PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM ROPER, SON-IN-LAW AND BIOGRAPHER OF SIR THOMAS MORE, BENEFACTOR OF THE CLERKS' COMPANY 110 THE GRANT OF ARMS TO THE COMPANY OF PARISH CLERKS 111 STAINED GLASS WINDOW AT THE HALL OF THE PARISH CLERKS' COMPANY, SHOWING PORTRAITS OF JOHN CLARKE AND STEPHEN PENCKHURST 112 A PAGE OF THE BEDE ROLL OF THE PARISH CLERKS' COMPANY. 114 THE ORGAN AT THE PARISH CLERKS' HALL 121 A PAGE OF AN EARLY BILL OF MORTALITY PRESERVED AT THE HALL OF THE PARISH CLERKS' COMPANY 122 INTERIOR OF THE HALL OF THE PARISH CLERKS' COMPANY 126 PORTRAIT OF JOHN CLARKE, PARISH CLERK OF THE CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL, CORNHILL 128 OLD MAP OF CLERKENWELL 130 A MYSTERY PLAY AT CHESTER 132 _From a print after a painting by T. Uwins_ THE DESCENT INTO HELL 136 _From William Hone's "Ancient Mysteries_" THE SLEEPING CONGREGATION. By W. Hogarth 182 _From an engraving at the British Museum_ THE CLERK ATTENDING THE PRIEST AT HOLY BAPTISM 196 _By permission of the S.P.C.K._ THE DUTIES OF A CLERK AT A DEATH AND FUNERAL 198 _By permission of the S.P.C.K._ THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. By W. P. Frith 199 _From a photograph by Messrs. W.A. Mansell and Co_. PORTRAIT OF RICHARD HUST, THE RESTORER OF THE CLERKS' ALMSHOUSES 200 THE CHURCH OF ST. MARGARET, WESTMINSTER 210 _After an engraving from a photograph by Messrs. W.A. Mansell and Co_. WILLIAM HINTON, A WILTSHIRE WORTHY. Drawn by the Rev. Julian Charles Young 239 _By permission of Messrs. Macmillan and Co_. SUNDAY MORNING. By John Absolon 270 _From a photograph by Messrs. W.A. Mansell and Co_. THE PARISH CLERK OF QUEDGELEY 280 _By permission of Miss Isabel Barnett_ JAMES CARNE, PARISH CLERK OF ST. COLUMB MINOR, CORNWALL, THE OLDEST LIVING CLERK 320 _From a photograph by Mr. R.P. Griffith, Newquay_ PREFACE