1700.

Stage Plays and Interludes.—The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen resolved that no booths should be permitted to be erected in Smithfield this year; but on the 6th August it was announced that “the lessees of West Smithfield having on Friday last represented to the Court of Aldermen at Guildhall that it would be highly injurious to them to have the erection of all booths there totally prohibited, the Right Hon. Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen have, in consideration of the premises, granted licence to erect some booths during the time of Bartholomew Fair now approaching: but none are permitted for music-booths, or any that may be means to promote debauchery.” And on the 23rd, when the Lord Mayor went on horseback to proclaim the Fair, he ordered two music-booths to be taken down immediately.

1701. On the 4th June this year the Grand Jury of Middlesex made a presentment to the following effect:—

“Whereas we have seen a printed order of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen the 25th June 1700, to prevent the great profaneness, vice, and debauchery, so frequently used and practised in Bartholomew Fair, by strictly charging and commanding all persons concerned in the said fair, and in the sheds and booths to be erected and built therein or places adjacent, that they do not let, sell, or hire, or use any booth, shed, stall, or other erection whatsoever to be used or employed for interludes, stage-plays, comedies, gaming-places, lotteries, or music meetings: and as we are informed the present Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen have passed another order to the same effect on the 3rd instant; we take this occasion to return our most hearty thanks for their religious care and great zeal in this matter; we esteeming a renewal of their former practices at the Fair a continuing one of the chiefest miseries of vice next to the Play-Houses; therefore earnestly desire that the said orders may be vigorously prosecuted, and that this honourable Court would endeavor that the said fair may be employed to those good ends and purposes it was at first designed.”

In the “Postman,” of September, appeared the following advertisement: “The tiger in Bartholomew Fair, that yesterday gave such satisfaction to persons of all qualities by pulling the feathers so nicely from live fowls, will, at the request of several persons, do the same thing this day; price, 6d. each.”

There was published this year for R. Hine near the Royal Exchange, “A Walk to Smithfield, or a True Description of the Humours of Bartholomew Fair, with the very comical Intrigues and Frolics that are acted in every particular Booth in the Fair, by persons of all ages and sexes, from the Court Gallant to the Country Clown. With the Old Droll-Players’ Lamentation for the loss of their Yearly Revenues: being very Pleasing and Diverting.”

It seems that at this period the principal London theatres closed during the fair. This was so with Drury Lane in 1702; and also with several of the theatres during May Fair. See 1714.

1703. In the “Observator” of August 21 this year was the following:

Does this market of lewdness tend to anything else but the ruin of the bodies, and souls and estates, of the young men and women of the City of London, who here meet with all the temptations to destruction? The Lotteries, to ruin their estates; the drolls, comedies, interludes, and farces to poison their minds, &c.; and in the cloisters what strange medley of lewdness has not that place long since afforded? Lords and ladies, aldermen and their wives, ’squires and fiddlers, citizens and rope-dancers, jack-puddings and lawyers, mistresses and maids, masters and ’prentices! This is not an ark, like Noah’s which received the clean and the unclean; only the unclean beasts enter this ark, and such as have the devil’s livery on their backs!

1707. This year a well-known theatrical manageress, Mrs. Mynn, produced a new version of the “Siege of Troy,” reduced from five to three acts, by the aged actor, Settle. The piece was printed with the following introduction:—

A Printed Publication of an Entertainment performed on a Smithfield stage, which, how gay or richly soever set off, will hardly reach to a higher Title than the customary name of a Droll, may seem somewhat new. But as the present undertaking, the work of ten Months’ preparation, is so extraordinary a performance, that without Boast or Vanity we may modestly say, In the whole several Scenes, Movements, and Machines, it is noways Inferiour even to any one Opera yet seen in either of the Royal Theatres; we are therefore under some sort of necessity to make this Publication, thereby to give ev’n the meanest of our audience a full Light into all the Object they will there meet in this expensive Entertainment; the proprietors of which have adventur’d to make, under small Hopes, That as they yearly see some of their happier Bretheren Undertakers in the Fair, more cheaply obtain even the Engrost Smiles of the Gentry and Quality at so much an easier Price; so on the other side their own more costly Projection (though less Favourites) might possibly attain to that good Fortune, at least to attract a little share of the good graces of the more Honourable part of the Audience, and perhaps be able to purchase some of those smiles which elsewhere have been thus long the profuser Donation of particular Affection of Favour.

