HERRING FAIR. 61 



there, by right, they cannot challenge any." After 

 service they take a formal leave of each other. 

 Afterwards the "Vermouth" bailiffs, with their 

 brethren in scarlet robes, repair to the " toll-house," 

 where their justices, constables, and other officers 

 are sworn in, upon which the Cinque Port bailiffs 

 are sent for, who upon their entrance make a short 

 speech to show " who they be ; from whence, and 

 wherefore they do come thither, desiring to be re- 

 ceived ; " having shown their credentials, they are 

 "admitted to have place with the bailiffs of Ver- 

 mouth," their names are recorded, and after a little 

 other official business disposed of, the senior " Ver- 

 mouth " bailiff invites the whole company to dinner, 

 and his co-partner afterwards to supper, " where in 

 most friendly manner they the whole day do royally 

 feast, and be very merry together." In the following 

 week there is another "Court day" and more feasting, 

 the junior " Vermouth " bailiff providing an " elegant 

 dinner," to which the aldermen of the town, " their 

 brethren, with their wives, be solemnly invited." 

 The bailiffs of the Cinque Ports also return the com- 

 pliment, generously entertaining not only the prin- 

 cipal inhabitants of the town, but also of the neigh- 

 bourhood. " Supporting the expense in a plentiful 

 manner, they commonly bring sixteen or eighteen 

 hogsheads of excellent beer from home with them." 



Two or three days before the departure of the 

 Cinque Port bailiffs, these, inviting their colleagues 

 of the town and " the substantialest sort of the in- 

 habitants of Vermouth, with their wives also, hold a 



