandsworth (fn. 60), maintained by the Fishmongers' Company, the Goldsmiths' almshouses at Acton, Middlesex, and Hackney (fn. 61), the Merchant Taylors' almshouses at Lee, Kent (fn. 62), the Skinners' almshouses at St. Helen's and Mile End (fn. 63), the Salters' almshouses at Watford (fn. 64), the Ironmongers' almshouses in Kingsland Road (fn. 65), the Vintners' almshouses at Mile End (fn. 66), the Clothworkers' almshouses at Islington (fn. 67), the Armourers' almshouses in Bishopsgate (fn. 68), the Bakers' almshouses in Hackney (fn. 69), the Brewers' almshouses at South Mimms (fn. 70), the Carpenters' almshouses at Twickenham (fn. 71), the Coopers' almshouses at Stepney, Middlesex (fn. 72), the Dyers' almshouses in the City Road and in Spitalfields (fn. 73), the Framework Knitters' almshouses in Shoreditch (fn. 74), the Girdlers' almshouses at Peckham (fn. 75), the Leathersellers' almshouses at Barnet (fn. 76), the Saddlers' almshouses in Isleworth (fn. 77), the Tylers' and Bricklayers' almshouses at Islington (fn. 78), and the Weavers' almshouses at Wanstead (fn. 79).

The dates of the foundation of these charities, as given in the notes, are taken partly from the returns made to the present Commission by the Companies, partly from the reports of the Charity Commissions, and of Your Majesty's present Inspectors of Charities. There is reason, however, for supposing that many of these foundations are really older. Probably as early as the fourteenth century the Companies had several almshouses in the City of London.

Subsequent endowments.

These institutions have in almost all cases been largely endowed by bequests of land or money of a date subsequent to their foundation. Upwards of 500 of the 1,100 charities administered by the Companies relate to the sustentation of the almshouses, or to the relief of impoverished members, or that of the widows and orphans of members by gifts of money, food, or clothing. Very many trusts of this kind have been created during the last century, and not a few during the present century, the benefactors having been in every instance, it is believed, members of the Companies.

Sums spent on the almshouses out of the corporate income Subscriptions by existing members.

The reports of the Charity Commissions and the return of Your Majesty's inspectors of Charities contain histories of these foundations which show that from a very early period they have been assisted by the Companies by grants from corporate income. In many cases also existing members have subscribed out of their private means to support them. During the past and the present centuries, also, almost all the almshouses have been rebuilt, and for this purpose the Companies have made considerable grants out of the income arising from their non-trust property.

The almshouses vary in size, some being mere cottages, others like Whittington and St. Peter's Colleges, large establishments, managed by a governor, a chaplain, and a considerable staff of servants.

Pensioners.

Besides the almspeople, a large number of pensioners, decayed liverymen and freemen, and widows and orphan daughters of former members, who are in an indigent condition, are supported or assisted out of the trust income of the Companies. More than 600 charities exist for this purpose.

There are far more women than men inmates of the Companies' almshouses, and a large majority of the pensioners are the widows and orphans of members, chiefly of the mere freemen, the poor members who have never been called to the livery.

The reasons which render it impossible to accurately estimate the number of freemen (fn. 80) equally prevent us from calculating the proportion of freemen, who either themselves, personally, during their lifetimes, or after their deaths, vicariously through their widows or orphan daughters, become recipients of charitable relief from the trust funds of the Companies. We should infer, however, that the proportion is large.

Number of almspeople and pensioners. Sums paid to such persons.

The present number of almspeople, pensioners, and persons otherwise relieved by the Companies, we estimate at about 2,500. Of these, one person, a pensioner, who formerly was a member of the Court of one of the principal Companies, receives 400l. a year, and we have met with instances in which a widow and the orphan daughters of a deceased liveryman jointly receive 250l. a year. (fn. 81) But there are very few pensions of more than 100l., or at most 150l., a year, and the great majority do not exceed 50/. a year, while many consist of much smaller sums. The expense of maintaining the almspeople may be estimated at about 60l. a year each.

Examination into cases of alleged distress.; Inability of Charity Commissioners to interfere.

We were invited by several of the Companies to inspect their almshouses; but we considered this an unnecessary extension of the inquiry which we had been commanded by Your Majesty to institute. Several of the Companies have stated in their returns the nature of the examination which they are accustomed to make into cases of alleged distress, and we questioned on this subject some of their representatives, gentlemen of much experience in the discharge of this delicate and important part of the duties of the governing bodies. (fn. 82) We need only, however, repeat that the constitution of these bodies as above described by us is the only guarantee which the public has for the propriety of this as of other branches of their expenditure, with the addition that Your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities, though they are empowered by their Acts of Parliament to frame schemes under certain conditions for the reorganization of these charities, have no authority to inspect the almshouses or to interfere with or even criticise the expenditure of the governing bodies on almspeople, pensioners, and recipients of casual relief.

Addition from corporate income.

The trust fund for the sustentation of the almshouses, and that for the relief of pensioners, is at present, and has been for the last 10 years, materially increased by a large subsidy from the corporate or non-trust income of the Companies.

Expenditure on education.

2. As regards the second head of the charitable expenditure, viz. the sum of 75,000l. which is spent on education, the objects supported are (1) the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, (2) certain schools.

(1) The Arabic Professorship at Cambridge derives a portion of its endowment from the funds of one of the Companies. (fn. 83). Several of the great Companies, and a few of the minor Companies, are trusiees of funds for the maintenance of scholarships or exhibitions at each university. (fn. 84) The number of such foundations at Cambridge is considerably larger than that of those at Oxford. The trusts are generally in terms for the benefit of "poor scholars," and we are informed that in the elections candidates, the means of whose parents are small, are sometimes preferred.

At the two universities there are generally at present upwards of a hundred undergraduates who derive assistance from the funds of the Companies. We have ascertained that some of these students acquit themselves extremely well in the University examinations.

The Companies make a considerable addition to the trust fund which exists for these purposes out of their corporate income.

Classical schools.

(2.) A. Five schools at which a classical education is given are managed by the companies of London. These are St. Paul's School, (fn. 85) Merchant Taylors' School, (fn. 86) Tunbridge School, (fn. 87) Aldenham School, (fn. 88) and Great Crosby School (fn. 89). St. Paul's School and Tunbridge School are two of the most richly endowed schools in England. Merchant Taylors' School has no endowment; it is supported by the Merchant Taylors' Company out of their corporate income. The three first-mentioned schools have a large number of valuable exhibitions at the Universities, of some of which the managing companies are themselves trustees (fn. 90). Each of these five schools has a high reputation.

St. Paul's School is at present being rebuilt, pursuant to a scheme of Your Majesty's Endowed School Commissioners issued in 1879.

Merchant Taylors' School has recently been rebuilt by the Merchant Taylors' Company.

Tunbridge School has also been recently rebuilt, pursuant to a scheme sanctioned by Your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities in 1870.

The total number of scholars receiving their education at these schools, assuming them to be full, may be estimated at upwards of 2,000 (fn. 91).

