wards of a thousand Christians having perished here in the Dioclesian persecution: others maintain that the name is descriptive of its situation, which was formerly in a marshy ground, and assert it is derived from the word lich, signifying a morass. These disputes are, however, of little importance to our purpose, which is much more interested in the present than in its past state. It is a corporate city, and received its first charter from Edward the Sixth, which was confirmed, with additional privileges, by Mary. In 1553 it was constituted a county. Queen Elizabeth and James the First ratified these charters; and, in 1664, the charter under which its corporation exists was granted by Charles the Second; for though James the Second, during his short but arbitrary career, demanded and received the surrender of its ancient charter (1686), yet, within two years afterwards, he was forced to issue a proclamation restoring its ancient privileges. The Corporation consists of two bailiffs, and twenty-four brethren, who are empowered to elect a recorder, high steward, and sheriff. The bailiffs are elected from the council, one being appointed by that body, and one by the bishop. The city sends two members to Parliament. The number of electors is about 700; the sheriff is the returning officer. The ecclesiastical officers of Lichfield Cathedral consist of a bishop, dean, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, four archdeacons, viz., Coventry, Derby, Salop, Stafford, twenty-seven prebendaries, five priests, vicars, seven lay clerks, and
