the "original Incorporation, " claimed all the
privileges held by the ancient Chapmen, and fixed the second
Tuesday of July for their annual " Fair day. "
The new Incorporation continued to flourish; and about the
middle of last century, when such circulars as the one heading
this chapter were being issued, the society was great, both
in wealth and prosperity, the late Duncan M'Laren, one of
the M. P. 's for the city of Edinburgh, being at that period
one of its most active members, and year after year, as sure
as the second Tuesday of July came round, as sure was he,
and some sixty or eighty brethren, to journey by rail to the
old Cross at Preston.
THE CHAPMEN'S LOUP.
Mr Hume, proprietor of Preston Lodge, was appointed custodian
of the Cross, etc. He was a most enthusiastic member of the
society, and not only did he see to having everything in order
for the annual gathering, but in order to give the brethren
a hearty welcome he had a round tower constructed in his garden.
On this tower he mounted seven small pieces of artillery,
and as soon as the train dashed into the station their welcome
was belched forth from the cannon's mouth. Not only did Mr
Hume construct a small fortalice in his garden, but he purchased
a pair of beautiful lions to guard it. They were very tame
animals, and were never known to growl but when they heard
the cannons firing. That pair of lions escaped one night,
and they may now be observed standing peacefully watching
on the eastern dyke at Morton Cottage, east of Port Seton,
where they never wink an eye till they hear the auld kirk
bell at Cockeny ringin'. But to our tale.
The Chapmen, on getting outside the station, linked arm in
arm in pairs, and followed the directions of John Smith. John
was very squint-eyed. He was said to hold some place of trust
in Parliament Square, Edinburgh, and had become well known
at Preston through his connection with the Chapmen. Arrayed
in a high cocked hat, fancy-coloured coat and vest, tight-fitting
knee breeches, and with sword in hand, he marched proudly
at the head of the procession. After parading the village,
on coming to the Cross, John raised his sword, and the processionists
going beneath passed up the little stair leading to the platform,
which was fitted with table and seats for the occasion.
The book containing the names of the members, etc., was laid
on the table alongside the sword, and the secretary, proclaiming
the meeting open, announced flourishing reports of the Incorporation's
possessions in India, Ceylon, China, Australia, etc., causing
no end of laughter, because the Association had no possessions
at all.
The election of office-bearers then proceeded. First, the
"Lord of the Chapmen, " who was invested with the
"chain of office"—the "brilliant" which
casts the Koh-i-noor into the shade, and suspended from which
hangs the " sacred tuft, " or " mysterious
cow-tail, " whose curative properties surpassed in virtue
all the fabled stories of the " royal touch. " His
head was then decked with the diadem, each pearl a king's
Besides " My Lord, " there fell to be elected a
Depute and six Bailies, to each of whom was assigned a district,
and sundry Councillors. Their duty was to attend fairs where
Chapmen erected booths, and see that their bye-laws and rules
were duly observed during the fair. Each one gave the bailie
a pledge, and appeared before him at night, when the conduct
of all was examined, and defaulters fined or expelled, according
to circumstances. The fines went to a fund to support decayed
brethren. The late Rev. Dr Struthers was annually elected
Chaplain to the Association.
After the election the Society marched round the Cross, concluding
that part of the business by discussing sundry bottles of
wine, when the "Chapmen's Loup" began in real earnest
in the form of sports; for by this time, as a rule, a great
crowd had gathered in the market-place.
The following notice of the sports we quote from one who was
there: —"'My Lord' adjourned the Court till after the
races, and accordingly the brethren proceeded to the race
ground, accompanied and followed by the entire villagers.
Not having seen the races advertised, and as the officer stood
hat in hand to receive the offerings of the brethren, from
the aggregate of which the various 'plates, ' 'stakes, ' and
'handicaps' were to be paid, and having observed no grooms
exercising ' thoro-breds' in the neighbourhood, we felt curious
to be forward, both for the sake of the spectacle, and to
be beyond reach of danger should any of the horses bolt or
become unmanageable. We were greatly relieved on beholding
one of the brethren patting three white-headed rogues on the
head, and laying down to them the rules of the course, which,
we doubt not, were the latest imported from Newmarket.
" The first race ended, and the winner having pocketed
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