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5. THe other Traders in London are divided in∣to Companies or Corporations; who are as so many Bodies Politique. Of these there are Twelve called the Chief Companies, and he that is chosen Lord Mayor, must be free of one of these Companies, which are
1. Mercers, 2. Grocers, 3. Drapers, 4. Fishmen∣gers. 5. Goldsmiths, 6. Skinners, 7. Merchant-Tay∣lors, 8. Haberdashers, 9. Salters, 10. Ironmongers, 11. Vintners, 12 Clothworkers.
And if it happen that the Lord Mayor Elect, is of any other Company, he presently removes to one of the Twelve. All these Companies have Assem∣bly-places, called Halls, which are so many Basilikes, or stately and sumptuous Palaces, worthy to be view'd by all Strangers. It hath been the Custom of our Kings to honour some of these Companies by taking their Freedom thereof; and the present King was pleased to be made Free of the Company of Grocers, and the present Prince of Orange was not long ago made free of the Company of Drapers.
Each Company or Mystery hath a Master annually chosen, from among themselves, and other subor∣dinate Governours called Wardens, or Assistants. These do exactly correspond with the general Go∣vernment of the City, by a Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Councel; who are selected out of these several Companies, so excellent a harmony there is in this Government.