The inclosed paragraph, extracted from the _Morning Post_ of last Saturday
completes the history of the municipal collar of the corporation of Derby,
concerning which I recently proposed a Query. The right to purchase does
not, however, establish the right to wear such a decoration.
"THE INSIGNIA OF MAYORALTY.--Considerable excitement prevails just now
in many municipal corporations respecting the insignia of mayoralty. At
Derby the mayor has recently obtained the gold chain worn by Lord
Denman when Lord Chief Justice. In reference to a question whether or
not the chain was a present, a correspondent of the _Derby Mercury_
says, 'I am sorry to admit, it was a bargain; it cost 100l., and is
paid for. The chain is the property of the corporation, and will grace
the neck of every succeeding mayor. The robes did not accompany the
chain; they are bran new, gay in colour, a good cut, and hang well;
they are private property, consequently not necessarily transferable.
Every mayor will have the privilege of choosing the shape and colour of
his official vestment, and can retain or dispose of it as he may deem
proper. It was suggested that the robes should be the property of the
corporation, but a difficulty arose, from the fact, that mayors differ
as much in their bodies as they do in their minds, so that one measure
would not conveniently fit all. Economically speaking, the suggestion
was a valuable one, but the physical difficulty was insurmountable. It
has been hinted that a wardrobe of habiliments for different sized
mayors might be kept on hand at the Town-Hall, but as the cost would be
great, and the arrangement would partake too much of the customary
preparation for a fancy ball or masquerade, it was thought
objectionable. The Liberal corporation have, therefore, very properly
resolved on throwing no obstacle in the way of Free Trade, and it is
their determination to enable all mayors, in the selection of their
vestures, to buy in the cheapest market and sell in the
dearest.'"--_Morning Post_, Oct. 26. 1850.