History of the Company of Paviours. By Charles Welch. (Printed
for the Company.)—The Paviours were incorporated in 1479, by which time the business of paving the City was seriously regarded. In early days paving was a rare luxury; so we have the Pavement in Cheapside. The Wardens had plenty to do, for they had to superintend the work. They had to do other things, to see after keeping a store of wheat, for instance, as a provision against possible famine. Prices were fixed in 1593; an order was made that no one should contract for paving work under 24d. per yard. One great occupation was keeping out " foreigners,"— i.e., traders not belonging to the Company. Every paviour had to be apprenticed, and this cost money. In 1611 20s. was paid for a fee. And the number of apprentices was limited. No freeman could have one till he was of five years' standing Then we find the goldsmiths poaching on the paviours' pre- serve. Further on we have paviours pursuing other occupations. Then the Company began to admit wholesale members who had nothing to do with the trade. Between 1773 and 1801 there were three hundred and twelve admissions by payment, of whom three only were paviours. A period of decay followed, and the revival is of recent date. The Company has never been wealthy.
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