AS PLAYED IN DUNSE ON FASTERn's EVE. 45 



with, the first is 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 

 informant states it as a very early recollection, that the whip-men 

 (carters) bought it for fifteen shillings, — a sum which, making allow- 

 ance for the difference of the value in money, shews the estimation in 

 which it was held. The children of the Drummelzier family, or of the 

 more respectable families in Dunse itself, have of late enjoyed the 

 honour, but it has not unfrequently been left to the ball-men them- 

 selves. 



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 

 object 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 un- 

 married men endeavoiu' to reach any mill in the parish, and put the 

 ball into the hopper. 



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

 determined, 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 

 fresh 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. 