The returns show that during the last 10 years the Merchant Taylors' Company have spent on the Merchant Taylors' School a sum of 140,000l. out of their corporate income. The reports of the Charity Commissioners and those of Your Majesty's Inspectors of Charities, show that at times antecedent to the period taken in by our inquiry, the Mercers' and Skinners' Companies spent considerable sums from the same source on St. Paul's and Tunbridge Schools respectively.

"Middle class" schools.

B. The Companies are also trustees and managers of several middle-class schools for children of both sexes. The principal foundations of this kind are (1) in London the Mercers' School (fn. 92), the Grocers' Middle-Class School at Hackney Downs (fn. 93), Bancroft's School at Mile End (fn. 94), the Greencoat School at Greenwich (fn. 95), Aske's Schools at Hatcham and Hoxton (fn. 96), Dame Owen's School at Islington (fn. 97), the Ratcliff schools at Stepney and Bow Road (fn. 98) and the Stationers' school (fn. 99). (2) in the provinces,—a school at Horsham, Sussex (fn. 100), a school at West Lavington, Wiltshire (fn. 101), a school at Oundle, Northamptonshire (fn. 102), a school at Colwall, Herefordshire (fn. 103), a school at Witney, Oxfordshire (fn. 104), a school at Tottenham, in Essex (fn. 105), Sir John Gresham's school at Holt, Norfolk (fn. 106), a school at Cromer, in Norfolk (fn. 107), a school at Bromyard, in Herefordshire (fn. 108), a school at Stockport, Cheshire (fn. 109), a school at Ashwell, Hertfordshire (fn. 110), a school at Wallingford, Oxfordshire (fn. 111), a school at Newport, Staffordshire (fn. 112), a school at Monmouth (fn. 113), a school at Banbury, Cheshire (fn. 114), a school at Landrake, St. Erny, Cornwall (fn. 115), a school at Peel, in the Isle of Man (fn. 116), a school at Sutton Valence, Kent (fn. 117), and a school at Islay, Walton, Leicestershire (fn. 118).

The number of children of both sexes who are educated at these schools is upwards of 10,000.

On all these schools we find that the Companies which manage them have spent considerable sums out of their corporate incomes. This will be seen on reference to (1) the reports of the Charity Commissioners, (2) the reports made by Mr. Hare, Your Majesty's senior Inspector of Charities, and his colleagues, (3) the returns of the Companies which show that during the years over which our inquiry has extended the Companies have shown great liberality in this respect.

Proportion of trust incomes applicable to (1) classical, (2) middle class education.

It is difficult to fix with accuracy the proportions of this item of the trust-income of the Companies, amounting, as we have stated, to 75,000l. a year, which are applicable to (1) classical, (2) middle-class, education respectively. We believe that, including under the former head the contribution to the universities, the sam allocated to classical education is about 35,000l. a year, that allocated to middle-class education about 40,000l. a year.

General charity.

3. Of the sum of 50,000l. a year, which forms the third division of the trust income of the companies, that described by us as devoted to charitable objects of a general kind (1) an amount of about 9,000l. a year is applicable to the sustentation of primary schools under the management of clergymen of the Church of England in England and Wales (fn. 119), (2) an amount of about 5,000l. is applicable to the relief of indigent blind persons (fn. 120), (3) the remaining sum, consisting of about 36,000l. a year (arising from nearly 500 legacies, bequeathed during a period commencing in the 14th and ending in the present century), is applicable (1) to the relief of the poor of the parishes in the City of London, by doles of money and food, and gifts of clothing, (2) to the relief by the same means, of the poor of parishes in London, outside the City, and of the poor of many urban and rural parishes throughout England; (3) to clerical objects connected with the Church of England, such as lectureships of a general or special character at churches in the City of London, or in connection with certain of the charitable institutions maintained by the Companies in the provinces; (4) to annual subscriptions to medical charities, particularly the London hospitals; (5) to those obsolete or impracticable purposes of which we have given some instances above.

Reports of Inspectors of Charities.

The reports of Your Majesty's inspectors of charities, which are printed as a part of the Appendix to this Report, contain detailed accounts of all the charities above- mentioned, setting forth (1) the names of the founders, (2) abstracts of the deeds or wills constituting the charitable trusts, (3) the property, whether real or personal, which is charged therewith, (4) the mode in which the trusts are administered. In the cases (they are very few) in which a private Act of Parliament has been obtained, the terms of the Act are set forth. In the cases (they are numerous) in which the Court of Chancery has decreed schemes for alterations in the administration of charities, or in which Your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities, or Your Majesty's Commissioners of Endowed Schools have framed schemes for similar purposes under the Acts of Parliament from which they respectively derive their powers the terms of the schemes are set forth. The amount of charitable property thus dealt with by these authorities has been very considerable (fn. 121).

Gratuitous management of charities.

We believe that, except in cases where (1) the terms of the charitable bequests authorize the Companies to charge for administering the charities, or (2) where an Act of Parliament or a scheme in Chancery, or one framed by Your Majesty's above-mentioned Commissioners expressly authorizes them to do so, the courts of the Companies manage the charities above-mentioned gratuitously. They do not charge the trusts with the five per cent. on the annual value which is commonly allowed in such cases by the rules of the Chancery Division of Your Majesty's High Court of Justice.

Corporate Income.

Corporate income.; Available corporate income.; Spent on (1) maintenance, (2) entertainments, (3) benevolent objects.

We have stated that, including an allowance in respect of (1) the halls and other buildings used by the Companies, and of (2) their plate, furniture, and other property not producing income, we estimate the corporate or non-trust income of the livery Companies of the City of London at from 550,000l. to 600,000l. a year. Taking the smaller sum as a basis, and deducting from it a sum of 125,000l., which may be taken to represent (1) such allowance, (2) a sum representing the interest of the debt of the Companies, and (3) a sum representing the average proportion of income saved annually; an amount of, roughly speaking, 425,000l. remains to be accounted for. Of this sum, we compute that (1) about 175,000l. is annually spent on "maintenance," (2) about 100,000l. is annually spent on entertainments, (3) about 150,000l. is annually spent on benevolent objects.

Maintenance.

1. In "maintenance" we include (1) sums spent in the payment of rates and taxes, in rebuilding, repairs, and other charges connected with the halls, ( (fn. 122) ) almshouses, schools, and other buildings occupied or used by the Companies, and improvements on their estates, (2) in the payment of court fees, i.e., fees paid to the members of the courts or governing bodies for attendance at meetings for the discharge of the business of management, (3) in the salaries of the officers and servants employed by the Companies in London, and on their estates in Ireland. We estimate that of the 175,000l. spent on "maintenance" (1) about 75,000l. a year is spent on rates, taxes, rebuilding, repairs, and improvements, (2) about 40,000l. a year is paid to the members of the governing bodies as "court fees," (3) about 60,000l. a year is spent on the salaries of the officers and servants of the Companies. This is, however, a somewhat rough estimate, the parts of the returns which relate to the subject not being precisely uniform.

Rates, taxes, repairs, improvements.

