not receive pay, but enjoy certain immunities from taxes and militia service.
The parade day of the fire companies of a town is considered as a fête, the companies of other towns are invited to attend, and test the qualities of their respective engines in a trial as to which can throw the highest stream of water. At a meeting of firemen, held in Newhaven, thirty-six companies attended, each dressed in a distinctive uniform, and averaging about fifty strong.
A prize was given to the company whose engine succeeded in throwing the highest stream of water.
The engines played against a pole 150 feet high, through hose 450 feet long. Two engines, one having a 10-inch, the other an 8-inch cylinder, threw a stream 143 feet high, and carried off each a prize. These engines, however, were surpassed the following day by another engine with a 10-inch cylinder, which threw a stream over the pole.
