CORNHILL, extends from the end of Bishopsgate street to the Mansion house.
CORNHILL WARD, is so called from the principal street in it, which was named Cornhill from the corn market anciently kept there. This ward is bounded on the north by Broad street ward; on the east by Bishopsgate ward; on the south by Langborne ward; and on the west by Cheap ward.
This ward contains only one principal street, which is Cornhill. Its most remarkable buildings are, the Royal Exchange, and the parish churches of St. Michael, and St. Peter.
It is governed by an Alderman and six Common Council men, including the Deputy; to which are added, sixteen wardmote inquest men, four scavengers, four constables, and a beadle. The jury returned by the wardmote inquest serve in the several courts of Guildhall in the month of January. _Maitland._
CORONER, an officer of great antiquity, who is to enquire into the causes of all sudden deaths, where there is the least suspicion of murder, and for that purpose he impannels a jury, to whom he gives a charge, and takes evidence upon oath. The Lord Mayor for the time being is coroner of the city; but he appoints a deputy for the discharge of that office. The coroner’s jury have a right to examine the body of the deceased, and to call in the assistance of physicians or surgeons. They are to try the supposed murderer; and if they acquit him of all guilt, and concern in the death of the deceased, he is set at liberty; but if they find him guilty, their sentence is not final; the supposed murderer being sent to prison to take his trial at the Old Bailey. The coroner is likewise to enquire into the escape of a murderer, and also concerning found treasure, deodands, and wrecks at sea.
There are several other coroners, who hold courts out of the liberties of the city, as for Westminster, the Tower Hamlets, &c.
CORPORATION _lane_, Bridewell walk, Clerkenwell.
COTE’S _yard_, Skinner street, Bishopsgate street without.†
COTTERELL’S _Almshouse_, situated in Chapel yard, Hog lane, Soho, was endowed by Sir Charles Cotterell, with a perpetual annuity of 20_l._ a year, towards the support of eight poor women.
COTTON LIBRARY, consisting of a curious collection of valuable manuscripts, relating to the antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. was collected by that excellent antiquary Sir Robert Cotton, who left it to his son Sir Thomas, and after his decease to Sir John Cotton, his grandson, who giving it to the public, an act of parliament was passed in the year 1701, for securing it, for the benefit of the public. Pursuant to which the library, together with the coins, medals and other rarities, were, upon the death of Sir John Cotton, vested in trustees, who appointed a librarian, well read in antiquities; but on the 23d of October 1731, this valuable collection suffered greatly by fire; by which ninety nine volumes were destroyed, and an hundred and eleven much damaged.