The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1913-01-10
The Lambertville Record.
FRIDAY. JANUARY 10, 1918
A CURIOUS COURT
1t Is Held Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE OF AN ANCIENT PEACE.

After More Than Five Centuries Three
Calves Are Still Humbly Presented
Each Year to the Naughty Descend
ants of the Victorious Spaniards.
Every year there takes place in the
Pyrenean highlands a remarkable fete
1t is held at the boundary stone of San
Martin, which separates the French
valley Bareton from the Spanish valley
Of Roncal. Every year the representa-
tives of the French peasants assemble
there in order to pay the Spaniards
tribute, which consists of three calves
of the same age and the same color,
and the delivery of the calves Is &C
companied by ceremonies which suth-
GENTLY indicate that the old inhabit-
ants of the Roncai valley we're once
victorious over their neighbors.
At 8 O'Clock In the morning the may
ors of the various villages In the Bare
ton valley, bravely adorned with their
blue, white and red scarfs of office,
march up to the boundary stone. In
front OF the column walks lad. with
pike, from the point of which lutters
little white pennon as gage OF peace.
The three calves are dragged in the
rear of the procession at the end OF
long ropes. Calves and scarfs take up
their position by the stone and await
the arrival OF the Spanlards
They are soon visible In the distance.
In front walks man clad in sheep
skins, who waves red pennon at the
end of pike as sign of war. Behind
him walks the alcalde of Isaba, the
principal village In the valley of Ron
cal, and following him come the a.
caldes of the other villages, their STATS
of office in their hands. The bulk of
the procession consists of shepherds,
stern looking fellows armed with old
sabers and matchlocks.
The alcalde of Isaba Is all glorious to
behold In a long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons, a tall white ruff.
tight fitting knee breecbes. red silk
stockings and buckled shoes. A som.
brero covers his head. and In his hands
he holds the staff adorned with silver
terial dignity.
As soon as the Spaniards reach the
rendezvous the alcalde of Isaba steps
to the front and addresses them In sol
emn ceremonial style:
Are you come to pay tribute and
swear friendship according to old Gus
tom and tradihonT
L.. aa
answer the French.
Then the two standard bearers mp
proach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon 1t. After II
few moments the Spaniard takes his
up again, sticks it into French soil aud
then places 1t as before on the stone
On the cross formed by the two shafts
the representatives of the two valleys
swear to keep the peace with loyal
mind
Then follows the delivery of the three
calves to the Spauiards They are ex-
amined by veterinary surgeon and
accepted, after which all present take
up their statiosss under n shady oak,
and, following the example of the good
81 LOUIS Vi HIuutt anu ailOHSp tHt
Wise of Spain, the alcalde OF Isaba en-
thrones himself among the gnarled
roots of the oak and proceeds TO act as
a magistrate.
Shepherds and neatherds pass before
him and prefer their international com
plants. The judge listens to both sides
bids them bring forward their witness.
es and delivers Judgment without de
lay, INJECTING fine on one. awarding
compensation to another, Furnishing one
and affordlng satisfaction to his victim
After all the quarrels are settled the
alcalde undertakes the appointment OF
the pasture guardians for both valleys,
so that he enjoys even greater author
ity In the township OF Bareton than the
president of the republic himself I'll
nally. they all betake themselves TO
Spanish soil, where Homerlc feast is
set out, and till late In tho night the
banquet goes on, the descendants OF
the old warlike mountain peoples drink.
Ing together In brotherly unity In com.
memoration of the conclusion of the
peace Of 1875 and the installation of
the above ceremonies
About 800 years after this treaty had
been made the French began to refuse
to pay the tribute, but after some nego
tiations they consented to continue II
In more modern times they tried to get
the tribute COMMITTED to sum of mon.
ey, but the Spaniards declined, but |
agreed to forego the firing of guns in |
the direction of France as being a |
wound to French amour propre. - Lon
don Spectator