Comb Nevil, in Surry, is situated in the parish of Kingston upon Thames, and was formerly the seat of the Earl of Warwick, called the setter up and puller down of Kings; but was lately in the possession of William Harvey, Esq; It is situated in the midst of a park; and near the house are certain springs whose water is conveyed in leaden pipes for three miles, under the road and lands, and across the bottom of the Thames to Hampton Court.
Cumber’s court, Blackman street.†
Combmakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Charles I. in the year 1636. They consist of a Master, two Wardens, and thirteen Assistants; but have neither hall nor livery.
Comes’s court, Noble street, Foster lane.†
Commistry’s alley, Cock hill, Ratcliff cross.
Common Council. These are the representatives of the commons, and compose one of the parts of the city legislature, which nearly resembles that of the kingdom; for as the latter consists of the King, Lords, and Commons, so this is composed of the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen and Common Council; the principal difference is, that the three estates of the kingdom enjoy separately the right of a negative, while in the city this right is confined to the Aldermen and Common Council.
Before the year 1347, there were only two Common Council men returned for each ward, which being thought inefficient to represent the numerous body of the commons, it was at that time agreed, that each of the city wards should chuse a number of Common Council men according to its dimensions; but none to exceed twelve, nor any to have less than six; which has been since increased to the present number.
The city is now divided into twenty-five wards, and they into 236 precincts, each of which lends a representative, who is elected in the same manner as an Alderman; with this only difference, that as the Lord Mayor presides in the wardmote, and is judge of the poll at the election of an Alderman, the case is the same with the respect to the Aldermen in their several wards, at the choice of Common Council men. Maitland.
The Court of Common Council, consists of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and representatives of the several wards, who assemble in Guildhall, as often as the Lord Mayor, by his summons, thinks proper to convene them, in order to make by-laws for the government of the city. They annually select six Aldermen and twelve Commoners for letting the city lands, and this committee generally meet at Guildhall on Wednesdays. They also appoint another committee of four Aldermen and eight Commoners for transacting the affairs belonging to Gresham College, who generally meet at Mercers hall, according to the appointment of the Lord Mayor, who is always one of the number. Besides the appointing of these, and several other committees, they by virtue of a royal grant, annually chuse a Governor, Deputy, and Assistants, for the management of the city lands in Ireland. They have likewise a right to dispose of the offices of town clerk, common serjeant, judges of the Sheriffs court, common crier, coroner, bailiff of the borough of Southwark, and city garbler. Maitland’s Survey.
Common Clerk. See Town Clerk.