AS FLAYED IN DUN8E ON FASTERN's EVE. 45 



h gilt, and called the " golden ball," the second, from its colour, is called 

 the " silver ball ;" the third is spotted. 



About eleven o'clock in the forenoon the honour of throwing off the 

 ball was at one time exposed to auction, in the churchyard, over one of 

 the tombstones. The arrangement of the working classes in Dunse, 

 under the different trades, was at that time much more complete than 

 at present; and it was a subject of considerable competition among 

 them who should have the honour of throwing up the ball. My inform- 

 ant states H as a very early recollection, that the whip-men (carters) 

 bought it for fifteen shillings, a sum which, making allowance for the 

 difference of the value in money, shews the estimation in which it was 

 held. The children of the Drumrnelzier family, or of the more respect- 

 able families in Dunse itself, have of late enjoyed the honour, but it has 

 not unfrequently been left to the ball-men themselves. 



It was from the top of a small building that stood close to the old 

 Town-house, that the ball was usually thrown. Since that was taken 

 down, it is simply from the street. About one o'clock the shops are 

 shut, the golden ball is thrown off, and the game begins. 



The opposing parties are the married and unmarried men. Their ob- 

 ject is not to kick the ball, but to snatch it up and carry it off. This, 

 however, is exceedingly difficult. It is thrown into the middle of the 

 crowd, and whoever happens to gain it, is sure that hundreds will rush 

 on him from every point. The scenes to which this leads, are, as may 

 be supposed, exceedingly varied and amusing. At one time the crowd 

 is rolled together in a mass, every individual in which is making the 

 greatest exertions to gain or retain the ball. And should the possessor 

 of it be able to escape, or to throw it to any distance, the rush which is 

 made, and the eager pursuit, exhibit a very animated sight. The game 

 of the married men is to carry the ball into the church, the doors of 

 which are set open on the occasion. The unmarried men endeavour to 

 reach any mill in the parish, and put the ball into the hopper. 



The contests, though conducted in good humour, are usually very de- 

 termined, and when the game was in higher estimation than at present, 

 it is said that accidents sometimes happened from the pressure of the 

 crowd. 



Though the unmarried men might carry the ball to any mill in the 

 parish, they generally endeavour to reach Clock-mill, about half a mile 

 to the west of Dunse. It was once customary, therefore, for a party of 

 their opponents to be stationed before it, and many a hard contest took 

 place there. The parties, however, scarcely met on equal terms. The 

 young men, spent with previous exertion, were no match for these fireuh 

 opponents ; and it not unfrequently ended in their being plunged in the 

 mill-lead. If, however, in spite of all opposition, the mill-hopper was 

 fairly reached, the game was won. And then came their honours. The 

 miller entertained them with pork and dumplin* ; and, what was of for 



