A list of the Grand Traditions of the World would not be complete were it not to include the ancient rite of Passing the Berries. Those unfamiliar with the subtleties and skill inherent in a successful passing cannot appreciate the grace and effortless beauty revealed in this old and noble custom.
It began, of course, in Scotland in 1687 when the second Laird of Argyle, Angus MacStewart, journeyed to Edinburgh in the middle of a thunderstorm and passed the first public berry. Since then, there has not been a day in Scotland when berries have not been passed.
Perhaps the most celebrated berry passing took place in 1888. The old Oxford and Cambridge rivalry had spilled over into Berry Passing and, as one might expect, spirits ran high in the weeks preceding the annual competition.
As the exhibition got underway, the Cambridge team raced out with a tremendous early lead, having passed an astonishing seven and two-thirds quarts in the first period! It was more than the Oxford passers could handle, and they conceded defeat before the gong rang out in the seventh period. (Controversy surrounded this decision, mainly because Archibald Swift, Oxford’s most brilliant passer, had not yet appeared in the match. It was common knowledge that Swift alone was capable of passing three and one-half quarts in less than two periods!)
Weeks later it was revealed that the tremendous upset was due in part to foul play. Although the decision was eventually reversed, the MacStewart Trophy never made it’s way to the Oxford squad, shrouding the history of the event in a certain noir light and elevating the rivalry between the two schools to heights never before imagined.
A salute, then, to berry passing—and berry passers—wherever they may be.
The End
© 2010 Tom Roy
No comments:
Post a Comment