There was also published “The Cloyster in Bartholomew Fair; or, The Town-Mistress Disguis’d.” London, Printed for A. Bancks, near Fleet Street. A Poem. 8vo. 8 leaves.

Limiting the Duration of the Fair.—1708. On the 2nd June this year the Court of Common Council passed the following resolution:—

This Court taking notice that the Fair of St. Bartholomew according to the original Grant thereof, ought to be holden annually three days and no longer. And that by Continuing the said Fair to Fourteen days, as of late hath been practised, and the erecting and setting up Booths in Smithfield of extraordinary largeness not occupied by dealers in Goods, merchandises, &c., proper for a fair; but used chiefly for Stage-plays, Musick and Tipling (being so many receptacles of vicious and disorderly Persons) Lewdness and Debauchery have apparently increased, Tumults and Disorders frequently arisen, and the Traffick of the said Fair, by the Traders and Fair-keepers resorting thereto, greatly interrupted and diminished. After long debate, and serious consideration had of the same, and being desirous to put a Stop (so far as in them lies) to the further spreading of Wickedness and Vice, to preserve the Peace of Her Majesty’s Subjects, and restore the said Fair to its primitive Institution, and the Traders resorting thither to the full enjoyment of their Trades, without any hindrance or obstruction. And this Court being of opinion, that no ways will be so effectual for the end aforesaid as reducing the said Fair to its ancient time of continuance, doth unanimously resolve, and so Order that for the future, the said Fair shall be kept Three days only, and no longer (that is to say) on the Eve of St. Bartholomew, that Day and the Morrow after being the 23rd, 24th and 25 days of August, of which all persons concerned are to take Notice and Govern themselves accordingly. See 1750.

On the 3rd July, same year, the Common Council considered certain strong petitions for the revocation of this Order. The result is seen in the following announcement, which appeared in the “Gazette” of 2nd August:—

The Committee for letting the City’s Land in the Account of the Chamberlain of the City of London give notice, That the Fair, commonly call’d Bartholomew Fair, annually held in West Smithfield in London is from henceforth to be held three Days and no longer [days specified] and that the said Committee will sit every Wednesday at three of the Clock in the afternoon, to Lett and Dispose of the Ground in West Smithfield, to persons resorting to the said Fair; of which more particular information may be had at the Comptroler’s Office in the Guildhall of the said City.

Same year a person did penance in the Chapter House of St. Paul’s for publicly showing in the Fair a Blow-Book in which were many filthy and obscene pictures. The book was likewise burned, and the offender paid the costs.

The first travelling menagerie seems now to have appeared in this fair, and attracted considerable attention. It stood near the hospital gate. “Sir Hans Sloane cannot be supposed to have missed such an opportunity of studying animals little known, as he is said to have constantly visited the fair for that purpose, and to have retained the services of a draughtsman for their representation.” (Frost.)

It may be noted that wild beasts had been kept at the Tower certainly from 1253 downwards.

1709. There was published “Bart’lemy Fair: or an Enquiry after Wit; in which due Respect is had to a Letter concerning Enthusiasm, To my Lord —. By Mr. Wotton. London Printed for R. Wilkin, at the King’s Head in St. Paul’s Church-Yard.” This 8vo. pamphlet of 175 pages contains no reference to the fair, and probably only took its title from reference to the disputations there conducted, and of which I have spoken.

