134 History of the Company. 



The Company made no attempt to conceal 

 their satisfaction at the distinction conferred upon 

 them by the Prince, and the expression of their 

 loyalty took various forms. The January Quarter 

 Court was transferred from the 25th to the 20th, 

 being the Prince's birthday, while the Audit Day 

 was altered to the 19th of November, being the 

 birthday of the Princess. 



In July of the following year the Prince, having 

 previously given his consent, was 

 ^^^^' elected Perpetual Master of the Com- 

 pany, and the title of Prime Warden was adopted 

 by the Acting Master. At the same time, a 

 Banner was ordered to be made for the Company 

 with the Prince's arms. 



On 4th June, 1738, the Princess having given 

 birth to a Prince (George William 

 ^ ^ ' Frederick, afterwards George III.), 

 the opportunity suggested Itself, both to the City 

 and to the Company, as a fitting occasion to pay 

 their respects. At a Court on the 24th June, the 

 Company were informed by Sir William Irby, 

 Chamberlain to the Princess, that the Prince had 

 appointed " Monday, the 27th Inst., to receive the 

 compliments of ye City, and Wednesday, the 

 28th, for the Company's." Accordingly, on the 

 day named, the Court assembled at 10 a.m., and 

 proceeded to Norfolk House to congratulate their 

 Royal Highnesses, ''when the Clerk, In the name 

 of the Company, addressed them in the words 

 following : — 



