time about some special business, and with a smaller number of persons than the general, as perhaps but two or three of each Town. The usual times for the general Brotherhood were formerly two in every year, viz. the Tuesday after the close of Easter (when was heard the Report of the Bailiffs at Yarmouth , the fishing season last before). And the Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Margaret, (where the Bailiffs elect to be at Yarmouth the next Herring Season after were approved.) Afterwards, both the Reports of the one and Approbation of the other, were found to be as con veniently done at the latter Brotherhood, and so this grew to be the only Brotherhood held in the year. At the end of which Brotherhood is the general Guestling to begin, when one is summoned to be holden. The number of persons to appear at these general Courts, were of every Corporation of the Ports and two Towns in the Brotherhood , seven ; viz. the Head -Officer, whether Mayor, Bailiff, or else his Deputy in his stead, three of the Jurats, (among which commonly the last and next Bailiff to Yarmouth of the Towns happening to send were part) and three Commoners or Freemen, (of whom usually the Town Clerk and Cham berlain were two), and the like number of persons of every of the Corporate Members, were to appear and sit with them in the general Guestling. But afterward, by decree of each Court, the number was reduced to five, viz. the Mayor, or Bailiff, two Jurats, and two Commoners. In both these Courts, the Head Officer, or his deputy of one of the Cinque Ports, or two ancient Towns, sits as chief, and is called, in speeches addressed to him, Mr. Speaker ; on each side of him next the other Mayors and Bailiffs, then the Bailiffs to Yarmouth, and below them the other Jurats, the Clerks in their places about a table, and the other Freemen below the Jurats.
" The Speakership goes orderly through the Cinque Ports and two ancient Towns, and continues a year in each Town. It begins at Hastings, goeth to Winchelsea, so to Rye, then to Romney, &c.; and after that Sandwich hath been Speaker a year, it returns to Hastings again. The -
