The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-03-19 00:00:00

" ilas'bris anD inickais."

A gentleman interested in antiquities was exceedingly
pleased with the manner in which the Bathing Machines
were hauled out of the sea. lie told me he would not
have that plan altered for any amount of comfort We
quite agree with him, and were therefore pleased to
witness that the Jubilee Day of the Purbeck Stone Trade
WU perpetuated on Slyer.) Tuesday in all its ancient
quaintness. We quote from an account of such customs
which a friend has put. into our hands, and which we are
informed by members of the trade is quite correct.

" On this day the Town Warden may be seen bearing
away from the latest married couple's home a mysterious
parcel" (Note: For which the happy pair have given •
shilling to • working shoemaker, a very pleasing sign that
the staple trade does not seek to engross every other. —L.)
Accompanied by marbiers and stone-cutters jood and
=this functionary proceeds to the "Court at Code
A house is dedkated to that honour, Use doors
of which cannot be closed against the "0,004. Before
this 'Court' is summoned every young man who since the
previous jubilee has attained the age of manhood. Upon
the table he deposits Se. 84.—not • lawyer's fee, but his
humble contribution toward the defence of the chartered
rights of the trade." (Note—Some people believe there
are none. Their faith father to their knowledge U the
trade would but let Lucia see that memor4le Magee
Charts of the reign of Queen Anne, he would be no sure
that be would well he would be quite sure.—L.)
" Along with the money he Places with due gravity 01
demeanour, 'one quart of beer and ons penny loaf.' From
that instant he stands erect before the quart.—(Note:
And the • um:an:dea)—a ' free man.' And now the warden
opens the queer parcel, and displays • reerkail. This the
freemen seise with gleeful shoats, and harry it away to
an appointed field, where they bunt its sides with hearty
kicks, prophetical of the sorry fate of any opponents of
their cherished freedom." (Note: Etometim*.e.when the freeman hare given quartsto themselves. taw W_M one
another That curter's, however, is not to be detnuied,
and ie not provided for in the charter, and, there're*. as •
true Conservative, I am Sony such an innovation is per-
mined—L.)

" Meanwhile at the Oourt • the *idea here been so-
<pointing themselves with the content. of the 'quarts;
and, mingling business with pleasure they have doll
elected one of the redeemed as 'steward for the ensuing
year, and retitled other Mame in that hour recast. The
Warden now exhibit. another parcel still more
mysterious" (Not.: We bag the writer's pardon for the
' custom is maintained to a very large number of comer.
retire strougholda —L.) "Which he pressed, sees con-
veyed to the farmer resident at Clover, receiving & day's
wages for the responsible trust The Problem Is at once
solved aa the • pepper-corn rent '—'s pound of pepper,'
provided from the common fonds, which maintains the
right-of-wee from the stone ' guars' to that distant quay-
side, from whih, in the good old times, thousands of tons
of stone here been shipped, and from which many
thousands loon would be expiated if the oicierioisi of
thaw wicked Mot din should &mad it. Ladd
Wyss that this dirk day will swat dawn.