About a dozen of the farmers, on horseback, rode by the
side of the vehicles; and in this order, with the accompaniment of a
bugle in the hay van, and a couple of blind fiddlers scraping on the
centre of the roof of the hearse, did we sally forth in most grotesque
order, amid the joyous acclamations of the multitude, on our way to
Berkeley, every countenance portraying exultation and good-humour, and
every where upon the road meeting with a corresponding welcome. A more
humorous or whimsical procession cannot well be imagined, men, animals,
and vehicles being perfectly unique. By the time we had reached our
destination, the potent effects of the Gloucester ale, added to the
smoking and vociferous expressions of joy that attended us throughout,
had left very few of our rustic friends without the visible and outward
signs of their inward devotions to the jolly god. On our arrival near to
Berkeley, we were met by crowds of the joyous inhabitants, and proceeded
onward to the spot selected for the festive scene, where we found the
bullock already roasting on the top of the hill, and where also they had
pitched a tent, and brought some small cannon, with which they fired
a _feu de joie_ on our arrival, taking special care to point their
artillery in the direction of the vicar's residence.
Pages:
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864