OF THE MIDDLE AGES. 51 



of London, and lie was again elected Mayor, October 13th, 1419, Tth 

 Henry V. A modem MS. memoir of "VMiittington in possession of 

 the Mercers' Company says, " The company attended the cavalcade of 

 Whittington, chosen Mayor for the fourth time," -with eight new 

 banners, eight trumpeters, four pipers, seven nakerers," and furnished 

 eight minstrels for the cavalcade of J. Butler, chosen Sheriff." Not- 

 withstanding this note, it is questionable whether "^'hittington was 

 Lord Mayor more than three times. Those authors who have so 

 stated have probably en-oneously included his shrievalty, or they have 

 reckoned, as one of his mayoralties, the portion of the year in which 

 he was appointed by King Richard II. to fill up the vacancy caused 

 by the death of Adam Baunne. In that sense it is true that he was 

 Lord Mayor four times. His last attendances which are recorded at 

 City meetings were in September, and October, 1422, at the election 

 of the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor. The following spring brought 

 him to his grave. But, before we touch upon this, let us look at some 

 of those acts by which he has gained a right to a high place in his 

 country's biography; a place far beyond that to which his acquisition 

 of wealth in such an extraordinary manner as that attributed to him, 

 or, indeed, the acquisition of wealth alone, acquired by whatever amount 

 of ability or perseverance, would have entitled him. Difficult as it may 

 be to acquire a fortune, that difficulty comparatively ceases when the 

 first step is over; wealth, by judicious management, engenders wealth, 

 as we see in the case of "Whittington. The greater difficulty, in a 

 social point of view, is to know how to use the fortune when acquii'ed, 

 and here it is that our hero shines as such a brilliant example. 



V Malcolm, Londin. Eediviv., vol. 4. p. 314, says/owr times. 

 w Nacaires, an instrument of music which, though often mentioned by the old 

 poets, both of France and England, it is not certain whether it was an instrument 

 of percussion or a wind instriunent. In the JRomau d' Alexandre it is said — 

 " Chascim a parte tronipe ou vielle atempre'e, 

 Kacaires ct tabars de grande renomme'e." 



Du Cange describes Kaeara to be a kind of brazen dnun used in cavalry, yet 



Chaucer names it in company with wind instruments : — 



" Pipes, tromps, nakcres, and clarioimes. 

 That in the bataille blowen blody sounes." 



Rccs' CyclopcEdxa. (Nacaires.) 



