Of the persons assenting to this composition, the following were Barber-Surgeons, viz.: Rob{t.} Halyday (Master 1475, 1483, 1485, 1490, 1496), James Scott (M. 1493, 1498, 1500), James Ingoldysby (M. 1501, 1506), John Taylour (M. 1523, 1524), and Nicholas Leveryng(M. 1503, 1508), the others were most likely belonging to the Guild of Surgeons. An Ordinance by way of addenda to the above was made, imposing penalties upon any who should break any of the foregoing rules; the first offence to be punished by a fine of 10_s._, the second 20_s._, and the third offence to be remitted to the Mayor and Aldermen for punishment after their discretion. [Illustration: FAC-SIMILE OF THE TITLE-PAGE TO THE OLD BOOK OF ORDINANCES, REPRESENTING SAINTS COSMO AND DAMIAN (PATRON SAINTS OF THE BARBER-SURGEONS) AND THE COAT OF ARMS GRANTED TO THE COMPANY OF SURGEONS IN 1492. (_See p. 433._)] How long this agreement, so beneficial for the practice of Surgery, continued in force is unknown; but the probabilities are that the old jealousies soon re-appeared and that each Guild worked on its own lines until 1540, as, by the uniting Act then passed, it was specially remarked as desirable that the two Companies should come together, and be incorporated in one. 1497. We shall now present to the reader’s notice a highly important document, being a diploma granted by the Master and Wardens of the Barbers’ Company to one of their freemen, enabling him to practise as a Surgeon. This is in all probability the earliest English diploma of a Surgeon extant and cannot fail by the quaintness of its composition, and the details given, to prove of much interest. We notice in it, that our Company as usual, did not fail to rehearse its prerogatives and practice, and we also observe that thus early the Company provided an instructor and examiner in the science, Dr. John Smith, before whom came in the Common Hall, Robert Anson, and in the presence of a “great audience of many right well expert men in Surgery and others, was openly examined in divers things concerning the practice,” etc. [Illustration: FAC-SIMILE OF THE DIPLOMA GRANTED BY THE MASTER AND WARDENS OF THE BARBER-SURGEONS TO ROBERT ANSON (8 AUG., 1497), ENABLING HIM TO PRACTISE AS A SURGEON.] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE LETTˀ PAT̃E OF BˀBOURS & OF SURGEOS BˀBORS.