Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 9, 1898.djvu/311

Rh spirit and letter, nor was it confined to the young and comely; for the old dames of Hungerford would deem themselves, if not insulted, at least sadly neglected, were the tuttymen to pass their houses unentered. Usually these officers found little difficulty in carrying out their pleasant duties, but now and then the excitement was increased after [sic, by?] some coy maiden, whose rustic simplicity prompted her to run away or hide. But as a general rule the ladies of Hungerford showed very little objection to the observation of the ancient customs, so that the labours of the tuttymen were considerably lightened.

Thus, amid laughter, merriment, and mock-seriousness, the fun continued until about half the borough had been visited, by which time the tuttymen had taken care that all the duty-kisses that should gratify the ancient inhabitants had been administered, as well as others that were more a pleasure than a duty. Certainly they deserved well of the town, for the tuttymen had gone through a good day's work by the time dinner was served. Then, in accordance with the time-honoured precedent, the chief constable was elected in the chair; the great bowl of punch was placed on the table after dinner, and the various offices were toasted and replied for. One was drunk in solemn silence—that of John of Gaunt, who, as is graven on the old summoning horn, "did give and grant the Royal fishing in Hungerford towne," the horn being a guarantee of their privileges. And all the townspeople seemed satisfied with their day's carnival, save perhaps a crooning old burgher, who was heard to extol the good old days when the punch was strong and the newly elected officers went home in wheelbarrows.



I quote the following from "Mediæval Service Books in Aquitaine," by Mr. R. Twigge, F.S.A, which appears in The Dublin Review for October, 1897. The writer's suggestion that we have here a relic of sun-worship is probably correct. If so, it is interesting to notice that there is here a more modern tale used to explain the practice of a much older rite. Riom is near Clermont. 