As to the fool's properties, he always carries, after the time-honoured
fashion of the clown, a bladder swinging on the end of a stick, or ladle;
in some parts, even to-day, he is observing custom if he has a cow's tail
on the other end: this to be used also to whack the unsuspecting
looker-on.
The hobby-horse is, fundamentally, of wicker or some stout fabric stayed
with wood, having a hole from which its rider, or footman, emerges to the
waist, and is slung upon his shoulders in the familiar manner. The
horse's head and tail, a pair of stockings stuffed and shod--and
ludicrously disproportionate to the bulk of the horseman; the bit and
bridle and caparison, may all be fashioned according to the horseman's
humour.
* * * * *
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