Connected with the fairs is the so-called “Statutes,” a day in May for hiring servants. It was formerly the one general holiday in the year, but now that the Bank Holidays have been established, the statute-day is dwindling in its proportions. Of old all the servant girls, and all the clodhoppers from the country, used to gather in the town dressed in galore fashion, crowding the Bull-ring. Anyone who wanted a servant, as an old farmer once told the writer was his invariable custom, used to walk into the crowd and hire the first lass against whom he stumbled. The “fasten-penny,” a silver coin, was then given, and the bargain was then struck. Wild beast shows, and enormities such as lambs with two heads or a dozen legs, and other attractions, were provided, and the day ended with music and dancing at the different inns in the town; some of the proceedings having after-effects not desirable. At the present time, when there is more regard for our domestic servants and their characters, and cheap postage prevails, this mode of haphazard engagement has nearly died out, and the Statute will soon be a thing of the past. It was first enacted by Ed. III. in 1351; again by 13th Richard II., and, in later times, was held under “a precept” from the Chief Constable of the Division. To those who wish to read a humorous and graphic description of the doings on this day, in comparatively recent times, I would recommend the poem “Neddy and Sally; or, The Statute Day,” by John Brown, “the Horncastle Laureate, {184} of which I can here give only the opening lines, which breathe of the spirit inspiring the occasion. “Cum, Sall! It’s time we started now, Yon’s Farmer Haycock’s lasses reddy, An’ maister says he’ll milk the cow.” “He didn’t say soa, did he, Neddy?” “Yees! that he did; soa make thee haste; An’ get thee sen made smart an’ pritty; Wi’ yaller ribbon round thee waist; The same as owd Squire Lowden’s Kitty. And I’ll goa fetch my sister Bess; I’m sartin sewer she’s up an’ ready; Cum! gie’s a buss! Thou can’t do less.” Says Sally, “Noa, thou musn’t, Neddy.”