1710. There was a curious half-sheet octavo tract, printed this year, entitled “The Wonders of England, containing Dogget and Penkethman’s Dialogue with Old Nick, on the suppression of Bartholomew Fair in Smithfield.” The title enumerates several other strange and wonderful matters, as being contained in the book, but, like the showman’s painted cloths in the fair, pictures monsters not visible within; so there is not a line in the tract respecting the suppression of the fair. Yet

1711. It seems probable that in 1691, or 1694, when the Corporation took steps to limit the period of the fair, that a printed statement of the reasons therefor was issued for the edification of the public mind. At all events during the present year there appeared: “Reasons Formerly published for the Punctual Limiting of Bartholomew Fair to those Three Days to which it is determined by the Royal Grant of it to the City of London. New reprinted with Additions, to prevent a Design set on Foot to procure an Establishment of the said Fair for Fourteen Days. Humbly Addressed to the present Right Honorable the Lord Mayor to the Worshipful Court of Aldermen, and to the Common Council of the said City. London Printed in the year 1711.”

1714. It had become the custom for the stars of Drury Lane, Covent Garden, the Haymarket, Lincoln’s Fields, and Goodman’s Fields theatres to enter into engagements to act in the theatrical booths in Smithfield, and probably also in Southwark; and a rich “benefit” they made, sometimes by acting, but more generally by becoming partners in a company organized for the purposes of the fair. Recruits were brought up from the provincial theatres, and thus became familiar to London audiences.

1715. In “Dawk’s News Letter” it is recorded, “On Wednesday Bartholomew Fair began, to which we hear the greatest number of black cattle (Welsh?) was brought that was ever known.” There was this year at the fair the largest booth ever built—it was for the King’s players! It had become the custom to represent all the great sieges in which England had been concerned at the shows in the fair: hence, perhaps, something was done towards fostering a martial spirit, not without its advantages in a national sense.

1719. The restriction of the fair to three days, we are informed, had long been overruled by the public voice. There were this year twenty licensed dice and hazard tables in the fair.

1730. There was printed in the “Daily Post” for the 31st August the following:—

“These are to give notice to all Ladies, Gentlemen and others That, at the end of Hosier Lane in Smithfield are to be seen during the time of the Fair, Two Rattle Snakes, one a very large size, and rattles that you may hear him at a quarter of a mile about, and something of Musick, that grows on the tails thereof; of divers colours, forms and shapes, with darts that they extend out of their mouths, almost two inches long. They were taken on the mountains of Leamea. A Fine Creature, of a small size, taken in Mocha, that burrows under ground. It is of divers colours, and very beautiful. The teeth of a dead Rattle Snake to be seen and handled, with the rattles. A Sea Snail, taken on the coast of India. Also the horn of a Flying Buck. Together with a curious collection of Animals and of Insects from all parts of the World. To be seen without Loss of time.”

This seems to have been a very rude attempt at teaching natural history.

1731. The only recorded instance of fire breaking out in the fair occurred this year. The damage resulting was small. (See 1810.)

1733. It was about this date that Fielding the novelist commenced public life, by keeping a play-booth in this fair.

The Strolling Player.—The life of a strolling play-manager, attending fairs and such like places of amusement, was one of much incident, and certainly had its comical side. Here is the account of one as given by himself:—“I will, as we say, take you behind the scenes. First then, a valuable actor must sleep in the pit, and wake early to sweep the theatre, and throw fresh sawdust into the boxes; he must shake out the dresses, and wind up and dust the motion-jacks; he must teach the dull ones how to act, rout up the idlers from the straw, and redeem those that happen to get into the watch-house. Then, sir, when the fair begins, he should sometimes walk about the stage grandly and show his dress: sometimes he should dance with his fellows; sometimes he should sing; sometimes he should blow the trumpet; sometimes he should laugh and joke with the crowd, and give them a kind of touch-and-go speech, which keeps them merry and makes them come in. Then, sir, he should sometimes cover his state robe with a great coat, and go into the crowd, and shout opposite his own booth, like a stranger who is struck with its magnificence: by the way, sir, that is a good trick, I never knew it fail to make an audience; and then he has only to steal away and mount his stage and strut, and dance and sing and trumpet, and roar over again.”—“Every-Day Book,” i. 1243.

1735. The practice had been to grant licences for the fair for fourteen days. The Court of Aldermen now resolved: That Bartholomew Fair shall not exceed Bartholomew Eve, Bartholomew Day, and the next morrow, and shall be restricted to the sale of goods, wares, and merchandises, usually sold in fairs, and no acting shall be permitted therein. It was known, too, that sir John Barnard intended rigorously to enforce the Licensing Act. There was in consequence no theatrical booths, and hence the most harmless portion of the amusement was absent.

