Page:A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases.djvu/186

 i are so named. Vide Tottv. The duties of a Tutliman are fully explained in the following extract from a contribution by an ex-Tuttiman to " Chamber's Journal ": —

■• The constilulion of llie governing body of the town of Hunger/ord, Berkshire, is as foUows : High -const able, feoQees, portreeve, bailiff, tUhiHg-min, and the Hocktide jury. No onecan serve the office othigh- coDstable utiiil he has served the offices of liihiag-fiaH. bailiff, and

Birtreeve. All who have titled these ofHces are eligible, and the ocktide jury have the power lo elect. The High-coosiable is during his lenn of office Loiti of the Manor, and likewise coroner for the borough, and □□ town business can be settled withont his sanction. The bailiS' has to collect all market and other tolls ; and the portreeve has to gather in all quit-rents, the same to be handed 10 the high -con stable.

The 'litkiHg-mrn.' or in common speech, 'tultimrn ' are selected from the tradesmen of the town ; and their duties are somewhat unique. Before the establishment of the county police, they had to act as constables, and assist in preserving order in the town In addition to this, on ' Hockney Day '—which is the Tuesday following Easter week— they have to visit each house in the borough and demand acoin of the realm from each male : and have the privilege of taking, if not freely given, a ki&s from each woman. As a rule the ladies take the salute in good part, as the writer of this can testify, having served the office, some are coy and run away, but generally allow themselves to be caught. The said lilhing-mtn carry each a staff about six feel long, bedecked with choice flowers, and having streamers of blue ribbons ; the whole being surmounted with a cup and spike bearing an orange, which is given with each salute, and then replaced by another one. The proceedings of Hocklide are of a very festive character, and begin on the Friday preceding ' Hockney Day ' by the holding of what is called the ' Audit Supper * at the 'John o'Gaunt Inn.' The guests on this occasion are those who bear office in the town. The fare is macaroni, Welsh rabbits, and water-cress, followed by steaming hot punch.

The following Tuesday, Hockney Day, is ushered in by Ihe blowing John of Gaunt'a horn from the balcony of the town hall. At nine o'clock, the Hocktide jury having been summoned, assemble in the town-hall ; and having chosen a foreman and bebg duly sworn, the ancient rules and regulations of the court are read over by the (owd clerk; after which the names of the free suitors and commoners are called over: those who do not answer to their names have to pay a peony, or lose their right of commons and lishing for the ensuing year The if igh -const able then presents his accounts; the vouchers of expenditure are passed to and examined by each juryman ; and if these be found correct, the jury attach their signature:! to the balance-sheet. This being done, Ihe High-constable for the ensuing year is chosen, and the other officers are also elected. In addition to those already named, are three water-bailiffs, three overseers of the port downs, three keepers of the keys of the common coffer, two ale-tasters, hay ward, hall-keeper, and l>ell-man. Presentmentsas to encroachments (if any) on the town property are made and discussed, and any matter relating to the welfare of the town coDsiduted. The business concluded, tbereliriog High-constabie invites the jury to luncheon at the 'Three Swans' Hotel." A substantial cold collation is provided, followed by bowls of punch.

On Ihe following Friday morning, the officers are sworn in ; and in the evening, the newly elected High -con stable gives a banquet to his fellow .townsmen to the number of from sixty lo eighty. The banquet IS a right royal one, ihere being everything in season, and a profusion of the choicest winos. Oa Saturday, tbe leativities are brought to a