58 
NATURE NOTES 
stocks were erected in the Company’s hall, where offending members sat “ in 
sight of the whole assembly.” A vintner, named John Penrose, convicted of 
selling unsound wines, in addition to being imprisoned, had to drink some of his 
own bad liquor, while the rest was poured over him. On the other side, under 
their supervisory powers, the vintners had power to sample wines, and on these 
being found defective and not good enough for sauce or vinegar they were poured 
into the “ canell in Cheapside.” 
It must have been hard work for the City Companies to satisfy the rapacity of 
monarchs. At one time the king appeared able to lake pretty much what wine he 
wanted, and at another time the Guild’s plate had to be realised to meet the 
royal demands. Monarchs “borrowed” and the city “lent” in a sense that 
now would be quite unacceptable. Charles I. levied ;^6o,ooo, and of this the 
vintners had to find ;^3,I20, besides contributing another ;^6,OO0 not long after- 
wards in return for some trade privileges. 
It is remarkable how history repeats itself, for in Elizabeth’s reign the 
Court of Aldermen considered what steps should be taken to diminish the great 
number of taverns, and though more than three centuries have gone by, the 
problem still confronts us. 
Along with the dyers and the Crown the vintners have long enjoyed the right of 
keeping swans on the Thames. Towards the end of July takes place what is 
known as “swan upping.” The royal swankeeper and representatives of the 
two Companies proceed up the river and mark the cygnets with nicks on the bill. 
Of late years the vintners have introduced black swans, which are said to be doing 
well. 
Erected just after the great fire. Vintners’ Hall is spacious, comfortable and 
well proportioned. Tradition ascribes its design to Wren, as it does the hand- 
some carving in the hall and court- room to Gibbons, but unfortunately there is no 
documentary evidence to support the tradition. The Company has a superb 
collection of charters, which are well displayed on the walls. Notable, too, are 
a piece of tapestry dating from 1466, and the vintners’ funeral pall, the latter, 
according to Mr. Philip Norman, F.S.A., being a very fine specimen. 
After the inspection of the premises and muniments, the Selbornians were 
hospitably entertained to tea in the court-room. Mr. R. Marshman Wattson and 
Mr. H. Plowman, F.S.A., took part in the complimentary proceedings which 
followed. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Birmingham and Midland. — The Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, 
January 31, in the Council IIou.se, Birmingham, Sir Hallewell Rogers, President 
of the Branch, in the chair. There was a large attendance. The Honorary 
Secretary read the Committee’s Report, in which it was stated that during the 
past year the objects of the Society had been furthered by means of lectures, the 
distribution of notices on the Preservation of Birds and Plants, and in various 
other ways. The financial statement was very satisfactory, there being a balance 
o( ;^t9, which will enable the Committee to arrange for the giving of more lectures, 
which they consider is one of the most effective methods of extending the objects 
of the Society. 
At the close of the bu.siness proceedings Professor Hillhouse proposed a 
resolution “ for the Preservation of the Warley Woods.” This was seconded by 
Mr. Arthur T. Parkes, an intere.sting discussion on the subject followed, and 
ultimately a committee was formed, to endeavour to carry out the scheme. 
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham has consented to be President of the Branch 
(luting the ensuing year. 
Hampstead. February 6. -To a good attendance of members, at the 
Subscription Library, Mr. VVilliam Whitaker, B.A., F.R..S. (Vice-President of 
the Selborne Society), delivered his promised geological lecture, entitled, “ The 
Hammerer and the Camera.” Mr. Whitaker at the outset humorously alluded 
to the now ubiquitous camera. There had been Stone and Iron Ages, while 
the pre.sent might be termed the Photographic Age, so thoroughly did photo- 
graphy seem to pervade everything. The slides he had to show were the result 