1736. Theatrical booths were permitted again this year.

1739. The fair was extended to four days, and more theatrical booths attended in consequence.

In the “Farrago; or, Miscellanies in Verse and Prose” [by Richard Barton?], there is included (pp. 49-58) a piece entitled “Bartholomew Fair,” from which we take the following:—

1740. The Prince of Wales visited the fair—not, indeed, for the first time, but with more state than on any previous occasion. An account of the visit was published some years afterwards in the “New European Magazine,” from which the following details are drawn:—

The shows were all in full blast and the crowd at its thickest, when the multitude behind was impelled violently forward; a broad blaze of red light issued from a score of flambeaux, streamed into the air; several voices were loudly shouting, “Room there for Prince George! Make way for the Prince!” as there was that long sweep heard to pass over the ground which indicates the approach of a grand and ceremonious train. Presently the pressure became much greater, the voices louder, the light stronger, and as the train came onward, it might be seen that it consisted, first, of a party of the yeomen of the guard, clearing the way; then several more of them bearing flambeaux, and flanking the procession; while in the midst of it appeared a tall, fair, and handsome young man, having something of a plump foreign visage, seemingly about four-and-thirty, dressed in a ruby-coloured frock-coat, very richly guarded with gold lace, and having his long flowing hair curiously curled over his forehead and at the sides, and finished with a very large bag and courtly queue behind. The air of dignity with which he walked; the blue ribbon and star and garter with which he was decorated; the small three-cornered silk hat which he wore, whilst all around him were uncovered; the numerous suite, as well of gentlemen as of guards, which marshalled him along; the obsequious attention of a short, stout person, who, by his flourishing manner, seemed to be a player—all these particulars indicated that the amiable Frederick, Prince of Wales, was visiting Bartholomew Fair by torchlight, and that Manager Rich was introducing his royal guest to all the entertainments of the place.

This event gave fashion to the fair, and, indeed, it had never been considered derogatory for persons in the first rank and fashion to partake in the broad humour and theatrical amusements of the place. We have already seen that many of the theatrical celebrities of the day “starred” in Smithfield, and many who afterwards became famous first trod the boards here.

The theatrical licences were extended to three weeks and a month at this fair.

1750. Alderman Blackford being mayor, he proclaimed in the middle of July his determination to reduce the fair to its original three days, and to use the powers of the Licensing Act (10 Geo. II.) for the more effectual punishment of rogues and vagabonds. He herein acted upon the representation of more than a hundred of the chief graziers, salesmen, and inhabitants of Smithfield, who complained that the “insolent violation of the law” by the fair people not only encouraged profligacy, but also obstructed business for six weeks! The time occupied in putting up and taking down the booths being a time also of great hindrance to the usual Smithfield marketing and trading. The real suppression of the fair as a fourteen day riot, dates from this time.

1751. The attempted strict limitation of the fair to three days led to considerable disturbances. Birch, a deputy marshal of the city, received injuries which proved fatal.

1752. The alteration of the calendar transferred the 3rd September into the 14th. Old Bartholomew’s Day stood at this new date on the calendar. This event very much aided in shortening the period of the fair. Vide “Morley,” p. 449.

1753. There was a great demonstration against the claim of the Corporation to levy tolls upon the goods of citizens, as well as upon those of strangers, during the time of the fair. Richard Holland, a leather-seller in Newgate Street, had in the preceding year refused the toll demanded on a roll of leather with which he had attempted to enter the fair, and on the leather being seized by the collector, had called a constable, and charged the impounder with theft. The squabble resulted in an action against the Corporation, which was not tried, however, until 1754, when the result was in favour of the citizens, and against the Corporation claims.

