Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/138

 . The origin of the second name is obviously" (from the Tom o' Bedlams, released from that hospital, and licensed to beg, wearing tin badges. There was also a play or interlude of "Tom o' Bedlam, the Tinker"). The particular frolic here referred to seems to be described in the following passage from the "History of Preston," vol. ii. p. 358:— "A grand masque took place, and a rush-bearing was introduced, in which a man was enclosed in a dendrological foliage of fronds, and was the admiration of the company. This spectacle was exhibited in that part of the garden called 'the middle circular.' Speeches were made in dialogue wittily pleasant, and all kinds of frolics were carried on to the highest pitch, by Robin Goodfellow, Will Huckler, Tom Bedloe, Old Crambo, Jem Tosspot, Dolly Wango, and the Cap Justice. These characters were played to the life; and the Justices Crooke, Houghton, and Doddridge, who were present, declared to the King that 'the Cap Justice was acted to the very life.' Sir John Finett, knight, and master of the ceremonies to the King, performed the part of Cap Justice." Crambo is named in Ben Jonson's masque of the "Fortunate Isles." Recent inquiry has thrown much doubt upon the strict accuracy of this passage.

CUSTOM AT LIVERPOOL FAIRS. fair days are 25th July and 11th November. Ten days before and ten days after each fair day, a hand (or perhaps a glove) is exhibited in front of the town-hall, which denotes protection; during which time no person coming to or going from the town on business connected with the fair can be arrested for debt within its liberty. This custom is noticed in Gore's Directory, but it has long been discontinued, and no such exemption now exists.