(1.) Of the above-mentioned sum of 75,000l. rates and taxes, which include the tithe rentcharge on the Ulster estates of the Companies, form the least considerable item. A sum which amounts to a very heavy per-centage on the income derived from Ireland is annually spent on "improvements," in which term are included not only drainage and farm buildings, but the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, and the support of places of worship, schools, and dispensaries for the use of the tenants. A fair proportion of the fund is expended on repairs and improvements in connection with the urban and rural English estates of the Companies. The largest item, however, is that which is annually expended on the restoration and decoration of the halls, 34 in number, which the Companies possess. ( (fn. 123) )

Court fees.

(2.) "Court Fees," in respect of which a sum amounting to 40,000l. is annually distributed among the members of the governing bodies, are payments to such members for attendance at the "courts" or meetings of the governing bodies for the transaction of business, e.g., admissions to the freedom, calls to the livery, elections to the courts, appointment of officers and servants, management of the corporate and charitable estates, elections of almspeople and pensioners, superintendence of schools, invitations to entertainments, and the selection of public or benevolent objects to be supported out of the corporate income.

The highest fee paid for attendance at a single meeting is five guineas, the lowest half a guinea. In many of the less opulent Companies, no fees are paid. The courts of the chief Companies meet about once a month, those of the minor Companies about once a quarter. Where the business is large and complex, committees are appointed for special purposes, and in some cases the members appointed to serve receive extra fees. The prime wardens, the renter wardens, and the other members holding office, generally receive higher fees than the ordinary members or assistants. (fn. 124)

Owing to omissions in some of the returns, we are unable to state definitely the largest sums received annually as "court fees" by members of the governing bodies of the Companies. We should infer that there were cases in which as much as 300l. was thus paid in a year to an individual. From the returns it appears to be not uncommon for members of the courts to receive as much as 150l. a year. On the other hand, there are cases in which members of the courts of wealthy Companies do not receive as "court fees" more than 50l. a year.

Salaries. English and Irish staffs.

The sum of 60,000l., at which we estimate the salaries and allowances annually paid to the officers and servants of the Companies, supports two staffs, (1) the one employed at the halls or clerks' offices of the Companies in London, (2) the other employed in Ireland in connection with the Ulster Estates. A clerk and a beadle have been attached to each guild since a date prior to its incorporation. As the estates have increased, a number of additional offices have been created, such as those of accountants, surveyors, and assistant clerks, and a staff of domestic servants has been engaged. Those of the Companies which retain their lands in Ulster have employed resident agents since they ceased to let to middlemen. As may be supposed, the expenses of the staff employed in London are much greater than those of that employed in Ireland.

Salaries of clerks.

The highest salaries paid to clerks of the London Companies amount to about 2,000l. a year. The returns show that there are at present two gentlemen in this position who receive this sum for their services. The salary next in amount is one of 1,500l. a year. These are, however, exceptional cases. The clerks of most of the important Companies receive about 700l. a year. The salaries of those attached to the minor Companies are small. The clerks are mostly solicitors, and in some cases are allowed to carry on a private practice at the halls of the Companies which employ them.

In the above calculation we have not taken into account the salaries of the masters of the Companies' schools, those of the governors, matrons, and medical officers of their almshouses, or those of the chaplains and clerical lecturers whom they employ in connection with the charities of which they are trustees.

Entertainments.

2. The cost of the entertainments annually given by the Companies we estimate at 100,000l. (fn. 125)

Livery and court dinners.

They are of two kinds, (1) banquets to the liveries, (2) dinner parties which take place on the days on which the Courts meet. Two or three banquets of the former kind are held annually in the more considerable Companies. In those of less importance not more than one livery dinner is given annually, and in some cases, owing to want of funds, the members of the liveries are not entertained. It is the practice of most of the Companies to invite guests on these occasions. Royal personages, members of Your Majesty's family, members of the reigning houses of Continental States in alliance with Your Majesty, during their visits to London, and persons of distinction, both subjects of Your Majesty and foreigners, are frequently entertained by the Companies, which thus assist the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London in dispensing the hospitality of the city. Their entertainments to persons of eminence are frequently preceded by the ceremony of conferring their freedom, honoris causâ, on their distinguished guests.

The Court dinners, which are more frequent, are comparatively small parties. In many cases guests are invited to these entertainments also.

Public or oenevolent objects.

4. The part of the Companies' corporate income which is d voted to public or benevolent objects we estimate at 150,000l. a year. If to this sum be added the trust income of 200,000l. a year, it follows that about half the income of the Companies is at present allocated either under the term of benefactions or voluntarily to public or benevolent objects.

(1) Relief of poor members.

(1.) Of this sum of 150,000l. a year, about 10,000l. a year appears to be expended on the relief of poor members, an object to which, as we have explained, three-eighths of the trust income, or 75,000l. a year, is applicable.

(2) Education.; Exhibitions.

(2.) About 50,000l. appears to be expended on education: (1) A large number of the exhibitions to which the Companies appoint as trustees have been added to by them out of their corporate income, and several exhibitions have been endowed by the Companies out of the same source, some at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, some at University and King's Colleges, London, some in connection with the Companies' numerous schools, some in connection with the London School Board, some in connection with the newly founded colleges for the higher education of women, Girton College and Newnham College, and other institutions.

Schools.

(2.) Almost all the schools of which the Companies are trustees are assisted out of the corporate incomes of the Companies, and some of those enumerated in the above list, such as the Merchant Taylors' School of the Merchant Taylors' Company, and the middle class school at Hackney recently founded by the Grocers' Company, are without endowment, and are supported out of sums voluntarily set aside year by year out of the corporate incomes.

Technical education.; City and Guilds of London Technical Institute.

(3.) The subject of technical education has within the last few years been taken up by the Companies. The Clothworkers' Company has promoted the establishment of Yorkshire College at Leeds where instruction is given in the manufacture of woollen goods, and similar institutions at Bradford, Huddersfield, and other places, the present seats of its former trade. The "City and Guilds of London Institute for the Advancement of Technical Education" has also recently been formed. It is an Association consisting of representatives of the City of London, and of most of the more considerable Livery Companies, and the funds which have been placed at its disposal by the City and the Companies are very large. A building fund of upwards of 100,000l. has been contributed, and annual subscriptions have been promised amounting to about 25,000l. a year. The former sum has been or is being expended on a Technical College in Finsbury and a "Central Institution" in South Kensington. (fn. 126)

Benovelent and public objects.

Charities in connection with estates in Ulster.; Provincial charities.; Charities of London; London hospital.; Clerical funds.; Mansion House funds.; Exhibitions.

