PAGEANTS, MASKINGS, AND MUMMINGS.
INTRODUCTION.
These formed a very imposing if not important part of the festal celebrations of old Lancashire. The only one of them which retains anything of its ancient splendour and reputation is the Preston Guild, held every twenty years, during which that town is the scene of great rejoicings and festivities, with various pageants and processions during several days, together with dinners, balls, concerts, and various kinds of outdoor games and sports. The "ale-gysts" and the "guisings" are fast passing away, and the "rush-bearings" are only now to be seen at a few places in the county, though formerly almost every parish had its rush-cart and rush-bearing festival.
