Then come one and all, At Hymen's soft call, From Whitehaven, Workington, Harrington, Dean, Haile, Ponsonby, Blaing, and all places between; From Egremont, Cockermouth, Parton, Saint Bees, Dint, Kinneyside, Calder, and parts joining these; And the country at large may flock if they please. Such sports there will be as have seldom been seen-- Such Wrestling, and Fencing, and Dancing between; And Races for Prizes, and Frolic and Fun, By Horses, by Asses, and Dogs will be run:-- And you'll all go home happy--as sure as a gun. In a word--such a Wedding can ne'er fail to please, For the Sports of Olympus were trifles to these. _Nota Bene_--You'll please to observe that the Day Of this grand Bridal Pomp is the thirtieth of May; When 'tis hop'd that the sun to enliven the sight, Like the Flambeau of Hymen, will deign to burn bright. Lamplugh, May 20th, 1786. The next one which we shall quote, contents itself with a plain prose description of the various attractions. Richard and Ann Allason present their compliments to their Friends and the Public in general, and beg leave to inform them that they intend to have a BRIDEWAIN at Southwaite, in the Parish of Brigham, on Thursday, the 25th day of May, instant. There will be the following Sports--such as Horse Races, Dog Races, Wrestling, Jumping, and Foot Races, &c., &c., &c., and various other amusements too tedious to mention, to entertain them; and they will think themselves happy with their attendance. Southwaite, 1st May, 1809. The last Bridewain notice we shall give celebrates the marriage of Henry and Sarah Robinson of High Lorton, near Cockermouth, on June 6th, 1811. This advertisement flows into sprightly verse as follows:-- 'Tis Love, immortal Power! gives birth To healthful Sports and Sprightliest Mirth. Awhile your Drudgery and Pains Forego, ye jocund Nymphs and Swains. We think it only Right to acquaint ye, That each sort may get Sweethearts plenty! For those who Pastime love and Fun, We've Horses, Dogs, and Men to Run; Athletic Sports we'll set before ye, And Heats renown'd in Ancient Story;-- Leaping and Wrestling for the Strong, Enough to please you--_Come Along!_ Professor Wilson--himself a proficient in the noble pastime, and whose great literary attainments assisted materially to elevate _Blackwood's Magazine_ to the proud eminence it attained in his time,--pays in its pages the following eloquent tribute to Wrestling, which was, in his younger days, the principal athletic exercise in the North of England.