STAIRCASE OF THE GROCERS HALL 

Second in standing to the Mercers' alone, the Grocers' Company has played an important part in the history of London. Its Hall, within a stone's throw of the Bank, occupies the site of the ancient Synagogue in Old Jewry and, as may be judged from our picture of the Grand Staircase, it is a building worthy the dignified traditions of the "Pepperers," to give the Company its old name.

MERCERS' HALL PREPARED FOR A LIVERY MEETING.

The Mercers Company, incorporated 1393 stands first of all in civic precedence Its Guild-honse, which was re-built in 1884, is entered from Ironmonger Lane, Cheapside. Our picture shows the handsome wainscoted hall laid out fur a livery meeting. The members of the higher grade of the chief City companies are called liverymen from the distinctive dress which they are entitled to wear.