172 THE BATH ROAD 



school and workliouse clnldreii. The riohts of office 

 having been duly vested in them by means of strange 

 customs and exhortation, the two favoured ones start 

 off down the High Street on their kissing mission, 

 followed by the orange-bearer and greeted wdth the 

 cheers of the assembled people. One by one the 

 houses are entered, and the custom observed both in 

 spirit and letter ; nor is it confined to the young 

 and comely, for the old dames of Hungerford would 

 deem themselves, if not insulted, at least sadly 

 neglected, were the tutti-men to pass their houses un* 

 entered. Usually these officers find little difficulty in 

 carrying out their pleasant duties, but sometimes the 

 excitement is increased by some coy maiden, whose 

 rustic simplicity prompts her to run away or hide. 

 But as a sjeneral rule the ladies of Huno-erford show 

 very little objection to the observance of the ancient 

 customs, so that the labours of the tutti-men are 

 considerablv liohtened. 



Thus, amid laughter, merriment, and mock- serious- 

 ness, the fun is continued until about half the borough 

 is visited, by whicli time the tutti-men have taken 

 care that all the duty kisses that should gratify the 

 ancient inhabitants have been administered, as well as 

 certain others that arc more a pleasure than a duty. 

 Certainly they deserve well of the town, for the tutti- 

 men go through a good day's work by the time dinner 

 is served. Then, in accordance with the time-honoured 

 precedent, the Chief Constable is elected into the chair ; 

 the great bowd of punch is ^jlaced on the table after 

 dinner, and the various offices toasted and replied for. 

 One is drunk in solemn silence — that of John of 



