414 Rev. J. W. Dunn on the Ancient Till of Warhworth. 



to the cultivation of the soil than to an amhitious craving for 

 earthly honours. Like Malvolio his honours had been " thrust 

 upon hira." As was customary, it became his duty at the 

 dinner to propose a toast. This was a thing he did not 

 distinctly understand, and it was some time before he com- 

 prehended that it was expected of him that he must get upon 

 his legs and express an earnest wish for the prosperity of 

 something that he valued. " Well then," he said, rather 

 nervously rising, after some shy delay, " Well then, I give 

 you the scribes," — a toast which was drunk with all applause. 

 Our Judge, not conversant with the village language, returned 

 thanks in many eloquent words for the honour done to his 

 profession. Alas ! after many days, he learnt that the scribes 

 were strips of freehold ground, on which the villagers planted 

 their potatoes. 



At the period of which I am speaking, it was the custom, 

 and had long been so, for the Steward of the Court, at a dance 

 given at the house of the Mayor, after this dinner, — and after 

 a procession of the freeholders, a huge bonfire at the cross, 

 and an illumination of the village, all of which still flourish 

 as fresh as ever, — to claim the privilege of saluting the wife 

 of the Mayor, and, indeed, any of the damsels present whom 

 he chose to select. On one occasion, the belle of the evening, 

 a very handsome girl, not approving of this tempting famili- 

 arity, gave our Judge a hearty box on the ear. He contented 

 himself with good humouredly calling her a striking beauty, 

 and seeking consolation amongst others less scrupulous. This 

 freedom of our borough ceased some years ago, under the 

 following circumstances. The Mayor for the year was a 

 retired officer. The Judge of the Court insisted upon his 

 immemorial rights, and, with the consent of the Mayor, pur- 

 sued the coy and unwilling Mayoress from side to side, and 

 from corner to corner, — reminding her continually of a certain 

 ancient custom which must be observed, — until at last he 

 succeeded by an efi'ort in obtaining the required salute. The 

 lady was so indignant that the Judges from that time forward 

 deemed it prudent to waive their rights of osculation. 



Years ago, an eccentric landlord of one of the village hostels 

 had occasion to bring a beer-bibbing burgager before the 

 Court of Warkworth for recovery of a score for numberless 

 quarts of John Barleycorn consumed. In order to prove his 

 claim, the landlord was directed by the Steward of the Court 

 to put in his account. Our friend disappeared for a time, 

 and eventually returned, bearing upon his broad shoulders 



