WHERE ARE THE GUYS?

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 8

WHERE ARE THE GUYS?

OLD CUSTOM*IS DYING NO LONGER “THE GLORIOUS FIFTH '* “ Please to remember, the Fifth of November ” There was a time when that song roused many from their slumbers -in the early hours of November 5, but as the years pass fewer boys take advantage of a privilege that has been theirs for generations. > Guy Fawkes Day is becoming a thing of the past. A few years ago there were disreputable “ guys ” escorted through the city streets, and in some instances these effigies of Guido Fawkes were burnt in the evening. With the passing of the guy came the era of blackened faces and father’s gardening trousers and old coat. The ageold plea of a “penny for the guy ’* was still to be heard, though the guy was entirely non-existent. But even that phase is dying, ' and few youngsters were seen about to-day begging pennies. Children to-day generally seem to have more money than those of yesterday, and possibly therein lies one of the reasons for the lack of interest displayed in November 5. After all, the various systems adopted were just forms of begging, and from that point of view doubtless are better dropped. At the same time there is. something sad in seeing old customs die away, and it is a certainty that no one begrudged pennies when there was something to see for those pennies. In other words, when “ guys ” were made and trundled about the streets in home-made handcarts donors were, in one sense, rewarding ingenuity and inventiveness. That feeling did not exist when the “ guy ” was no longer a material thing. Public interest died and givers of pennies became few and far between. And so as pennies became harder to obtain small boys’ attractions for the day became less. Possibly that is another reason for the demise of Guy Fawkes Day as a national custom. The Gunpowder Plot dates back to 1605, when an attempt was made to blow up the Houses of Parliament. When James I. ascended the throne of England he soon showed that promises made the Catholics before his accession, were not going to be kept. Considering him a traitor to their cause, certain men, Robert Catesby, Thomas Winter, and John Wright, conceived the plan of blowing up the Houses of Parliament when they were opened by the King. They enlisted the services of Guido Fawkes, who had considerable knowledge of gunpowder, having worked with it during wars in Flanders. A letter was sent to Lord. Monteagle, a Catholic, who was to be present at the opening celebrations. This letter warned him not to be present, as a terrible blow was about to befall Parliament. Monteagle spoke of this letter and the plot was revealed. Almost in the nick of time Guido Fawkes was arrested. Nearly all the members of the plot were subsequently hanged. Following this November 5 • was ordeied to be held as a day of thanksgiving throughout tho country, but this Act was repealed a few years later. On the day effigies of Guido Fawkes were paraded through town and village streets and afterwards burnt. Although the Act was repealed within a few years the_ custom had caught on and was continued up till the last few years, but there is little doubt it is losing popularity in England and throughout the Empire Various commercial attemps are being made to reinstate the day locally,one of the methods adopted being the sale of fireworks, which is increasing each year. This year sales have been higher than in any prlvious year, and indications point to its being rather a noisy Fifth One major commemorating event will be held this when a business house will stage a bonfire of old mattresses on the foreshore.-