3. About 90,000l. a year appears to be expended on benevolent and public objects of a general character. Besides the contribution to churches, schools, and dispensaries in Ulster, which is frequently, as we have stated, included in the returns in the expenses of the management of these estates, the Companies contribute largely to other Ulster charities, both religious and secular, and also have of late subsidized new railways by grants of land and loans. These sums taken together amount to a deduction from the rents greatly exceeding the sum commonly contributed to such purposes by private landlords. In the districts of England in which the Companies possess lands they generally support the religious and secular charities connected with their estates. As regards London, where the bulk of their property is situated, they make annually a very large contribution, one probably amounting to 70,000l. or 80,000l., to public and benevolent objects. One hospital, the London Hospital, has during the 10 years over which our inquiry has extended received 26,500l. from a single Company, that of the Grocers. The other great hospitals, the hospitals for special diseases, the dispensaries, and the other medical charities, not only those of the City proper, but those in other parts of London, receive a very large sum annually from the Companies. Religious charities also, such as the Bishop of London's fund and the societies having for their object the building and endowment of churches and schools in connection with the Church of England, receive a considerable subsidy. Secular objects, orphanages, refuges, and funds for the relief of distress, such as the poor boxes at the Metropolitan Courts, are also supported by the Companies, and they are large contributors to the numerous "Mansion House Funds" set on foot under special circumstances by the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London. Of late also, and particularly since the movement in favour of technical education began, some of the Companies whose names represent existing trades have given exhibitions at their halls or elsewhere of works of art or of the processes of manufacture, ( (fn. 127) ) and have become supporters of trade benefit societies.

Mode in which the corporate estate was acquired.

Acquisition estate.

A part of Your Majesty's Commission ( (fn. 128) ) having been a direction to us to inquire into "any trust deeds or other documents affecting" the Companies, we included in our circular of interrogatories a question as to the mode in which the real estate held by each Company as corporate property had been acquired. The Companies have not, however, generally answered this question, except by the mere statement that the parcel of land in question was "acquired by the Company in its corporate right" and as their title deeds are privileged documents, and we have not been invested with the power of enforcing discovery, we have not derived much information on this subject from the returns.

Evidence from (1) the reports of the Charity Commissioners, (2) those of the Inspectors of Charities, also (3) proceedings in Chancery.

The reports, however, of the several Charity Commissions, and those of Your Majesty's present Inspectors of Charities—the latter form part of the Appendix to this Report—though nominally confined to the trust estate of the Companies, are really of great importance as regards their corporate estate, and particularly as regards that portion of it which consists of house property in the city of London. The proceedings also which have taken place, from time to time, in the Court of Chancery have thrown much light on the (fn. 129) circumstances under which this estate has been acquired. (fn. 129)

The information which is to be derived from the above-mentioned sources may be thus summarized:—

Purchasers by "custom of the city."

1. A large proportion of the lands in the city of London held by the Companies "in their corporate right" was acquired by them outside their licences in mortmain, under the custom of the city which we have described.

"Obit lands.

2. A large proportion of the lands in the city of London held by the Companies "in their corporate right" was obtained under wills constituting trusts for the maintenance of obits, chauntries, or for other "superstitious uses." This land the Companies were allowed, as we have already stated, to purchase from the Crown after its confiscation at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries. This was done by means of Crown grants made in the reigns of Edward VI. and James I. (fn. 130)

Interpretation of Crown grants by Court of Chancery.

Reasons for regarding this as trust property.

The terms of the grants have been held by the Court of Chancery (fn. 131) to have vested in the Companies the same absolute property in these lands which the Act of the 1st Edward VI. vested in the Crown, and they have thus been since the Reformation in the eye of the law the corporate property of the Companies, free from any trust. There is no doubt, however, that the lands were only allowed to be bought back because the Companies represented to (fn. 132) the Crown, as was no doubt the fact, that the rental was required for the support of their almshouses, schools, and exhibitions, many of which depended for their existence on these superstitious benefactions. We think there is nothing unfair as regards the Companies in a recognition of this state of circumstances, and though we allow all proper weight to the decisions of the Court of Chancery, we do not consider ourselves bound by them in framing the present Report to Your Majesty, and we desire to express the opinion that these Crown grants may be reasonably taken to have been made in the expectation that the income would continue to be in great part applied to charitable objects, such as, in particular, education and the relief of poverty. The amount of these repurchased lands is very large, though we are unable to estimate it with precision, as the materials for doing so are not contained in the returns or in the documents with which we have been supplied by Your Majesty's Commissioners of Charities. We should add that the reports of Your Majesty's inspectors show that a very considerable amount of this fund is applied by the Companies voluntarily to charitable objects of the nature defined in their above-mentioned representation to the Crown (fn. 133).

Legacies of money to be converted into land.

3. The reports of Your Majesty's Inspectors of Charities contain many cases of early legacies of money which, by the terms of the bequests, was to be converted into land. It sometimes, however, appears that the Companies have not been able to prove from their archives that the trust to purchase lands had ever been executed, and that they have been in the habit of simply crediting the charities with the annual interest of the sums bequeathed. Many of the deeds and minutes of court of the Companies perished in the Fire of London, and there is consequently serious difficulty in ascertaining the truth as to this matter.

It is obvious, however, that, if these bequests of money were really spent on the purchase of land in the City, the lands so bought are a part of the trust as opposed to the corporate estate; and that considering the great recent increase in the value of house property in the City, a serious loss may have resulted to the charities administered by the Companies. The history of these bequests is, however, so imperfectly known that we are not justified in inferring that this undesirable result has occurred in many instances.

Origin of large sums raised by the Companies.

4. For the purpose of the re-purchase of their forfeited estates, as above mentioned, and also for the purposes of the rebuilding of their halls and house property after the fire, and of the acquisition of their Ulster lands, the Companies raised very large sums of money between the years 1547 and 1604. The returns dwell on these facts and in effect represent the Companies as having been founded anew at their own expense during this period. The sum paid to the Crown in respect of the Irish estate seems to have been levied as a civic impost. There is little direct evidence as to the origin of the funds with which the "chauntry" lands were redeemed, and the halls and houses were rebuilt (fn. 134); but it would seem that part was raised by mortgage, part by the contributions of existing members, or members who were persuaded to join for the purpose of helping the Companies out of their difficulties. Even assuming, however, that the Companies were actually founded anew at this period, the second foundation took place a long time ago, and they are public bodies. Moreover the object of the contributions which were made to repair the ravages of the fire was in great part the maintenance of the schools, almshouses, and other charitable institutions, of which the Companies then were and now are trustees.

Doctrines of Chancery.; Ct-près schemes.; Unexpected increment.

5. Through the courtesy of the two learned gentlemen who have assisted us, we have been placed in a position to appreciate, however imperfectly, the results of the interpretation put by the Court of Chancery on wills where the question has been whether the charities, or the Companies which administer them, were to become entitled to the increased income resulting from the rise in value of house property in the City of London, and also the schemes framed by that Court in accordance with the principle of çy-près to which it has recourse in the case of obsolete or impracticable benefactions. We do not think these results always satisfactory as regards the affairs of the Companies. We recognize that the function of a Court can only be accurately to interpret the terms of the wills and to carry out the founders' intentions, and no doubt the rules as to interpretation adopted by the Court of Chancery are judicious, while, in framing çy-près schemes, the Court has shown a wise and liberal spirit, and has done its utmost to recognize changes in the circumstances of the times and in popular opinion. But we think it impossible to peruse many of the cases without seeing that the Companies have made good their title to unexpected increment as corporate income when there was really an intestacy with respect to the fund, or under circumstances which do not show at all decisively that the testator ever intended to constitute them beneficiaries. This observation applies to a very considerable sum of money. We are also of opinion that the applications to the Court of Chancery for çy-près schemes, and to Parliament for private Acts, have been attended with much unnecessary expense, and have not always led to the results most useful to the public (fn. 135).