While the action was pending Holland’s cart was driven through the fair with a load of hay, and was not stopped by the collector of tolls. The horses’ heads were decorated with ribbons, and on the leaders forehead was a card, upon which the following doggerel lines were written in a bold hand:—

On each side of the load of hay hung a halter, and a paper bearing the following announcement:—

There was considerable rioting in the fair. Buck, the successor to the unfortunate Birch, was very roughly handled. The tumult was in some degree allayed by a serious accident to the wire-walker, Evans. The wire broke, and he was precipitated to the ground, one of his thighs being broken, and other injuries sustained.

The Bridewell Boys.—1755. An element in the occasional disturbances at the fair was the conduct of the “Bridewell Boys,” a body of youths from the Bridewell Hospital, distinguished by a peculiar dress and turbulence of manners. They infested the streets and public places to the terror of the peaceable; and being allowed the privilege of going to fires with the Bridewell engine, not unfrequently occasioned more mischief by their audacity and perverseness than by their dexterity in fire extinguishment, resembling in some degree the volunteer Fire brigades which at one time were very prevalent in the United States. On the 13th November this year, at a Court of the Governors of the Hospital, a memorable report was made by the Committee, who inquired into the behaviour of the boys at the then preceding Bartholomew and Southwark fairs; and, as a consequence, some of them were severely corrected and cautioned, and others, after their punishment, were ordered to be stripped of their hospital clothing and discharged. At a later period the boys were deprived of their distinguishing costume, and a different plan of instruction was adopted.

1760. The Court of Common Council made a more determined effort than heretofore to put down this fair; but the interest of Lord Kensington (successor of Lord Rich) in a portion of the tolls, rendered it impossible of accomplishment. See 1827.

1762. Plays were interdicted at the fair this year by the Corporation, and some hardship resulted to those who had made arrangements in advance. Strong and successful measures were taken to prevent its extension beyond the authorized three days.

There was published “A Description of Bartholomew Fair” by George Alexander Stevens, whereof the following gives a good idea of the medley life there seen:—

1798. There was a serious proposal made to restrict the fair to one day. This was only abandoned from the fear of riot.

1804. There was an action brought in the fair before the Court of Piepowder on 5th September—showing that the court had sat beyond the prescribed three days, which at one time it did not, even though the fair continued longer—by a fire-eater against one of the spectators of his tricks, who had half suffocated him by suddenly clapping a bundle of lighted matches under his nose. The defendant was fined a guinea by the homage, and the steward gave charge to the constables to turn him out of the fair if he appeared in it again.

1808. There appeared: “The History and Origin of Bartholomew Fair,” published by Arliss and Huntsman, 37, Bartholomew Close (8vo. pp. 26).

1810. A circumstance occurred likely to have been attended with very serious consequences. Two bands of roughs, who were racing through the fair after their manner, met. In the scuffle that ensued two stalls were knocked down, and the falling of a lamp on to a stove caused the canvas to ignite, and a serious disaster was only averted by the presence of mind of a gentleman who was on the spot at the moment. In a similar rush in 1812 a child was killed.

In the “Morning Chronicle” appeared the following “Elegy, written in Bartlemy Fair at Five o’clock in the morning,” from which I take the principal stanzas:—

1825. Bartholomew Day falling on a Sunday the fair was wholly suspended. Many thousands of persons walking for recreation repaired to Smithfield and viewed its appearance. The City officers most strictly enforced observance of the day: one keeper of a gingerbread stall who plied for custom and refractorily persisted was taken into custody, and held in prison till he could be carried before a magistrate on the following day, when he was fined for the offence.—Hone.

Hone’s survey of the Fair.—It was on the morning following this day that Hone made his memorable visit to the fair, which he has recorded at large in his “Every Day Book” (i. cols. 1168-1251), and from which I take the following condensed description of the extent and nature of the exhibition:—

There were small uncovered stalls from the Skinner Street corner of Giltspur Street beginning with the beginning of the churchyard, along the whole length of the churchyard. On the opposite side there were like stalls from Newgate Street corner. At these stalls were sold oysters, fruit, inferior kinds of cheap toys, common gingerbread, small wicker baskets, and other articles of trifling value. They seemed to be mere casual standings taken up by petty dealers and chapmen in smallware, who lacked means to purchase room and furnish out a tempting display. Their stalls were set out from the channel into the roadway. One man occupied upwards of twenty feet of the road lengthwise with discontinued wood-cut pamphlets, formerly published weekly at two pence, which he spread out on the ground and sold at a halfpenny each in great quantities; he had also large folio bible prints at a halfpenny each, and prints from magazines at four a penny. The fronts of these standings were towards the passengers in the carriage way.

