2 AUGUST 1879, Page 24

Index to Municipal OgIces. By G. Lawrence Gommo. (Published for

the Index Society, by Messrs. Longman and Co.)—Mr. Gomme has drawn up this index from the Appendices to the First Report of the Municipal Committee of 1836. It is an interesting account of survivals from past times, some of them very curious and quaint. In 1836, six towns (Bristol, Chester, Leeds, Nottingham, Lincoln, and York) had "minstrels." But there are more curious officer than these. Bucket-keepers at Bedford (a sort of lire-brigade), Blue-caps at Clitheroe, Saud-walkers at Southampton, and the Egg-collectors at Nowcestle-on-Tyne (where the Mayor seems to have a perquisite of eggs), may be mentioned among them. Oxford was gallant enough

to provide a serjeaut for the Mayoress. We may expect the materials for an interesting supplement to this book, iu the forth- coming Report of the Commissioners who have been inquiring into the unreformed Corporations.