Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-01-18
ODD CIVIC SHOWS
Queer English Election cere-
monies Seldom Heard or.
Water Is Drunk to tho Memory OF
Sir Francis Drake---Perqulsltes OF
London's Mayor--one Sheriff
Fined so Pounds for Insult.

London.-There are several towns
In the united kingdom which boast
an annual show day. London's lord
mayors show, so far as the process
sion is concerned has no rival; but,
nevertheless, the election of mayors
of provincial towns is attended with
functions both interesting and curl,
GUS
For instance, the annual election Of
the mayor OF High Wycombe is not
considered complete unless his wor'
ship is weighed in" The mayor, as
we'll as each member of the corpora.
ton, takes seat on a pair of gigantic
scales, and the result Is entered In a
big book kept at the town hall for
the purpose. 1t ia declared that the
custom dates back to the reign OF
Edward /.
When a man reaches the mayorship
of Plymouth he is supposed. accord
ing to an ancient custom, to pay at
least one visit during his reign Of
office to the Lake of Burrator. When
this function takes place the whole
corporation turns out In all its finery.
and, led by the mayor journeys to the
lake.
Arriving there. two lines are formed.
and a couple OF ancient golden go5-
let's. filed with water taken from the
lake. are passed round from mouth
to mouth. The mayor and corpora,
tion drink to the memory OF Sir
Francis Drake. who, when mayor of
Plymouth, brought water to the town
by means of canal more than twenty
miles in length. When the water
placed in the goblets is consumed the
vessels are filled with wine, and the
mayor. holding one at arms length,
exclaims: May the descendants of him
who gave us water never want wine!"
The visit to Burrator lake concludes
with feast. the first dish served be-
ing a sucking pig.
The mayor of Peterborough's show
is held every October, and his worship
and the members OF the corporation
make their way to Bridge Fair, and de-
clare 1t open from the bridge spanning
the river. The bridge unites two coun.
tias-Northamptcn nshire and Hunting
donshire-and the mayor, after adjur-
ing all visitors to the fair to conduct
themselves soberly and civilly, goes
on to declare that the fair may be
held as well in Northamptonshire as
In Huntingdonshire today tomorrow
and the day afterward."
A very ancient custom Is the pre-
senting to Londons mayor and may
Dress every year a selection of pears.
apples and grapes by the master of
the Fruiterers' company and the gem
eral purposes committee of the city
of London
1t is interesting to know that In
earlier times the lord mayor of Lon
don was entitled to proportion of
every consignment of fruit arriving
In the metropolis by ship. The ak
action of this due caused good deal
of disagreement In days gone by. and
1t was finally arranged that a yearly
presentation of fruit should be ac-
cepted in it's place.
Ever since the days of william the
Conqueror, the chief magistrate OF the
Cit has received four bucks from the
Royal forests, while each sheriff has
received three bucks. and the recorder.
the common sergeant. the chamber
lain and other city officials one each.
Since the title Of lord mayor was
bestowed on Sir Thomas Legge by
Edward ILL.,, in 1854. the high office
has carried with 1t all manner of titles
and dignities. In early days he some
times used his power to the dlsadvan-
tage of those in office under him. For
instance. Harrison, referring to the
lord mayor for the year 14T9 saws:
"This year Thomas Byfeld. one of the
sheriffs Of London. was fined ESQ by
the court of alderman for affronting
the lord mayor. which arose from no
other cause than his kneeling too
near the mayor during prayers at st.
Pauls cathedral"