Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/133

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MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.

A Prospect of an Election.

[Thurfday, September 27, 1849.]

UP, and by Railway with Mr. Wagstaffe to Guzzleford to my Cosin Peg her Wedding, and did marvel to hear the Bells a ringing at 9 o'clock, the Marriage not to be till 11, but found they were rung for an Election; 'Squire Callow and Mr. Fairport ſtanding for County Members in the Room of Mr. Brownjohn. So, the Wedding over, and the Bride and Bridegroom drunk, and Mr. Wagstaffe did ſay, divers of the Company too, we about the Town to ſee the Fun. A Fellow the worſe for Beer demanding, as well as he could ſpeak, whoſe Colours we wore, meaning our Wedding-Favours, Mr. Wagstaffe did pleaſantly anſwer, Hymen's, whereupon the Fellow, crying "Callow for ever! " did ruſh full at us, but, we parting, ſlip between us and tumble headlong into the Mud. Good Lack! to ſee what Numbers of Ragamuffins everywhere with their Hats awry, Noſes bleeding, or Eyes blacked, ſtaggering under huge Placard Boards, whereon, in great Letters, "Callow and Agriculture," or, "Vote for Fairport and Commerce!" The Windows and Balconies full of Ladies, dreſſ mighty fine, and ſome pretty, to whom I did kiſs my Hand, and am glad my Wife was not nigh to ſee me. But to think of the Ladies wearing the Colours of the Candidates, Blue and Yellow, not caring a Pin what Politics either Colour meant, but only for an Excuſe to deck themſelves