Then with occasional distances of three or four feet for footways from the road to the pavement began lines of covered stalls, with their open fronts opposite the fronts of the houses, and close to the curb-stone, and their enclosed backs to the road. On the St. Sepulchre’s side they extended to Cock Lane, and from thence to Hosier-lane, and along the west side of Smithfield to the Cow-lane corner. In John Street they were resumed and ran thitherward to Smithfield bars, and there on the west side ended. Crossing over to the east side, and returning south, these covered stalls commenced opposite their termination on the west and ran towards Smithfield, turning into which they ran westerly towards the pig-market, and from thence to Long-lane. Again on to the east side to the great gate of Cloth Fair, and so from Duke Street on the south side to the great front gate of Bartholomew hospital; and then resumed to Giltspur Street and so reached the uncovered stalls.

These covered stalls thus surrounding Smithfield, belonged to dealers in gingerbread, toys, hardware, garters, pocket books, trinkets, and articles of all prices, from a halfpenny to a half sovereign. The gingerbread stalls varied in size, and were conspicuously fine from the Dutch gold on their different shaped ware. The usual frontage of the stalls was 8, 10, 12 feet, but some as large as 25 feet. They were 6 feet 6 inches or 7 feet high in front and from 4 feet 6 to 5 feet at back: and all formed of canvass tightly stretched on light poles. The fronts were to the pavements. The houses of business in the streets had their shutters up, and doors closed.

The Shows of all kinds had their fronts towards the area of Smithfield, and their backs close against the backs of the stalls. The centre of the area was thus entirely open, and from the carriage way through it all the shows might be seen at one view. Against the pens at the side there were not any shows. No carriages or horsemen were permitted to enter the fair on account of the crowded masses of people present....

It has to be noted that there was an unusually large assemblage of shows at the fair, including several menageries.

1826. The “Mirror of the Months” contained the following graphic anticipation of the fair to be held this year:—

Another year arrives, and spite of Corporation “resolutions,” and references to “the Committee,” and “Reports” and “recommendations” to abolish the fair, it is held again. Now arrives that saturnalia of nondescript noise and nonconformity “Bartlemy Fair;” when that prince of peace-officers the Lord Mayor changes his sword of state into a six-penny trumpet, and becomes the lord of misrule and the patron of pick-pockets; and lady Holland’s name leads an unlettered mob instead of a lettered one; when Richardson maintains, during three whole days and a half, a managerial supremacy that must be not a little enviable even in the eyes of Mr. Elliston himself; and Mr. Gyngell holds, during the same period, a scarcely less distinguished station as the Apollo of maid servants; when the incomparable (not to say eternal) young Master Saunder’s rides on horseback to the admiration of all beholders, in the person of his eldest son; and when all the giants in the land, and the dwarfs too, make a general muster, and each proves to be according to the most correct measurement at least a foot taller, or shorter, than any other in the fair, and in fact the only one worth seeing,—“all the rest being impostors!” In short, when every booth in the fair combined in itself the attractions of all the rest, and so perplexes with its irresistible merit the rapt imagination of the half-holiday school boys who have got but sixpence to spend upon the whole, that they eye the outsides of each in a state of pleasing despair, till their leave of absence is expired twice over, and then return home filled with visions of giants and gingerbread nuts, and dream all night long of what they have not seen.

The fair was small, and one of its principal features was the bookstalls, which occupied the whole of the west side of Giltspur Street.

