I wish to ask, of any of your numerous readers, what may be considered
the most proper official prefix for Mayors, whether Right Worshipful
or Worshipful? Opinions, I find, differ upon the subject. In the
_Secretary's Guide_, 5th ed. p. 95. it is said that Mayors are Right
Worshipful; the late Mr. Beltz, _Lancaster Herald_, was of opinion
that they were Worshipful only; and Mr. Dod, the author of a work on
Precedence, &c., in answer to an inquiry on the point, thought that
Mayors of _cities_ were Right Worshipful, and those of _towns_ were
only Worshipful. With due deference, however, I am rather inclined to
think that all Mayors, whether of cities, or of towns, ought properly
to be styled "the _Right_ Worshipful" for the following reason:--all
Magistrates are Worshipful, I believe, although not always in these
days so designated, and a mayor being the chief magistrate ought to
have the distinctive "_Right_" appended to his style. And this view of
the subject derives some support from the fact of a difference being
made with regard to the Aldermen of London (who are all of them
magistrates), those who have passed the chair being distinguished
as the Right Worshipful, whilst those below the chair are styled the
worshipful only; thus showing that the circumstance of being Mayor is
considered worthy of an especial distinction. Probably it may be said
that custom is the proper guide in a case like this, but I believe
that there is no particular custom in some towns, both prefixes being
sometimes used, and more frequently none at all. It seems desirable,
however, that some rule should be laid down, if possible, by common
consent, that it may be understood in future what the appropriate
Prefix is. I shall be glad if some of your heraldic or antiquarian
readers will give their opinions, and if they know of any authorities,
to quote them.