An Historical Account of the Worshipful Society of Girdlers. By
W. Duraville Smythe, M.A. (The Chiswick Press. 7s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Smythe takes occasion to correct the error, which we Must confess to having shared, that the "gircllers" were so called from the "griddle" or gridiron, and that their business, accordingly, was to make, not girdles, but griddle-cakes. The error was caused by the arms of the Company, in which, by a common transposition, " girdle " is changed into " gridle," the device being the gridiron on which St. Lawrence suffered. The truth is that the gircllers Made girdles and such kindred articles as garters. Much curious information has been collected in this volume. So we read in it an example of mediaeval Trade-Unionism,—how certain girdlers were prosecuted for using gold and silver, material which only goldsmiths could lawfully use. This was in A.D. 1326. The same influences, on another side of the business, come into play when an artisan girdler accused the Court of employing f,‘, foreigners and maids." Not long after the Court retaliated by accusing the artisans of "using turned harness contrary to the ordinances of the Company." "Meantime, whilst the Company were quarrelling among themselves, the trade was slipping from their hands." Altogether, it is a very pretty parable. A more pleasant subject is the Company's feasting. At an entertainment in 1698, to leave out garnishing and vegetables, &c., two hams, tWo venison pasties, two haunches and a neck of venison, sixteen chickens, and a leg of mutton were provided for sixty-four people, with one hundred and forty-four bottles of wine (Port, Madeira, Lisbon, and Montano). The book will well repay reading.
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