194 THE MARDLERiJ 



claim, and exercise the misletoe-like privilege of kissing all 

 women whom in their parade they may meet. The qualiiScation 

 of the "free boy" is, that he must be son of a freeman. 



Objection may be made by any existing freeman, and if it is 

 decided by the meeting that the objection is valid, admittance 

 to the Company is refused. The admittance takes place on 

 Shrove Tuesday, when the KoU of Apprentices is made up ; for 

 the Borough, at the Town-Hall, Corfe, — for the Country, at 

 Swanage. The Mayor of the Borough of Corfe Castle used for- 

 merly to be present at the meeting, but his presence has of late 

 years been discontinued. The Bailiff of Corfe Castle Borough 

 still attends, and receives a fee of two shillings and sixpence. 

 On being admitted into the roll of freemen, each new member 

 has to pay six and eightpence, the old time-honoured fee of half 

 a mark. He provides also a penny loaf, still made on purpose 

 by the bakers of the place ; and two pots of beer. 



On the occasion of the marriage of any member, he pays a 

 marriage shilling. This is received in acknowledgement of the 

 right, in case of his death, of his widow to have an apprentice to 

 work for her. 



At the same meeting on Shrove Tuesday, a foot-ball is to be 

 provided by the last married man, who thereupon is freed from 

 the payment of the marriage shilling. In the event of no free- 

 man having been married during the year, the old foot-ball is 

 used. The foot-ball is used, but not much so by the quarriers, 

 being generally seized by others than quarriers. It is however 

 carried on Ash Wednesday, together with a pound of pepper, 

 the acknowledgment to the Lord of the manor in respect of the 

 right of way to Owre, by the Steward of each body down to that 

 place. The cottager at Owre generally provides pancakes for 

 the stewards who have brought the pepper and foot-ball. 



At what time the Company of Marblers was first formed, is 

 not apparently known: but articles of agreement are extant, 

 drawn from their ancient records, and renewed and confirmed in 

 the year 1551. These Articles run as follows: — 



Abticles 



