12 



Guide to Belfast. 



Belfast has often been compared to an American city for 

 its push and appearance. Friction sometimes does arise 

 between sections of the rougher elements, as in other places. 

 Let us charitably suppose that this may be only an indica- 

 tion of superabundant energy, which, with the spread of 

 education and refinement, will by-and-by tone down into 

 mutual esteem and good-will. 



o 



CHARTERS, INSIGNIA, &c. 



N the 27th April, 1613, Belfast, then a small town, was 

 constituted a Corporation by charter of King James I., 

 to consist of a sovereign* or chief magistrate, and 

 twelve burgessesand commonalty, 

 with the right of sending two 

 members to parliament. This 

 charter was annulled by King 

 James II , and a new one issued 

 in 1 688, but the original one was 

 restored in 1690 by William IILf 

 In conformity with the passing 

 of the Municipal Corporation 

 Act of 184 [, the constitution of 

 the Corporation was changed, 

 and made to consist of ten 

 aldermen and thirty councillors, 

 under the style and title of The 

 Mayor^ Aldermen, and Burgesses 

 The progress of the town mean- 

 while has been so great, that, in the jubilee year of her late 

 Majesty, application was made that the Borough might be 



SILVER CDKI'OKAIE SEAL OF THE 

 BOROUGH OF BELFAST, 1613. 



of the Bot oH'^h of Belfast. 



* The word ' ' sovereign " is now generally understood to be synon3^mous 

 with "monarch." The original meaning, however, was not so restricted. 

 The modern spelling is due to a false connection with reign. Milton writes 

 "SOVRAN." The word comes from the Latin adjective superans — pre- 

 vailing. 



t This charter continued from 1613 to 1841 (over two centuries and a 

 quarter), during which time the office of Sovereign was occupied by lao 

 gentlemen. 



