Merrie England in the Olden Time. George Daniel

Kent, July 14, 1726.—A strange eating worthy is

       to perform a Tryal of Skill on St. James's Day, which is

       the day of our Fair for a wager of Five Guineas—viz.: he

       is to eat four pounds of bacon, a bushel of French beans,

       with two pounds of butter, a quartern loaf, and to drink a

       gallon of strong beer.”

       The old proverb of “buttering bacon” here receives

       farinaceous illustration!

      “In a fore one-pair room, on the west side of Sun-court,” a Frenchman exhibited, during the time of May Fair, the “astonishing strength of the 'Strong Woman,' * his wife.”

      “She first let down her hair, of a length descending to her knees, which she twisted round the projecting part of a blacksmith's anvil, and then lifted the ponderous weight from the floor. She also put her bare feet on a red-hot salamander, without receiving the least injury.” May Fair is now become the site of aristocratical dwellings, where a strong purse is required to procure a standing. At Horn Fair, a party of humorists of both sexes, counted in all the variety of Bull-Feather fashion, after perambulating round Cuckold Point, startled the little quiet village of Charlton on St. Luke's day, shouting their emulation, and blowing voluntaries on rams' horns, in honour of their patron saint. Ned Ward gives a curious picture of this odd ceremony—and the press of Stonecutter Street (the worthy successor of Aldermary Churchyard) has consigned it to immortality in two Broadsides ** inspired by the Helicon of the Fleet,

      * This was probably Mrs. Alchorne, “who had exhibited as the

       Strong Woman” and died in Drury Lane in 1817, at a very

       advanced age. Madame also performed at Bartholomew Fair in

       1752.

       ** “A New Summons to all the Merry (Wagtail) Jades to attend

       at Horn Fair”—“A New Summons to Horn Fair” both without a

       date.

      “Around whose brink

      Bards rush in droves, like cart-horses to drink,

      Dip their dark beards among its streams so clear,

      And while they gulp it, wish it ale or beer,”

      and illustrated by the Cruikshank of his day. Mile-end Green, in ancient times, had its popular exhibitions;—

      “Lord Pomp, let nothing that's magnificall,

      Or that may tend to London's graceful state,

      Be unperformed—as showes and solemne feastes,

      Watches in armour, triumphes, cresset-lightes,

      Bonefiers, belles, and peales of ordinance.

      And, Pleasure, see that plaies be published,

      Maie-games and maskes, with mirth and minstrelsie;

      Pageants and School-feastes, beares and puppit-plaies:

      Myselfe will muster upon Mile-end-greene,

      As though we saw, and feared not to be seene.”

      And the royal town of Windsor, * and the racecourse in Tothill-Fields ** were not without their merriments.

      * “The Three Lordes and Three Ladies of London,” 1590.

       ** “On Wednesday the 13th, at Windsor, a piece of plate is

       to be fought for at cudgels by ten men on a side, from,

       Berkshire and Middlesex. The next day a hat and feather to

       be fought for by ten men on a side, from the counties

       aforesaid. Ten Bargemen are to eat ten quarts of hasty-

       pudding, well buttered, but d——d hot! He that has done

       first to have a silver spoon of ten shillings value; and the

       second five shillings. And as they have anciently had the

       title of The Merry Wives of Windsor, six old women belonging

       to Windsor town challenge any six old women in the universe,

       (we need not, however, go farther than our own country) to

       out-scold them. The best in three heats to have a suit of

       head-cloths, and, (what old women generally want!) a pair of

       nut-crackers.”—Read's Journal, September 9, 1721.

       “According to Law. September 22, 1749.—On Wednesday next,

       the 27th inst., will be run for by Asses (I!) in Tothill

       Fields, a purse of gold, not exceeding the value of Fifty

       Pounds. The first will be entitled to the gold; the second

       to two pads; the third to thirteen pence halfpenny; the last

       to a halter fit for the neck of any ass in Europe. Each ass

       must be subject to the following articles

       “No person will be allowed to ride but Taylors and Chimney-

       sweepers; the former to have a cabbage-leaf fixed in his

       hat, the latter a plumage of white feathers; the one to use

       nothing but his yard-wand, and the other a brush.

       “No jockey-tricks will be allowed upon any consideration.

       “No one to strike an ass but the rider, lest he thereby

       cause a retrograde motion, under a penalty of being ducked

       three times in the river.

       “No ass will be allowed to start above thirty years old, or

       under ten months, nor any that has won above the value of

       fifty pounds.

       “No ass to run that has been six months in training,

       particularly above stairs, lest the same accident happen to

       it that did to one nigh a town ten miles from London, and

       that for reasons well known to that place.

       “Each ass to pay sixpence entrance, three farthings of which

       are to be given to the old clerk of the race, for his due

       care and attendance.

       “Every ass to carry weight for inches, if thought proper.”

       Then follow a variety of sports, with “an ordinary of proper

       victuals, particularly for the riders, if desired.”

       “Run, lads, run! there is rare sport in Tothill Fields!”