. 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. shes were teemed downnear the chapel gates. The old ones of last yearhaving been cleared out of the chapel, the new oneswere carried in, and carefully strewn in the bottom ofthe pews, aisles, etc. On this day, also, the band,accompanied by the pikemen carrying staves sur-mounted with brass eagles, perambulated the village,stopping nowhere, neither soliciting nor receiving anycontributions. The garlands which had adorned therush-be
. 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. shes were teemed downnear the chapel gates. The old ones of last yearhaving been cleared out of the chapel, the new oneswere carried in, and carefully strewn in the bottom ofthe pews, aisles, etc. On this day, also, the band,accompanied by the pikemen carrying staves sur-mounted with brass eagles, perambulated the village,stopping nowhere, neither soliciting nor receiving anycontributions. The garlands which had adorned therush-bearing were placed in the chapel, they were sus-pended on staves, which were fastened to the pillars infront of the lofts [galleries], where they remained tillthe next anniversary, when they were removed to makeroom for their successors, and although they somewhatintercepted the view of a portion of those who sat inthe galleries, yet no complaints were ever made. Onthe Sunday the morris-dancers, and other officialsconnected with the rush-bearing, all attended thechapel, when an appropriate sermon was preached. * Higsons History of Droylsden, 1859, pp. 65-66. K. THE RUSH-CART. 59 This day finished the wake, labour being everywhereresumed on the Monday. 1800. The wake was held, and the rush-cart madealternately at Edward Stannings, the Horse andFarrier, Bottom o th Brow, and William Shawcross,the George and Dragon (now Chapel House). 1804. At this time much attention was devoted tothe annual rush-bearing. Early on this auspiciousmorning, James Hibbert, of Fox Fold, and his assis-tants, might be observed preparing the rushes, andwhilst they were erecting the pyramid, and decking itout with silver plate, garlands, etc., the morris-dancerswere as eagerly decking themselves in their holidayattire, and neatly covering their clean white shirts andlight senglits with various-hued ribbons, neckbeads,and other trinkets. Choice horses were selected toconvey the rush-cart, the Gorton Band ac
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