The Washington herald., 1908-01-12

The ceremony of mayor humping was
recently observed at Dunstable. England.
in connection with the ancient customs
attending the beating Of the boundaries.
Starting from the town hall immedi-
ately after the mayoral election. a great
crowd, headed by two brass bands. and
including the mayor, aldermen. and town
councillors, with many leading towns
people. proceeded to the nearest point Of
the boundary. Here vast concoursa of
spectators from many miles around had
congregated. In the middle Of a ploughed
field a boundary post was set I'D. and
declared truly erected
The official bellman loudly changed his
ancient bell for order, while the charter
was recited, and then the mayor was
seized. and, amid shouts Of laughter.
soundIy bumped on the top Of the post.
the bumpers performing their task With
great zest and relish.
Next the aldermen in priority, accord
ing to weight and portliness, were sub
jected to the same process, and the fun
waxed fast and furious when the In
spector Of police and his sergeant and
men. who were present 10 keep down IN
due rowdiness, were unceTemonIoUsly
seized and also sOundly bumped. their
helmets flying merriIy during the process.
More Bumps.
Proceeding around the boundary. this
was repeated at each post. the beIlmar
vigorously ringing for order at the COM
nencement of each ceremony. This I'M
p0rtant Official, after very faithfully per
forming the duties Of HIS Office until some
distance had been perambulated. was
himself seized, his bell taken from him
meantime, while he was soundly bumped
to fxe the occasion inGelIbly on bis
memory
The humping was TO mark the corpora
tion's success in the long incorporation
fght recently brought 10 conclusion be.
fore the House Of Commons committee,
and the boundary heaters had not pro-
ceeded far before one Of the strongest
opponents TO enlargement OF the borough
was espied on the outskirts Of the crowd.
He was chased over pIoughed burrows.
captured, and dragged to the nearest post.
where he also was put through the time
honored rite
After all the leading personages in the
procession had been bumped the beaters
laid hands upon whoever came near. All
the unpopular character in the district
who could be caught were chased and
seized and bumped
Half way through the perambulatlon q
halt was called while the beaters and
bumpers were regaled with ale and bread
and cheese.
Before this. however. another important
ceremony connected with this ancient
manor had % be observed. The official
ale faster, q prominent member Of the
town council, who has himself been
mayor and has been bumped had to taste
the ale and pass it ere the tapsters dared
20 start on their duty
Ale Judge Approves.
The beaters and bumpers had now be-
come tired and very thirsty. but they
had to wait until the beIman secured
order. Then another Official produced and
read the ale tasters parchment warrant,
showing that under seal of lords Of the
manor he was appointed TO see that all
ale sold in the manor was of good quality
and assize.
There were tremendous cheers when he
sOlemnly quaffed a tankard and pro-
nounced the beverage good. After this
the barrels were quickly emptied, and
fortified with much good ale the bumpers
renewed their task with great vigor. and
no boundary post was passed before L
had been the object point Of punishment
for many victims.
The whole ceremony was however.
taken in good part by all. and there was
no regrettable fracas 10 mar the pro-
ceedings
In the evening the mayor and corpora
ton, with many visitors. dined heartily
and well TO celebrate the days successful
proceedings.
Dunstable IS an ancient manor, dating
from the days of Henry J. who gave 1t its
first charter, The charter and mayoralty
were acquired" by the prior and canons
Of historic Dunstable Pri0Ty, and held
many years by them. AfterWaTd the
charter lapsed. and the manor reverted
10 the Crown. Next the corporation pur-
chased the manorial rights from the late
Queen Victoria. who granted a fresh
charter Thus the mayor and corporation
are lords Of the manor and at their last
court leet the ale faster was fined for not
doing his duty, since when he has been
most energetic.