School Board Report on Companies' charities.

In concluding this summary of the results of our inquiry as regards the first four parts of Your Majesty's Commission, we must not neglect to thank the School Board for London for their valuable report on the subject of the charities administered by the Companies. It is exceedingly elaborate, and we have much pleasure in testifying to its excellence, and in acknowledging the assistance which we have derived from it. We conceive, however, that it is not necessary for us to express an opinion on the very numerous questions raised by it as to a better application of the Companies' trust income, and in particular as to the effect of section 30 of the Endowed Schools Act, 1869, on some of the endowments; which is a question of law.

Assistance rendered to the Commission in the course of the inquiry.

We have also to tender our thanks for valuable assistance in the course of this inquiry to (1) Earl Granville, Your Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and to the Secretaries of Legation who, under his Lordship's directions, have favoured us with reports with respect to the mediæval guilds of the Continent; to Monsieur Pigeonneau, of the Sorbonne, and Mons. Levasseur, of the French Institute, to Mons. Emile de Laveleye, of Liège, to Mynheer Vandereige, of the Hague, to Herr Vispering, of Berne, to Dr. Brock, of Bergen, to Signor Luigi Bodio, the Director of Statistics at Rome, to Señor Don Morel and Señor Don Pascal de Gayangos, of Madrid, and to the Viscomte de Figanière, of Lisbon, gentlemen who have sent us communications on the same subject; to (2) the Bishop of Chester, Mr. Froude, and Mr. Freeman, who have given us opinions and advice as to points of history; to (3) Dr. Brentano, of Aschaffenburg, and Miss Toulmin Smith, who have advised us as to points of archæology, and to (4) Mr. Horace Davey, one of Your Majesty's Counsel learned in the law, and Mr. Francis Vaughan Hawkins, the two members of the Equity bar who have been so good as to place their services at our disposal, and who have given us highly useful advice.

