The Washington times., 1901-11-24
THE DUNMow FITCH.
Two London Couples Won the Prize
This year.

Dunmow yesterday had its annual fete
day.
For 364 days each year it is a small
drowsy Essex town, with about two oI
three thousand inhabitants. But on the
August Bank Holiday it attracts from
r. 900 to $1,000 visitors. who, with the
residents, give themselves up to a carni-
| val which includes the trial of happy
| married couples, horse racing, and "all
the fun OF the fair
Locally it is known as '.Flitch Day."
the most important item on the pro-
grammc being the presentation of fitch
of bacon to each married couple who can
prove that for year and a day they
have had no household brawls or conten-
tious strife,
! Or. since the Parish clock said "Amen,"
Wished themselves unmarried again.
| The date of the origin of this custom is
| in doubt, the historian contenting himself
| with remarking that 1t may have been
introduced in the reign of Richard 1, or
that of King John, 'or, perchance, soon
after the latter had gone, or before the
former was crowned"
1t is, however, known that, after q
lapse of some years, the custom was re-
vived in 1887 by an influential committee
of Dunmowites, and that under their
guidance 1t has flourished, until today il
is stronger than ever it was.
The course of true love is apparently
running smoother year by year. for there
was record number OF married couples
ready for this years trial. But out of
thirteen applicants only two were selected
for public appearance. These were James
Overs DeveTeux, chemist, of GO Nelson
Square, Southwark. and his wife. and Her.
bert Edward Clarke, baker, of Senrab
Street. Stepney. and his wife.
They were accommodated with wooden
seats on platform in a large marquee.
They were faced by judge ard, by -sayor-
able and opposing counsel in wigs and
gowns, and also by jIry composed of six
smartly dressed pretty maidens and six
young bachelors. Down in the body of the
marquee were 1900 spectators, who roared'
with laughter while the happy couples.
told the story of their felicity in answer
to leading questions from counsel.
Mr.. Devereux, in addition to being a
chemist, is borough councillor, guar
dian OF the poor, a member of several
public committees, and a mana ger. of the
Central London schools. According to his
counsel, he is also full of youths dar-
ing spirit and manhood's fire, with firm
hand ana an eagle eye."
He told how he emulated his fathers
martial spirit by becoming a drummer in
her Majesty's volunteers, and how he fol-
lowed this by winning the affections of the
lady who is now his wife.
1T seems impossible that such a busy
man ever had time to think of Cupid's
tender passic.," urged counsel for the
bacon.
Not only was that possible" responded
counsel for the applicant, ''but when he
found his twin soul he absolutely lost
himself by falling head over ears in love.
And his sixteen years of married life have
been sixteen years Of pure welded bliss"
This clinched the argument. Opposing
counsel tried to insinuate that there must
be occasional tiffs between man and his
wife when the former is In the habit of
going home late at nighe from committee
meetings '.or other pleceJ." But the jury
would not listen, and gave a unanimous
verdict for the applicants.
A similar verdict was given as to Mr..
and Mrs. Clarke. against whose "unbrok-
en- realized dream of love- not a word
could be said. =, -'s
Then the two couples went out into the |
open, stood on the bandstand, knelt on |
sharp-pointed stones, and, in, the pres
ence of 12,0 ,06o people. took the oath Az |
terward they were chafred round the fair. \
And all for fitch of bacon which can be |
bought for about S0s.-London Mall.