Formerly it was customary to have here at the hall, both on St. John’s, and St Michael’s days, elegant entertainments or sumptuous public dinners, given at the mayor’s expense, and often much expatiated upon by former writers; but the custom has of late been discontinued, and we are not sure that it will be ever again resumed: nor are we sure that its resumption would be at all desirable; on the contrary, it seems more probable that its utter abolition would be of far greater use to the community in general, at such a time as this, as it might serve to remind us all of the absolute necessity of retrenching and observing the utmost economy in the management of all our temporal affairs, as the only way to escape starvation and all its concomitant miseries. For all which we have to thank the vile maxims that have directed and distinguished our public affairs for these 50 years, and especially those that characterize the administration of the last Pitt and his successors. Of the present revenue of this Corporation, which is understood to be very considerable, we have not been able to ascertain the exact amount. It is one of those secrets, it seems, which the members make a point of keeping to themselves, and whose disclosure would render them liable to expulsion. It being therefore a corporation and sworn secret, we will not presume to pry any further into it. But it is very certain that several of their present sources of revenue did not at all belong to them formerly. Among which are to be reckoned the possessions of the Gilds of the _Trinity_, and _St. George_, and perhaps of some of the others; which were granted to the Corporation at the dissolution. Also the profits of the _Toll-booth_, which were originally divided between the _bishop of Norwich_, and the _Earl of Arundel_ as lord of _Rising_, comprehending what is called _Tronage_, _Measurage_, and _Lovecop_, {1155} with the _baily-ship of the Water of Wiggenhall_, &c. Of these, after passing through several hands, a _fourth_ part was vested in the prince of Wales, as Duke of Cornwall, and the other _three_ parts afterwards reverted to the crown, and were by Henry VIII. granted to the corporation, who have been in possession of them ever since. The fourth part is supposed to belong still to the duchy of Cornwall, and rented from the managers of its concerns by the mayor and burgesses.—An _admiralty_ jurisdiction within the liberties of this borough, has also been granted to this body corporate, by king James’ Charter, which will probably avail them very materially in their present dispute with lord William Bentinck.