Footnotes

  • 1. The Broderers', Bowyers', Distillers', Glovers', Tinplate Workers' and Weavers' Companies. We have caused the rate books to be searched for the purpose of discovering whether they possess any real estate.
  • 2. See Appendix Table A. (Great Companies), and Table B (Minor Companies), and Incomes of the Companies of London as returned (1) to the Municipal Commission of 1834, (2) to the City Livery Companies Commission of 1880.
  • 3. Between 1834 (according to the Municipal Commissioners Report) and 1880, the income of the Drapers' Company rose from 23,811l. to 78,654l., that of the Fishmongers' Company from 20,908l. to 50,713l.
  • 4. Some of the returns state the Companies' incomes for 1880.
  • 5. See Report of Universities' Commission published in 1876.
  • 6. A part of this sum is owing by certain Companies to certain other Companies.
  • 7. These sums refer only to income strictly speaking. No allowance is made for halls, schools, almshouses, or any other property which does not produce incomes.
  • 8. In this we include an allowance for the value of the halls and other buildings, and also in respect of the plate and furniture of the Companies and their other property which does not produce income.
  • 9. Some part of this balance, however, arises from accumulations of trust income.
  • 10. Carpenters' Company.
  • 11. Ironmongers' Company, Carpenters' Company, Salters' Company.
  • 12. Carpenters' Company.
  • 13. Farriers' Company, Clothworkers' Company.
  • 14. Brewers' Company, Girdlers' Company, Clothworkers' Company.
  • 15. Butchers' Company.
  • 16. Clothworkers' Company, Mercers' Company, Glaziers' Company.
  • 17. Barbers' Company.
  • 18. Mason's Company, Barbers' Company.
  • 19. Coopers' Company.
  • 20. Fishmongers' Company.
  • 21. Haberdashers' Company.
  • 22. Blacksmiths' Company.
  • 23. Brewers' Company.
  • 24. Coopers' Company, Cordwainers' Company, Girdlers' Company, Saddlers' Company.
  • 25. Gunmakers' Company, Tylers' and Bricklayers' Company. Some of these estates are very large, as, e.g., the Clothworkers' and Brewers' Companies' estates at Islington, the Fishmongers' estate at Walworth, the Haberdashers' estate at Hoxton, the Clothworkers' estate at Hackney.
  • 26. Drapers' Company, Mercers' Company.
  • 27. Mercers' Company, Girdlers' Company, Brewers' Company.
  • 28. Fishmongers' Company, Salters' Company.
  • 29. Goldsmiths' Company.
  • 30. Mercers' Company.
  • 31. Drapers' Company, Goldsmiths' Company, Haberdashers' Company, Salters' Company, Brewers' Company, Coopers' Company, Feltmakers' Company, Pewterers' Company, Saddlers' Company.
  • 32. Haberdashers' Company.
  • 33. Grocers' Company.
  • 34. Drapers' Company, Merchant Taylors' Company, Clothworkers' Company, Brewers' Company, Leathersellers' Company.
  • 35. Mercers' Company, Drapers' Company, Fishmongers' Company, Skinners' Company, Merchant Taylors' Company, Haberdashers' Company, Vintners' Company, Clothworkers' Company, Coopers' Company, Leathersellers' Company, Saddlers' Company.
  • 36. Merchant Taylors' Company.
  • 37. Mercers' Company, Drapers' Company.
  • 38. Goldsmiths' Company, Salters' Company, Brewers' Company, Blacksmiths' Company, Coopers' Company, Cordwainers' Company, Leathersellers' Company, Musicians' Company, Saddlers' Company.
  • 39. Haberdashers' Company.
  • 40. Drapers' Company, Fishmongers' Company.
  • 41. Mercers' Company.
  • 42. Grocers' Company.
  • 43. Grocers' Company.
  • 44. Haberdashers' Company.
  • 45. Haberdashers' Company.
  • 46. Drapers' Company, Fishmongers' Company, Skinners' Company, Merchant Taylors' Company, Haberdashers' Company, Ironmongers' Company, Clothworkers' Company, Carpenters' Company, Cooks' Company, Coopers' Company, Musicians' Company.
  • 47. Clothworkers' Company.
  • 48. Drapers' Company, Ironmongers' Company.
  • 49. Goldsmiths' Company, Merchant Taylors' Company.
  • 50. Grocers' Company, Drapers' Company.
  • 51. Clothworkers' Company.
  • 52. All the great Companies and many of the minor Companies received allotments. At present, only six of the great companies have estates in Ulster, viz., the Mercers', Drapers', Fishmongers' Skinners', Salters', and Ironmongers' Companies. The other six great Companies, viz., the Grocers', Goldsmiths', Merchant Taylors', Haberdashers', Vintners', and Clothworkers' Companies have sold their Ulster lands. Some of the minor Companies have also disposed of their shares. The amount of land which remains in the hands of the Companies and the Irish Society is about 150,000 acres, mostly agricultural, and let in small holdings. The estate contains the small towns of Kilrea, Magherafelt, and Dungiven. Till a comparatively recent period, all these lands were let to middlemen, who sublet to the actual occupiers. The Mercers' Company came into possession in 1831, the Drapers' Company in, the Fishmongers' Company about 1820, the Ironmongers' Company in 1840, the Salters' Company in 1853, the Skinners' Company in 1872.
  • 53. The Municipal Commissioners' report shows that the rental of the Drapers' Company was in 1833 about 23,500l., and that the rental of the Fishmongers' Company was in 1834 about 18,000l. In 1879 the rental of the Drapers' Company proves to have been about 69,000l., and in the same year that of the Fishmongers' Company proves to have been about 48,000l.; so that in less than 50 years, one estate increased nearly 300 per cent., and another nearly 270 per cent. in annual value.
  • 54. The jurisdiction of the Chancery Division is founded on the "Statute of Charitable Uses," 43 Eliz. c. 4, passed in 1601. This statute sets forth the following purposes as charitable, viz., "For relief of aged, impotent, and poor people; for maintenance of sick and maimed soldiers and mariners, schools of learning, free schools, and scholars in universities; for repairs of bridges, ports, havens, causeways, churches, seabanks, and highways; for education and preferment of orphans; for or towards relief, stock, or maintenance of houses of correction; for marriages of poor maids; for supportation, aid and help of young tradesmen, handicraftsmen, and persons decayed; for relief or redemption of prisoners or captives; and for aid or ease of any poor inhabitants concerning payments of fifteens, setting out of soldiers, and other taxes." A series of decisions of Courts of Equity have settled that, in addition to the purposes thus enumerated, those also are to be considered as charitable which are by analogy within the spirit and intendment of the statute. The Court, upon the motion of the Attorney-General, either ex officio or at the instance of a relator (1) decides as to whether the funds in question are within its jurisdiction, (2) frames in the case of obsolete purposes cy près schemes. The Charity Commission derives its powers from "The Charitable Trusts Act, 1853" (16 & 17 Vict. c. 137), "The Charitable Trusts Act, 1855" (18 & 19 Vict. c. 124), "The Charitable Trusts Act, 1860" (23 & 24 Vict. c. 136), and "The Charitable Trusts Act, 1869" (32 & 33 Vict. c. 110). They are partly judicial, partly administrative. The Commissioners and their inspectors are empowered to make inquiries into the circumstances of charities, and to enforce the production of the information which they may require for this purpose. Under certain circumstances the Commissioners may sanction schemes for the allocation of charitable income. The trustees of charitable endowments are bound to keep full accounts of the expenditure and to transmit them annually to the Commissioners. The reports of the Inspectors of Charities on the Companies' Charities are published in the Appendix to this report, as are also the accounts of the Companies' Charities, which were supplied to the Charity Commissioners during the year 1880.
  • 55. The charitable income of the Livery Companies of London was reported as 67,700/. a year by the first Charity Commissioners. This was apparently the income about the year 1820. In the return furnished by the present Charity Commissioners at the instance of Lord Robert Montague in 1877, the charitable income is stated to be 99,000l. The report, however, refers to the year 1862. The School Board of London, reporting in 1881 on materials supplied to their Endowments' Committee by the Charity Commission, estimate the charitable income of the Companies at about 186,000l. This estimate relates to the income for 1878. Our estimate of 200,000l. refers partly to the income for 1879, partly to that for 1880.
  • 56. The principal trusts for this purpose are administered by the Clothworkers' Company.
  • 57. This trust is administered by the Ironmongers' Company.
  • 58. The objects of the 1,100 trusts administered by the Companies include, it is believed, all those enumerated in the "Statute of Charitable Uses" (43 Eliz. c. 4.), except the maintenance of "houses of correction" and the relief of "poor inhabitants."
  • 59. Founded in 1421.
  • 60. Founded in 1618.
  • 61. Founded respectively in 1562 and 1703.
  • 62. Founded in 1683.
  • 63. Founded respectively in 1558 and 1683.
  • 64. Founded in 1454 and 1578.
  • 65. Founded in 1555 and 1703.
  • 66. Founded in 1446.
  • 67. Founded in 1540, 1640, 1697.
  • 68. Founded in 1551.
  • 69. Founded in 1589.
  • 70. Founded in 1686.
  • 71. Founded in 1840.
  • 72. Founded in 1540.
