The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-11-26
puNMow FITCH OF BACON.


hundred years, but assuredly among
.hese that of Dunmow Fitch occupies
IN honored place. Toward the end OF
the nineteenth century it appears to APP
peal as much to the national sense OF
humor as it did six hundred years ago.
Some time about then Chaucer made his
wife of Bath say in her immortal Pro-
logue:
The bacon was not set for him trow 4
That some men have in Essex at Dunmow.
MONDAYS proceedings showed that
the Jest is as well received in the Essex
of to-day as ever it was. For months
past the ALLEGATION of the fitch has
been q common topic OF conversation
among the country folk. AT first it
seemed as though there were to be
quite deluge Of applicants. No fewer
than eight couples limited that they
meant to put in claim for the cele-
brated fitch, but as the crucial mo-
ment arrived the members were gradu-
ally reduced to two, and Monday after
noon the chief event in Dunniow was
the trial of these two claimants to the
celebrated fitch.
i
in the modern contests all the ancient
forms are carefully disregarded. For
example, it is no longer the married
couple who have been married for
wear and a day who ask for the fitch;
instead of the presentation being made
by the priory at Little Dunmow or by
the lord of Dunmow, it is made by
firm of city bacon curers; and IN the
ceremonial that attends the awards
still more important changes have been
made. Long ago anybody might put in
claim. All that was required was
that the husband and wife should de-
clare that
You never made any nuptial transgression,
Since you were married man and wife
Or since the parish clerk said "Ame1,'
Wished yourselves unmarried again;
Or In a twelve month and day
Repented not in thought any way.
For this Is our custom at Dunmow we'll known,
Though the sport be our own. the bacons your
| own.
| OF old the claimants had to kneel on
sharp flints at the priory of Little Dun
NOV and VOW that these things were
true All is changed now, as the fol-
lowing account will show:
Monday the sport followed show OF
pony-racing and other rural diversions.
It was under the patronage OF Lord and
LADY Brooks, and did not begin until
they arrived on the scene. The tent
where the award took place was then
transformed into an excellent burlesque
of a court of justice.
A LAWYERS clerk acted as judge; the
local corn merchant. in appropriate
dress, was counsel for the claimants; ar
auctioneer conducted the case for tht
donors. Six maidens and as many
bachelors formed the jury. The crowds
that thronged the tent proved that thu
monumental Jest that has amused En-
gland for seven hundred years or NOR
is still us interesting as ever to the gen
eral public.
Upon the platform there were tw'
couples who claimed the fitch. one be
ing old, the other young; and the begin
ners were taken first. Certainly tn
corn merchant, who acted as barristei
made out an excellent case for nj
: Youthful clients. BY examination h
showed that they had known on
another for ten or twelve years befor
marriage. and that the husband was fon
, of children and not at all quarreisomt
I These two (the man was thirty-six an
the wife younger) avowed that thel
advice to all spinsters and bachelor
would be to get married, and they coul
in all honesty take the bacon;
! which there was laugh that sounde
incredulous.
e Yet the auctioneer or opposing coul
} sci could not break down the evidenc
For the husband swore that he had I
club and never went to the theat'
: without his wife: that she never grun
u bled when he came home late and new
e discovered will contrary to his. Th
wife on her part swore that her hu
e band always got up most cheerfully
u the middle of the night if baby wi
= CRYING, and that neither cold Dime
l. nor washing day reused his temper \
D cross-examination was able to shall
;. this evidence.
II Although the counsel for the dono
r. suggested all kinds of offense, it w
~ stoutly denied that any trouble hi
arisen in the matrimonial affairs OF Il
two, and though the jury retired
no consider their verdict the facts we
tc not to be gainsaid, and the fitch W
s, awarded. Yet it was easy to see thai
Of good-humorcd cynicism was mingl
lg with the cheers that greeted the avail
ne But, indeed, a curiously frank o.
az spolsennesss was the most obvio
81 characteristic of the audience.
X When the herald opened the proce'
IS ings with his 20, yes! o, yes! All
who have complaints approach his 10
vi ship. O, yes! o, yesr' there were pc
- of laughter. Shouts of 'Speak !
US Guv'nor! let's hear what you're sayiI
en- old mani interrupted the Judges su
az ming up; and when the first fitch
d. awarded, "For the biggest lie-wl
g, do you think?" was cried by the bs
~ seats.
60 The second applicants were an
er couple whom even the opposing bari
vn ter blushed to oppose. United tn
as ages amounted to one hundred and I'll
re and for twenty-five years the husbs
ny had been in her majesty's service.
ne was compared to the old Adam OF