_(To the Editor of the Mirror.)_
I have been amused by the accounts given in a former volume of the
MIRROR, of the curious custom called "Stanging;" may I be allowed to
edge in a few words descriptive of a ceremony belonging to the same
order, which prevails in my native county, (Dorset), instituted and
practised on the same occasions as those mentioned in vol. xii., but
differing from them in many material points, and in my opinion partaking
more of the theatrical cast than either of those two mentioned by your
correspondents. Having been an eye witness to one or two of these
exhibitions, I am enabled to give an accurate account of the same. The
name which they give to this ceremony, as near as I can make out from
the pronunciation, is _Skimington Riding_; the origin of which name I
have endeavoured in vain to ascertain. The ceremony commences by two
fellows armed with stump brooms mounting on a ladder borne by four or
five more of the crowd, when sitting back to back, they commence a
fierce attack on each other with the brooms over their shoulders,
maintaining at the same time as the procession advances, a scolding
dialogue, or rather duet; one of them squeaking to represent the angry
tones of the better half, while the other growls his complaints an
octave below. In this manner, accompanied by the shouts of the crowd,
the rattling of old tin kettles, and the blowing of cow's horns,
producing altogether a horrible din, they parade before the dwelling
house of some peace-breaking couple; and should they be in possession of
any word or words made use of by the unhappy pair in their squabbles,
you may be sure such expressions are repeated with all due emphasis by
the performers on the (stage) ladder. After making as much noise as they
possibly can before the fated dwelling, where they sometimes meet with a
most ungracious reception, they proceed in the same style through all
the streets of the parish in order that the whole place may be apprized
of the conduct of the offending couple; and they keep up the game as
long as they possibly can.
_Sturminster._