of the several Widows, forfeited to the Lord, and accordingly would have enter’d on the Premises:  Upon which the good Women demanded the Benefit of the Ram.  The Steward, after having perused their several Pleas, adjourn’d the Court to Barnaby-bright [3], that they might have Day enough before them.

’The Court being set, and filled with a great Concourse of People, who came from all Parts to see the Solemnity, the first who entered was the Widow Frontly, who had made her Appearance in the last Year’s Cavalcade.  The Register observes, that finding it an easy Pad-Ram, and foreseeing she might have further Occasion for it, she purchased it of the Steward.

’Mrs. Sarah Dainty, Relict of Mr. John Dainty, (who was the greatest Prude in the Parish) came next in the Procession.  She at first made some Difficulty of taking the Tail in her Hand; and was observed in pronouncing the Form of Penance, to soften the two most emphatical Words into Clincum Clancum:  But the Steward took care to make her speak plain English before he would let her have her Land again.

’The third Widow that was brought to this worldly Shame, being mounted upon a vicious Ram, had the Misfortune to be thrown by him; upon which she hoped to be excused from going thro’ the rest of the Ceremony:  But the Steward being well versed in the Law, observed very wisely upon this Occasion, that the breaking of the Rope does not hinder the Execution of the Criminal.

’The fourth Lady upon Record was the Widow Ogle, a famous Coquette, who had kept half a Score young Fellows off and on for the Space of two Years; but having been more kind to her Carter John, she was introduced with the Huzza’s of all her Lovers about her.

  ’Mrs. Sable appearing in her Weeds, which were very new and fresh,
  and of the same Colour with her whimsical Palfrey, made a very
  decent Figure in the Solemnity.

  ’Another, who had been summoned to make her Appearance, was excused by
  the Steward, as well knowing in his Heart, that the good Squire
  himself had qualified her for the Ram.

’Mrs. Quick having nothing to object against the Indictment, pleaded her Belly.  But it was remembred that she made the same Excuse the Year before.  Upon which the Steward observ’d, that she might so contrive it, as never to do the Service of the Manor.

’The Widow Fidget being cited into Court, insisted that she had done no more since the Death of her Husband, than what she used to do in his Life-time; and withal desir’d Mr. Steward to consider his own Wife’s Case, if he should chance to die before her.

’The next in order was a Dowager of a very corpulent Make, who would have been excused as not finding any Ram that was able to carry her;