"Pardon me, Will, but I've just heard as how you've been asked to dine at the Mansion House with all the other mayors. And I thought I'd like to offer to lend you my ole dress suit. I couldn't abear the thought of our Mayor not looking as good as the other blokes. 'Tain't much to speak of, Will"--unfolding the parcel--"but perhaps your missus can touch it up a bit." Crooks did not go to the City banquet on that occasion. It was not until three years later that, on the invitation of Lord Mayor Pounds, he attended the Ninth of November banquet at the Guildhall. Then he turned up in his blue serge suit, which, in a way, made him one of the most conspicuous figures present, since all the other guests were in Court dress, uniform, or ordinary evening dress. A crowded company in the reception room broke out into rounds of applause when the Labour man in his plain attire walked down the room after being announced. He was received in the most cordial way by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. He had an amusing experience in connection with a State service at St. Paul's, to which he was invited as Mayor of Poplar. "I took train to the City, and was walking towards the Cathedral when a cabman from my own district accosted me. "'I say, Mr. Crooks, let me give you a lift up to the Cathedral, so that I can get a chance to see what's going.' "'All right,' said I; and I got into his cab, and was driven up with as much dignity as the cab and horse could command. "The cabman then rode away and took up his position in waiting. The service over, all the titled people crowded out, and there was an eager demand for carriages. A stout policeman at the door called out the names. "'The Duke of ----'s carriage.' 'The Mayor of Westminster's carriage.' 'Lady ----'s carriage.' And so on, as each swell conveyance rolled up. Then, when the policeman learnt who I was, he yelled, 'The Mayor of Poplar's carriage.' "Up drove my cabby with his growler. "'Take that thing away!' shouted the policeman. 'Make room for the Mayor of Poplar's carriage.' "'Who yer getting at?' said cabby mischievously. 'This _is_ the Mayor of Poplar's carriage.' "'All right, constable,' I said, as I went down the steps; 'that's my cab.' "The policeman immediately began to apologise. Cabby said he wouldn't have missed the fun for fifty quid." At the Coronation ceremony at the Abbey, to which all the London mayors were invited, Crooks asked to be exempt from wearing Court dress. The King sent him the exemption he asked for. "I attended the Abbey in my mayoral robes, and when the ceremony was over I escaped from the crowd as quickly as I could, and was going to a house near by to take off my robes. I found myself in Dean's Yard, which was quiet and almost deserted, save for a few youngsters. "'I say, Tom, here's the King,' I heard one of them remark as I approached. "'That ain't the King,' said a second youngster; 'that's the Dook of Connort.'