_(For the Mirror.)_
At Yarmouth, a person is selected from among those employed on the beach
during the fishing season, who is denominated the _Sea-side Mayor_, his
office being to inflict certain punishments and penalties on such
fishermen as are found guilty of pilfering herrings, &c.
The fishing commences in the latter part of September, a day or two
previous to which a procession goes round the town, the object and order
of which are as follow:--
A person grotesquely attired, and carrying a trident, to represent
Neptune,[3] precedes, followed by four or five men bearing colours with
inscriptions of "Prosperity to the town of Yarmouth." "Death to our best
Friends," (meaning the herrings), "Success to the Herring Fishery," &c.
Then follows a band of musicians. The Sea-side Mayor (dressed as a
sailor, and wearing a gilt chain around his neck) brings up the rear, in
a handsome boat built for the occasion, and borne on the shoulders of
ten or a dozen men, wearing white ribands on the breast of their jackets
and on their hats.
[3] An individual named Joseph Penny, was for many years the
representative of Neptune. He was a man of daring spirit, and
there are many living at this time who were indebted to his
intrepidity for being rescued from drowning. In the month of
November 1825, accompanied by his son, he went off from the
beach in an open boat, to a vessel in distress, soon after which
the boat was washed ashore, with the body of the son entangled
in the rigging; but the father was never again heard of.
In this order the procession calls at the shops of different
tradespeople, or any one at all connected with the herring fishery,
where they solicit contributions, and those who are disposed to be
liberal, are honoured with a tune from the musicians, and the cheering
of the mayor. After parading the town they retire to a tavern to dinner.
A great number of French and Dutch fishing boats resort to Yarmouth at
the herring fishing, and on the Sunday previous to the 21st of
September, "Dutch Fair," as it is denominated, is held on the beach, and
presents a novel and interesting appearance.
From twenty to thirty of their flat bottomed boats are run on shore at
high water, and as the tide recedes, are left high and dry. Dutch pipes,
dried flounders, wooden shoes, apples, and gingerbread, are then offered
for sale, and if the weather be fine, the beach is thronged with
company, many of whom come from a great distance.