OF MODERN CORPORATIONS. Ld 
allowed the imitation to be carried. Sheriffs 
whose jurisdiction extended over the county of 
Middlesex were joined to the chief magistrate, 
and in the middle of the 13th century the resem- 
blance to the council of the continental cities 
was completed by the distribution of the metro- 
polis into twenty-four wards, over each of which 
an alderman presided. A common council cor- 
responded in its composition to the larger coun- 
cil which we have described in France and 
Germany. The example of London was followed 
by the other great cities and towns, which be- 
tween the time of John and Henry III. had very 
generally purchased immunities and privileges 
from the crown. The summoning of citizens 
and burgesses to parliament in the close of the 
latter reign gave a new character and influence 
to municipal institutions, which it does not come 
within our present purpose to trace. 