1827. The fair was again large, and for the first time I am enabled to present a return of the cash returns of the various places of amusement there assembled. The result will be startling to those who have hitherto failed to realize the importance with which the fair was regarded: Wombwell’s menagerie, £1,700; Richardson’s theatre, £1,200; Atkins’s menagerie, £1,000; Morgan’s menagerie, £150; exhibition of “pig-faced lady,” £150; ditto, fat boy and girl, £140; ditto, head of William Corder, quaker, who was hanged at Chelmsford for murder of Maria Martin—the crime being revealed through a dream of the victim’s mother, £100; Ballard’s menagerie, £90; Ball’s theatre, £80; diorama of the battle of Navarino, £60; the Chinese jugglers, £50; Pike’s theatre, £40; a fire-eater, £30; Frazer’s theatre, £26; Keyes and Line’s theatre, £20; exhibition of a Scotch giant, £20. The comparative attractiveness of the different sights affords room for reflection. Of course these entertainments only represent a portion of the cash transactions of the fair.

Lord Kensington at length intimated that considering the corrupt state of the fair, and the nuisance caused by it in the neighbourhood of Smithfield, he would now throw no obstacle in the way of its abolition. His share of the tolls was from £30 to £40 a year; the estimated value of these was from £500 to £600. The Corporation accordingly bought up these tolls, and henceforward the sole rights and interest in the fair became vested in the City.

The End.—1839. The London City Mission, having pointed out to the Corporation the moral pollution spread by the retention of the fair, the matter was again referred to the City Lands Committee, who referred the question to Mr. Charles Pearson the then able City Solicitor; and he speedily discovered a rational mode of dealing with it: he advised an absolute refusal to let standings for show-booths in a fair that was created in the first instance for the purposes of trade!

The Markets Committee had in the meanwhile been working in the direction of largely increasing the tolls for stalls, &c. The effect being that in 1836 they had increased to £162, 1838 to £284; this year £305. The smaller the number of booths the more each seemed able to pay, showing that the popular patronage of the fair was still considerable.

New Bartholomew Fair.—In 1843 the City authorities prohibited the assembling of “shows” of any and all kinds in Smithfield; but with this prohibition was the announcement that arrangements had been made for the standing of such shows as desired on a large piece of ground adjoining the New North Road, called Britannia Fields, near the site of the Britannia Theatre, in the parish of Hoxton.

In this step it may have been thought to preserve the income from tolls by a bodily transfer of the fair to another locality. I doubt if the original Charter would have supported such a course; but the influence of the City would have obtained the authority of Parliament for the change. But even Parliament cannot change the sentiments of the people in regard to their amusements, or divert the channels of commerce from the time-honoured channels in which they have been wont to flow; and the project for the new Bartholomew Fair fell dead very early in its inception; but for two or three years shows did congregate there.

1855. The end had come! The old ceremony of state proclamation had been discontinued in 1840. In 1850 the Lord Mayor (Musgrove) having walked quietly to the appointed gateway with the necessary attendants, found there was no fair to proclaim! After that year the Lord Mayor attended no more for the purpose. The last Bartholomew Fair was proclaimed this year (1855). The City indeed still pays to the Rector of Bartholomew the Great the annual fee of 3s. 6d. in respect of the proclamation no longer made. The live Cattle Market was discontinued the same year—removed to Islington. The Meat Market opened in 1868 has obliterated all traces of a state of things which had continued for seven centuries.

1859. Mr. Henry Morley published “Memoirs of Bartholomew Fair,” “inscribed with friendship to his friend John Forster.” In his preface he says “When I first resolved upon the writing these memoirs, I knew simply that Bartholomew fair was an unwritten portion of the story of the people. Bound once to the life of the nation by the three ties of Religion, Trade and Pleasure, first came a time when the tie of Religion was unloosened from it; then it was a place of Trade and Pleasure. A few more generations having lived and worked, Trade was no longer bound to it. The nation still grew, and at last broke from it even as a pleasure fair. It lived for seven centuries or more, and of its death we are the witnesses. Surely, methought, there is a story here; the memoirs of a Fair do not mean only a bundle of handbills or a catalogue of monsters. And then the volume was planned which is now offered to the reader, with a lively sense of its shortcomings.” Thus launched upon the world it was and is a book suited to the companionship of all lovers of objects of antiquity. I am glad to have been able to supplement its record with some details of interest.