  • 73. Founded in 1545.
  • 74. Founded in 1727.
  • 75. Founded in 1431.
  • 76. Founded in 1620.
  • 77. Founded in 1454.
  • 78. Founded in 1832.
  • 79. Founded in 1669.
  • 80. See supra, p. 24.
  • 81. See return of Mercers' Company.
  • 82. See the returns passim, also the oral evidence of Sir F. Bramwell and Mr. Prideaux, representatives of the Goldsmiths' Company.
  • 83. The Drapers' Company. The professorship was founded in 1666.
  • 84. Mercers' (Foundations 1584–1629). Grocers' (Foundation 1656). Fishmongers' (Foundations 1563, 1583, 1642. Skinners' (Foundations 1562, 1618, 1619). Merchant Taylors' (Foundations 1580, 1626, 1747, 1854). Haberdashers' (Foundations 1596, 1622, 1659). Ironmongers' (Foundations 1555, 1579, 1622, 1877). Clothworkers' (Foundations 1586, 1599, 1630, 1635). Bowyers (Foundation 1625). Carpenters' (Foundation 1656). Cutlers' (Foundation 1566). Leathersellers' (Foundations 1601, 1605, 1638). Saddlers' (Foundation 1677).
  • 85. Founded 1519; managed by the Mercers' Company.
  • 86. Managed by the Merchant Taylors' Company.
  • 87. Founded 1553; managed by the Skinners' Company.
  • 88. Founded 1599; managed by the Brewers' Company.
  • 89. Founded 1618; managed by the Merchant Taylors' Company.
  • 90. Founded St. Paul's School, 1519; Merchant Taylors' School, 1580, 1854, 1855; Tunbridge School, 562, 1619.
  • 91. St. Paul's School should ultimately contain 1,000 scholars; Merchant Taylors' School at present contains 500; Tunbridge School about 300.
  • 92. Founded 1542; managed by the Mercers' Company.
  • 93. Founded by the Company pursuant to a scheme sanctioned by the Endowed Schools Commissioners in 1873.
  • 94. Founded 1728; managed by the Drapers' Company.
  • 95. Founded 1685; managed by the Drapers' Company.
  • 96. Founded 1688; managed by the Haberdashers' Company.
  • 97. Founded 1609; managed by the Brewers' Company.
  • 98. Founded 1540; managed by the Coopers' Company.
  • 99. Founded 1858 in pursuance of a scheme established by an order made in the Court of Chancery.
  • 100. Founded and managed by the Mercers' Company.
  • 101. Founded and managed by the Mercers' Company.
  • 102. Founded 1556; managed by the Grocers' Company.
  • 103. Founded 1612; managed by the Grocers' Company.
  • 104. Founded 1670; managed by the Grocers' Company.
  • 105. Founded 1617; managed by the Drapers' Company.
  • 106. Founded 1554; managed by the Fishmongers' Company.
  • 107. Founded 1505; managed by the Goldsmiths' Company.
  • 108. Founded 1656; managed by the Goldsmiths' Company.
  • 109. Founded 1487; managed by the Goldsmiths' Company.
  • 110. Founded 1655; managed by the Merchant Taylors' Company.
  • 111. Founded 1659; managed by the Merchant Taylors' Company.
  • 112. Founded 1656; managed by the Haberdashers' Company.
  • 113. Founded 1614; managed by the Haberdashers' Company.
  • 114. Founded; managed by the Haberdashers' Company.
  • 115. Founded 1703; managed by the Ironmongers' Company.
  • 116. Founded 1653; managed by the Clothworkers' Company.
  • 117. Founded 1876; managed by the Clothworkers' Company.
  • 118. Founded 1625; managed by the Bowyers' Company.
  • 119. The Betton Charity, founded 1723, administered by the Ironmongers' Company.
  • 120. The principal charities for this purpose were founded respectively 1717–24 and 1790, 1795, 1808, 1860, and are administered by the Clothworkers' Company and the Painterstainers' Company
  • 121. The following is a list of the principal Acts and Schemes:— (1) Mercers' Company. Bancks's Charity, founded 1619, Scheme in Chaucery 1883; Bennett's Charity, founded 1619, Scheme of Court of Exchequer 1831, 1833; Viscount Campden's Charity, founded 1616, Scheme of Endowed Schools' Commission, 1875; Dormer's Charity, founded 1545, and 10 other charities, Scheme in Chancery 1833; Trinity Hospital, Greenwich, founded 1614; Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1879; St. Paul's School, founded 1514; Schemes of Endowed Schools' Commissioners 1876 and 1879; Colliers' Charity, founded 1532; Schemes in Chancery 1812. (2) Grocers' Company. Lady Slaney's Charity, founded 1607, Act of Parliament 1869. (3) Drapers' Company. Howell's Charity, founded 1530, Schemes in Chancery, 1853, 1859, 1865; Queen Elizabeth College, founded 1596, Scheme in Chancery, 1596; Russell's Charity, founded 1593, Scheme in Chancery, 1845; Kendrick's Charity, founded in 1624, Scheme in Chaucery 1847, Walters' Charities, founded in 1656 and 1658, Scheme in Chancery 1861, Dixon's Charities, founded in 1691 and 1695, Scheme in Chancery 1848; Harwar's Charity founded 1704, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1879; sundry Charities, founded 1563-1676, Scheme of Privy Council 1844. (4) Fishmongers' Company. Hulbert's Charity, founded 1719; Copping's Charity, founded 1686, Scheme in Chancery 1836; Gresham's Charities, founded 1554 and 1556, Scheme in Chancery 1859; sundry Charities, founded 1552–1576, Schemes in Chancery 1837, 1841. (4) Goldsmiths' Company. Myddleton's Charity, founded 1631, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1875; Mundie's Charity, founded 1562, Scheme in Chancery 1877. (5) Skinners' Company. Attwell's Charity, founded 1588, Scheme in Chancery 1828, Fisher's Charity, founded 1562. Scheme in Chancery 1833, Hunt's Charity, founded 1557, Scheme in Chancery 1822, Judd's Charity, founded in 1538, Scheme in Chancery 1836. Lancaster's Charity, founded 1618, Scheme in Chancery 1713. (6) Merchant Taylors' Company, Blundell's Charity, founded 1599, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1878; Donkin's Charity, founded 1570, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1872; Dowes's Charity, founded 1610, Scheme in Chancery 1876; Harrison's Charity, founded 1618, Scheme of Endowed Schools' Commissioners 1874; Hyde's Charity, founded 1607, and other Charities, Scheme in Chancery 1876. (7) Haberdashers' Company, Aske's Charity, founded 1688, Scheme of Endowed Schools Commissioners, 1873; Bond's Charity, founded 1671, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1874; Cleave's Charity, founded 1665, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Hammond's Charity, founded 1638, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Jones's Charity, founded 1614, Schemes in Chancery 1701, 1705. Scheme' of Charity Commissioners 1879; Sundry Charities, founded 1575–1651, Scheme in Chancery 1836. (8) Salters Company, Beamond's Charity, founded 1454, Scheme in Chancery 1841; Coates's Charity, founded 1546, Scheme in Chancery 1839; (9) Ironmongers' Company, Betton's Charity, founded 1723, Decree of House of Lords 1844; Handson's Charity, founded 1653, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Campbell's Charity, founded 1641, Dane's Charity, founded 1579, Scheme in Chancery 1837. (10) Clothworkers' Company, Bumell's Charity, founded 1603, Scheme of Endowed Schools Commissioners 1878; Cornell's Charity, founded 1550, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1878; Dixon's Charity, founded 1574, Scheme in Chancery 1875; Evans's Charity, founded 1576, and other Charities, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Heather's Charity, founded 1801, Scheme in Chancery 1841; Heron's Charity, founded 1580, Scheme in Chancery 1876; Holbie's Charity, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1880; Lambe's Charity, founded 1580, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Lese's Charity, founded 1634, Scheme in Chancery 1875; Lute's Charity, founded 1585, Schemes of Charity Commissioners 1877 and 1880; Middlemore's Charities, founded 1618, 1647, Schemes of Charity Commissioners 1877 and 1878; Ormston's Charity, founded 1556, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Packington's Charity, founded 1559, Scheme in Chancery 1827; Roger's Charity, founded 1551, Scheme in Chancery 1875; West's Charities, founded 1688–1724, Schemes in Chancery and of Charity Commissioners 1875; Sundry Charities, founded 1513-1634, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1878. (11) Armourers' and Braziers' Company, Bennett's Charity, founded 1595, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1878; Morry's Charity, founded 1551, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1878. (12) Cooks' Company, Davis and Phillips' Charities, founded 1708, 1674, Scheme in Chancery 1839. (13) Coopers' Company, Cloker's Charity, founded 1573, Scheme in Chancery 1844. (14) Feltmakers' Company, Machan's Charity, founded 1692, Scheme in Chancery 1838. (15) Girdlers' Company, Palyn's Charity, founded 1609, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1870; Nevitt's Charity, founded 1633, Scheme in Chancery 1833. (16) Glaziers' Company, Volletts' and Knight's Charities, founded 1724, 1729, Scheme in Chancery 1878. (17) Leathersellers' Company, Ferbras' Charity, founded 1470, Scheme in Chancery 1836; Sundry Charities, founded 1594–1616, Scheme in Chancery 1835; Humble's Charity, founded 1638, Scheme in Chancery 1836; Grasvenor's Charity, founded 1555, Scheme in Chancery 1855; Rogers' Charity, founded 1601, Scheme in Chancery 1846; Elliot's Charity, founded 1605, Scheme in Chancery 1846. (18) Saddler's Company, Hill's Charity, founded 1645, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1877; Cox's and Pease's Charities, founded 1658, 1682, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1876; Banner's Charity, founded 1698, Scheme in Chancery 1840; Ewer's Charity, founded 1765, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1871; Gunton's Charity, founded in 1768, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1878; Honnor's Charity, founded in 1769, Scheme in Chancery 1855. (19) Stationers' Company, Bishop's Charity, founded 1700, and other charities, Scheme in Charity 1858. (20) Tallow Chandlers' Company, Monk's Charity, founded 1828, Scheme of Charity Commissioners 1870 (21) Wax Chandlers' Company, Kendall's Charity, Scheme in Chancery 1872.
