The Groom Porters are dressed in black gowns, and stand on each side of the entrance to the Guild-hall, in order to keep all undue and improper persons from making entrance within the hall. When the mayor and his retinue are arrived at the Moot-hall, the two flags, consisting of the royal arms of England, and the coat armour of the town, are taken and hung out of the highest window of the Guild-hall. The guild mayor, with his retinue, enters the hall, passing by the groom porter attired in his black gown, and his black staff of office in his hand, who keeps undue and improper persons from making their entrance at this time. They are then conducted into the dining-room, by the comptroller and the usher, each robed, with their staves of office; when they are arrived they give a low obeisance, and so return, performing this alternately to all, welcoming them upon this grand solemnity. Biscuit and wine is generally served before dinner; whilst the dinner is going on, a band of music is kept in full play, for the more nobly entertaining the guests. The carrying of the various meats on the first day of the guild is, according to ancient rule, for the first course, performed by the twelve aldermen, or benchers, who present the dishes to the serving-men, who place them in due order upon the table. After this the guild mayor, with his master of the ceremonies, proceed immediately to usher into the dining-room the various nobility and gentry assembled upon the occasion, and when every one is placed in due precedency, the chaplain of the guild mayor imploreth the blessing of the Almighty upon these gifts so liberally bestowed on them; after which the grand carver attends at table, with all courtesy, in order to supply the guests there assembled. After the different courses are served, and the appetites of the guests perfectly satisfied, healths are enthusiastically drank to the king and royal family of Great Britain, together with many lords and gentlemen, the guild mayor and his retinue, with three times three. When three o'clock in the afternoon is come, notice is duly given to the wardens belonging to the various companies of trades, with their respective members, to attend again in their equipage, after having dined together at their respective rendezvous. Each company invariably have presents sent to them by the guild mayor and his retinue, such as venison pasty, together with wine and sack, in bottles. The first entrance of the Mayor into the Guild-hall. The worshipful the guild mayor, with all his retinue, attired in their respective robes of office, with their staves in their hands, enter the Town-hall, where the sergeant makes proclamation beginning with o'yes, reiterated three distinct times. The Proclamation. "Whereas Charles the 2nd, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, by his royal charter, dated the 32nd year of his reign, 1651, did grant, confirm, and continue what his predecessors and progenitors, kings and queens of England, or what himself had formerly given and granted, in the 32nd year of his reign, to the mayors, bailiffs, and burgesses (or any of them, jointly or separately,) of this borough of Preston, in Amounderness, in the county of Lancaster. The borough of Preston was, and now is, a free and ancient borough, and did confirm and ratify all the ancient rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, that at any time heretofore had been granted and confirmed to the mayor, bailiffs, and capital burgesses, or to the burgesses of the borough or town of Preston aforesaid, |