3/8 The Lord Mayor s Journey to Oxford. 



which could be expected to continue. New seras and emergencies give 

 birth to new spirits, and to new exertions. And, accordingly 



" Early in the present year (1826) it was proposed to the Lord Mayor, by some 

 of the Aldermen, and others connected with the navigation of the river Thames, 

 to consider the propriety of again asserting the civic prerogative over that part of 

 the river, at the city stone, nearStaines, in the course of the summer. It was also 

 proposed to connect with the excursion a visit to Oxford." 



The inception of great undertakings, however, is necessarily gradual. 

 The proposed expedition is not resolved upon at once. Doubts, in fact, 

 might fairly be looked for in the shape of objections to " the length of the 

 way." A home thrust put by the town clerk would be, as to " who 

 knew the road ?" Two 4< holes in the bottom of the city barge," might be 

 mentioned perhaps that would be answered " they might be stopped." 

 But, in the end, after a great deal of question and discussion " Whether 

 the ox-tail soup would be good at Oxford, or whether a supply ought to 

 be sent down from London ?" by Mr. Alderman Birch ' What would 

 be the cost of the lock and turnpike tolls on the way ;" and whether 

 the party would have to pay them or " be entitled to pass free ?" by Sir 

 Claudius Stephen Hunter A word or two upon " the danger of FIUK 

 in Mansion-houses left to themselves," from Mr. Alderman Atkins And 

 a doubt, especial (on the part of the author in person probably) as to 

 " what would become of the City of London if its natural sovereign 

 were absent from it?"- For 



" As tender wives their husbands' absence mourn, 

 And with impatience wait their safe return ; 

 So widowed " wards" with equal tears should grieve, 

 When Lord Mayors, like our own, their London leave" 



we find the party separating abruptly, without any thing having been 

 resolved upon ! The thing however is to be. Conversation on the 

 subject is resumed' > 



" On midsummer-day, in the chamber of the Guildhall, whither the Lord Mayor, 

 after having opened a Common Hall, had retired with the Aldermen, to allow the 

 Livery of London, there assembled, the free and unbiassed exercise of one of their 

 undoubted rights the election of sheriffs of London and Middlesex, for the ensuing 

 year." 



And on this occasion 



" The last week in July was ultimately and unanimously fixed for the ex- 

 cursion." 



The " plan" originally designed by the Lord Mayor 



" Was, to invite the heads of houses, and such other distinguished members of 

 the University, as might be in residence at the time (for it was foreseen that this 

 visit would fall in the long vacation) together with the Mayor and Magistrates ot 

 the city, to honour his Lordship and friends with their company at dinner, m 

 Oxford, on Wednesday, the 26th of July ; to leave Oxford on the morning o 

 27th, and so to arrive in London on the Saturday evening following." 



But this arrangement is frustrated by a premature and unexpected dis- 

 closure. " Pitchers," the proverb says, " have ears." And, as Mr 

 Dillon most justly observes in this part of his work many things woi 

 be highly extraordinary if they did not happen every day. 



"If it were not notorious how soon the rumour of any measure is propagated, 

 even before it is fully matured, it would be almost im-rcdible that this excursion 

 should have scarcely been determined upoa in London, before it was^fcno - 

 Oxford." 



