| Citation |
BNL.732.021
23-30 Nov 1732:21 (1505)
Marlborough [England] August 22. We have an account from
Preston in Lancashire, that a merry wedding was celebrated
there a few days since between two beggars, whose ages made
160 together; they were usher'd from church to Walton, about
a mile from that place, by about thirty of the same
fraternity, most with crutches; among them were seven bag
pipers, and one who play'd on a bladder marine. A dinner
was provided for the guests of roast mutton, with thirty
pound of potatoes, and a large salmon, thirty pound of
cheese, and eight pound of butter for the second course, &
bread in proportion and a gallon of strong beer each: and
one hundred yards of ribbon were distributed in favours:
The whole was carried on with a great deal of mirth and
jollity, the cripples throwing away their crutches and
dancing, till the beer got into their heads, when they went
to fighting, but parted without further loss of limbs. The
marriage was consummated in a barn by the side of an hay
mow, which in the night fell on the new married couple, who
calling out for assistance, a person that was passing by
went in and removed the hay and took them out almost
smother'd.
|