. Rush-bearing: an account of the old custom of strewing rushes; carrying rushes to church; the rush-cart; garlands in churches; morris-dancers; the wakes; the rush. t had beenwell oiled several times in order to make it pliable,and was a most formidable implement. The band now collected, consisting of two fifers and a drummer,and, everything being ready, the men laid hold of theshafts, the boys began girding, or straining at theropes, the word neaw lads was given, and for amoment quietness reigned, but the music struck up,the men shouted, the cart gave a slight heave, and thenrose up to the l
. Rush-bearing: an account of the old custom of strewing rushes; carrying rushes to church; the rush-cart; garlands in churches; morris-dancers; the wakes; the rush. t had beenwell oiled several times in order to make it pliable,and was a most formidable implement. The band now collected, consisting of two fifers and a drummer,and, everything being ready, the men laid hold of theshafts, the boys began girding, or straining at theropes, the word neaw lads was given, and for amoment quietness reigned, but the music struck up,the men shouted, the cart gave a slight heave, and thenrose up to the level ground as the strain told. Tillnow there had been but little noise, but as soon as thecart began to move freely a most extraordinary sightpresented itself, for the music changing to the old rush-cart tune, a cheer was given, and instantly the wholeof the drawers commenced to dance, if such it may betermed, or rather capered most vigorously, at the sametime swaying from side to side of the road, and carry-ing the stretchers high above their heads. The cartwas now run into the square, where it was greeted witha cheer from the crowd assembled to witness the. 88 RUSH-BEARING. spectacle. Here a rest was taken, beer served round,and the cart and its ornaments criticised by the on-lookers. The scene which presented itself was an extremelypicturesque one. On one side of the square runs thehigh road, lined on one side with stalls and booths ofvarious descriptions, containing nuts, gingerbread, hot-peas, toys, and pots. The square itself was filled withother stalls of a similar character, swing-boats, and amerry-go-round, whilst the whole was backed by theclean-looking grey stone houses, above which towereda couple of factory chimneys, the blue hills in thedistance just giving it a rural look, and leading themind to the quieter scenes beyond. * Having refreshed themselves, and decided on theroute to be taken, the carter cracked his whip, the bandstruck up The girl I left behind me,
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidrushbearingaccou00burt
