_Guildhalls._--The question in Vol. i., p. 320., relative to guildhalls,
provokes an inquiry into guilds. In the erudite and instructive
work of Wilda on the _Guild System of the Middle Ages (Gildenwesen im
Mittel‰lter)_ will be found to be stated that guilds were associations
of various kinds,--convivial, religions, and mercantile, and so on; and
that places of assembly were adopted by them. A guild-house where eating
and drinking took place, was to be met with in most villages in early
times: and these, I fancy, were the guild-halls. On this head consult
Hone's _Every-day Book_, vol. ii. p. 670., and elsewhere, in connexion
with Whitsuntide holidays.