New-York tribune., 1896-09-30
GILuERTON VILLAGE "PLAY."
From TT oail Mall Gazette.

From TT i'al Mall Gazette.
South Of the Tweed there are probably very few
persons who have ever heard OF Gilmerton, but
this, from Scotsman's point OF View, Is only an
other proof of the deplorable ignorance Of tho
Southron For on the other side of the border
Gilmerton has for centuries enjoyed famc-a fame
little Midlothian village has been celebrated since
time immemorial-its carters ana us pay;
Centuries ago the 'Gilmerton carriers were widely
famed although their fame was certainly ci
the past had very confused. a. wen as extremely
rudmentary ideas. with regard TO me avs OF
meum ard tuum. Like Donald Bean Lean. Moth
ing came amiss 10 him unless 1t was TOO not or 700
heavy TO be- carried of. On IN" Wnolt, ne was
scotch proverbs with which he associated
How far back in the history of Gilmerton the other
nTipor , rer;ainy g dafes as r SACK at least as tHe
year lJ1 At that time. and for many years after
Hood and Little John" generally believed 20 have
been introduced from England The play was was
nburgh and elsewhere were attracted to me village
1t came. howsyer to be source OF ro"Gsim6 ahe no
,oemt an such an occasion played "A prominent part
so serious did matters become that the dutnor-
ham The middle of last century il was resiIscitated
by the villagers. and since then il has been held
annually without interruption although I'm a great
it stni Connected with the .pay' developed into
serious disturbances; and the scenes enacte1
down to late date as the middle OK
the present century were Of such character
as To call forth a vigorous protest rom tne
then parish minister. The laird however. SYM
pathized with the ancient custom. and dryy told
the minister that If he objected 90 what ne saw
he had better draw down the manse blinds"
his predecessor had done The day seldom passed
without some heads heing broken and other oan.
age done. and although the "tiimerton carter.
Ike the play" had been shorn OF much Of his for:
glory strangers to the village frequently had
an opportunity OF learning the meaning ot me sig
nfcant Scottish proVerb "fechtn Ike Gimerton
carter" During the last thirty or forty years.
however, great improvements have taken place IN
the mode Of conducting the play
Notwithstanding all the alterations, ana mat as
matter OF fact. there Is no play performed now.
play day continues TO %" aS popular a. ever
This year the crowds that came TO witness the pro-
ccediugs even larger than Turing the last few
years Since i7N. IN. play" has been held under
the auspices the tii!rncrton Junior Fri, ndy So
ci"ty-a mutual benefit society supported py the
mintcrs and carriers of the village Inc arrange
OF the society. who has 20 be addressed as My
Lord" and any one making an error IN addressing
him is fined i've shillings for the INST ouence, with
Increasing fine for every repetition thereof vol
lowing past usage the proceedings this year began
by the band and members OF the society calling
at IN, houses Of the hag and standard bearers
who with murh ceremony, wcr' invited TO join
them procession then formed. and with
band playing and ndgS nying II marched through
the village streets. Al noon the annual meeting
Of the society was held In a hall. ana while IL
going on the public ndulgcd m dancing in the
streets. on tho business OF the society being con-
cluded the procession was reformed, and several
were made absent'es being liable 20 nne OF bali
crown and after the third rollcaU the company
turned the hail and dinner was served. the bill
OF consisting Of a leg OF mutton for each four
members and "A huge plate OF haggls tor each in
dividual HOme-hrcwed ale was at one time SUP
piled. but each brings his liquor
After dinner came an important part OF the proIf
gramme-thc sale 10y auction Of the honor OF carry
ing the various flags and banners at next years
play A. much as r los was paid on one oc.
flag of the society. The remainder OF the slay was
spent In dancing. and the proceedings concluded
with Il ball al night.