Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1910 — The Glove of Welcome. [ARTICLE]

The Glove of Welcome.

A picture in a recent publication shows the window of a public building, from which protrudes a pole bearing a stuffed glove on its end. The illustration portrays a custom of an old English town which dates from remote timjs. F. J. Snell tells about it in “Memories of Old Devonshire.” Barnstaple Fair is still an important occasion, althougn its old glory has departed. It lasts for three days, and in former times as much as twenty thousand pounds were expended in the purchase of cattle. A great stag hunt Is one of the features of the occasion. The fair opens with a quaint ceremony. The mayor of Barnstaple provides a feast in the gildhall, and mulled ale, toast and cheese are served in the old civic plate. Then a large stuffed glove is shown above the door of the gildhall, as a sign of welcome extended to all visitors. While thin glove is displayed no arrests can be made in the town. , In the old town accounts may be found such records as thlB: “1615: Paide for glove to put out at Faire—4d.” For centuries Barnstaple Fair has been famous throughout all Devon and beyond, and its glories have passed into songs and ballads. Se&rrti the towns all round, there’s nothing can compare, miss, In measurement and merriment, with Barnstaple Fair, miss. Then sing of Barum, merrytown, and Barum’s merry mayor, too, I know no place in all the world old Barum to compare to!