  • 122. All the halls have been several times rebuilt. During the ten years over which our inquiry has extended, several of them have been rebuilt or restored.
  • 123. The Companies having halls are the Mercers', Grocers', Drapers', Fishmongers', Goldsmiths', Skinners', Merchant Taylors', Salters', Haberdasher's, Vintners', Clothworkers', Apothecaries', Armourers', Bakers', Barbers', Brewers', Butchers', Carpenters', Coachmakers', Coopers', Cordwainers', Curriers', Cutlers', Dyers', Founders', Girdlers', Ianholders', Leathersellers', Painters', Saddlers', Stationers', Tallow Chandlers', and Waxchandlers' Companies.
  • 124. Many of the wills of the founders of the charities administered by the Companies contain provisions for the annual payment of small sums to the wardens, clerks, and beadles of the Companies, sometimes with, sometimes without specific reference to their duties in connection with the administration of the trusts.
  • 125. In our calculation we have not included a considerable sum which is annually contributed for the purpose of entertainments by members of some of the minor Companies out of their own pockets. There are some, but not many, bequests expressly referring to banquets. But, however, for the intervention of the State at the Reformation, there would have been many such bequests to be administered, for most of the wills which provide for masses for the dead provide also for entertainments which are to follow the religious ceremony.
  • 126. On the subject of these institutions we have consulted Your Majesty's Commissioners on Technical Education, from whom we have received the following report:— Royal Commission on Technical Education, South Kensington Museum, London, S.W., June 12, 1883. Sir, I am now able to state, in further reply to your letter of the 6th July 1882, for the information of the City of London Livery Companies' Commission, that. inasmuch as the duty of the Royal Commissioners is to report to Her Majesty on the questions submitted to them, it is out of their power to advise you in their official capacity on the subject of the proposed scheme of the "City and Guilds of London Institute" for the promotion of technical education. I am, however, empowered by the Chairman (Mr. Samuelson) to state his personal opinion, in which his colleagues, as individuals, generally concur, as follows:— "The 'City and Guilds of London Institute for the Advancement of Technical Education' has established second grade schools for technical instruction in science and art in the metropolis. "It grants subventions to similar schools in the provinces. "It examines candidates in technology, and it encourages technical instruction by means of grants to teachers on the results of the examinations. "It is erecting a central institution at South Kensington for technical instruction of a higher grade than that of the second grade technical schools, and for training teachers of technology. "I am informed that the probable annual expenditure for these undertakings, including only such moderate extension as will almost immediately necessarily occur, cannot be less than the following:—
    £
    (1.) For the existing London Second Grade Technical Schools 11,000
    (2.) For subventions to Local Schools 5,000
    (3.) For grants to teachers on results of examinations 5,000
    (4.) For the Central Institution 15,000
    (5.) For administration, &c. 3,500
    £39,500
    "I believe that if the work undertaken is to be effectually performed these estimates are very moderate, and more likely than otherwise to be exceeded. I found this opinion partly on the cost of analogous work abroad. But the field for this work, more especially for the establishment of secondary technical schools in the metropolis, and for aid to similar schools in various industrial centres, is so extensive that, if the City of London Institute is to continue the work which it has begun, a very considerable addition to the above sum will be necessary within the next few years, and I do not think that it is at all unreasonable to estimate the increased funds required for this extension at about 20,000l. "I am of opinion that the scheme of the Institute is well considered, and that the whole of the work is such as may be undertaken with advantage to the industrial classes. (1.) London is not only a great commercial city, but the centre of most important manufactures and handicrafts. Technical schools of applied science and art, like those of Finsbury and South Lambeth, and especially the evening classes of those schools, are intended to afford instruction of a kind adapted to the needs of the vast numbers employed in occupations of this kind. (2.) The stimulus given to similar provincial schools by subventions is undoubted, and I regard this as one of the most useful departments of the Institute's operations. (3.) The utility of the examinations of candidates in technology will increase with the supply of competent technological teachers, for the training of whom the Central Institution is in part intended. That utility will also increase in proportion to the better instruction of the students in elementary subjects, including elementary science, to which we may reasonably look forward. The rule which limits the grants to the results of examination of such persons only as are actually employed as workmen or otherwise in the industries which form the subjects of examination is a good one. "Besides training teachers of technology, the Central Institution is intended to fulfil in this country the purposes of the great Continental technical schools, like the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures of Paris and the Polytechnicum of Zurich, namely, to give the highest instruction in science in its applications to arts and manufactures. In order that this important work may be effectively carried out, the staff of teachers and the laboratories should not be stinted for want of adequate funds. "It is essential to the success of these undertakings that regard should be paid to the peculiar conditions of industrial life in this country, and I believe that this is fully understood by those in whose hands the affairs of the City and Guilds of London Institute have been placed. "(Signed) B. Samuelson." I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, (Signed) GILBERT R. REDGRAVE, Secretary. The Secretary, City of London Livery Companies' Commission, 2, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.
  • 127. The most remarkable of these exhibitions has been the Fisheries Exhibition held in 1883, which was largely assisted by the Fishmongers' Company. The Fanmakers', Horners', Turners', and Shipwrights' Companies have also held exhibitions. The Goldsmiths' Company have contributed to trade benefit societies, and other Companies, particularly the Bakers', Cooks', Coachmakers', Farriers', Founders', Fruiterers', and Needlemakers' Companies, have offered prizes for proficiency in technical subjects. A "Sanitary Exhibition" is to take place in 1884, and it is understood that this object is being assisted by the Companies.
  • 128. See Commission, first clause.
  • 129. See list supra. Many of the suits in Chancery there enumerated were begun at the instance of the Companies. These were generally applications for cy-près schemes. In the proceedings taken by the Attorney-General against the Companies for alleged breaches of trust, the Companies have, in a large majority of instances successfully resisted the informations. See the returns and the reports of the Inspectors of Charities.
  • 130. See the letters patent of Edward VI. and the Private Act 4 Jas. I. Kneseworth's case, 2 Beav., 151.
  • 131. See, per Lord Cottenham, Attorney-General v. Fishmongers' Company, 2 Beav., 588.
  • 132. See supra, page 16.
  • 133. See e.g., Mr. Hare's Report on the Preston bequest (1434), administered by the Fishmongers' Company.
  • 134. See on this subject the returns of the Mercers' and Grocers' Companies. The sums levied by the Plantagenet, Tudor, and Stuart sovereigns appear to have been raised in the same manner; and also the loans to the municipality for providing corn and coals for the poor. (See supra, p. 17.)
  • 135. The litigation in respect of Betton's Charity, founded 1723, and administered by the Ironmongers' Company, lasted from 1829 to 1845, and is stated by Mr. Hare to have cost upwards of 10,000l. The scheme settled at this cost has been recently the subject of a petition to Parliament by the London School Board. In another instance a Company is to this day occupied, under a scheme framed in Chancery, in advertising for legatees bearing the same Christian name and surname as an eccentric benefactor.