town-clerk, the corporation now consists. In 1683 this charter was surrendered, and a new one issued, dated 20th September, 35 Car. II, appointing only forty burgesses, and reserving to the crown a power of placing or displacing the members at pleasure; but this surrender being never enrolled, the new charter, in the opinion of Sir Edward Northey, the Attorney General, was conceived to be void; and the corporation continued to act by virtue of their former one. On the 2d of April, 1796, the present charter was obtained. It was brought from London by the mayor, Mr. Thomas Hall, who, with the bailiffs, Mr. G. Osborn and Mr. S. Holt, and other members of the corporation, were met at the entrance of the town by the principal part of the inhabitants, and conducted with great ceremony to the town-hall, amidst the congratulations of the townspeople, on the re-establishment of their former privileges.

Those who have served the office of mayor åre called Aldermen. The mayor for the time being, the mayor for the preceding year, together with three of the aldermen who are to be chosen annually, act as justices of the peace within the town for that year. The recorder and town-clerk are usually continued for life, but are re-chosen every year, and at their first appointment must be

approved by the king. The mayor, and recorder, or his deputy, and one other of the justices are necessary to make a sessions; in criminal causes they have power to try all offenders, but generally confine their jurisdiction to petty larcenys. Once in three weeks, or oftener, the mayor and bailiffs hold a court of record, in which an action may be pleaded without limitation for any sum. All fines imposed on burgesses before the judges of assize and justices of the county, and all goods and chattels of felons found within the town, and forfeitures of recognizances taken before the mayor are applied to the use of the corporation. The mayor and bailiffs are elected on some day between the first and eleventh of August, and are sworn into their offices upon Michaelmas-day; the chamberlain is annually chosen by the mayor and aldermen. All assemblies for public business are held in the Guildhall of the town.

Northampton, as a borough, returns two members to parliament; and is one of the earliest boroughs which enjoyed that honour. In the parliament which was held at Acton-Burnel, in the twelfth year of Edward I, it was one of the nineteen trading towns which sent two representatives to attend the mecting. The same number has attended the parlin

1

ments since that period. The electors are every inhabitant who has been a housekeeper six months, paying scot and lot. The writ is directed to the mayor and bailiffs, who are the returning officers.The present members are the Right Hon. Earl Compton, of Castle-Ashby, and William Hanbury, Esq. of Kelmarsh.

Northampton, from about the time of the conquest, has given title to an earldom; but in the 1812 the present earl was created a marquis.

year

There are ten fairs kept here in the year, viz. upon the 20th of February; the 5th of April; the 4th of May; the 19th of June; the 5th and 26th of August; the 19th of September, for cheese; the first Thursday in November, toll-free; the 28th of November; and the 19th of December.-The weekly market on Saturday.

Within the walls of Northampton were formerly seven parish churches, viz. All Saints, St. Giles's, St. Gregory's, St. Mary's, St. Michael's, St. Peter's, and Sepulchre's. There were besides these in the town, St. Catherine's, a chapel of ease to All Saints; St. Edmund's church, without the east gate; and St. Bartholomew's, without the north gate: but the only four remaning at the present time are All Saints, St. Giles's, St. Peter's, and Sepulchre's,

The church dedicated to All Saints, is situate about the middle of the town; it was begun to be re-built after the fire of 1675, in the reign of King Charles II, and completed in the reign of Queen Aune. It consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. In the midst is a cupola, likewise covered with lead, and supported within by pillars of the Ionic order. The cupola is supposed to have been built from a model of that of the Pantheon at Rome. At the west end is a square tower, which fortunately escaped the fire, in which are eight bells, and on the top of the tower is a small turrit. In 1809 the corporation gave a set of new chimes to this church, which were executed in such a manner as to reflect great credit on the maker, Mr. Briant, of Hertford.

The church is divided from the chancel by a neat screen of Norway oak. The roof is supported by four arches, and adorned with frettwork. On the north side is a gallery, built in the year 1714: the pulpit is of most admirable workmanship, finely carved with wreaths of flowers and other ornaments. Round the top are eight large eagles, fastened by rings, which they appear to be eagerly biting; this is well executed, and has a very striking effect. At the west end of the

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church is a large elegant organ, lately built. The walls of the chancel are lined with Norway oak, and the seats made of the same. Near the altar are two fine paintings of Moses and Aaron. Aaron is superbly habited in the dress of the High Priest, having a censer in his left hand, and his right stretched out to receive the law from Moses. They are supposed to have been executed by Sir Godfrey Kneller. In the body of the church, opposite to the pulpit, is a large pew for the mayor and aldermen. Over the mayor's seat are the town arms, and under them the following inscription: ANNO MAJORATUS 11o. RICARDI WHITE, ANNO DOM. 1680. Round the font, which is of white marble, and placed upon a stone pedestal, is as follows: Donum Thomæ Willoughby Armigeri Ecclesiæ Omnium Sanctorum Northon. Without side the church at the west end is a fine lofty portico, four and twenty feet in length, supported by twelve pillars of the Ionic order, and ballustraded at the top. Along the ballustrade are a number of urns; and in the middle of which is a statue of King Charles II. standing on a pedestal, with this inscription under it, Under this are the

CAROLVS II

ds

REX MDCXCII.

arms of England, with the following inscription on

the freeze below: This statue was erected in memory