High-smoking chimneys and acres of tiles shut out the once pleasant prospect, and their Geffray Gambados (now grey-headed jockeys!) sigh, amidst macadamisation and dust, for the green sward where, in their hey-day of life, they witched the fair with noble donkeyship!--Croydon (famous for roast-pork, and new walnuts ), Harley-Bush, and Barnet fairs, are as yet unsuppressed; but the demons of mischief--[the English populace (their _Majesty the Many!_) are notorious for this barbarity]--have
* “At the London Spaw (1754), during the accustomed time of the Welsh Fair, will be the usual entertainment of Roast Pork, with the fam'd soft-flavor'd Spaw Ale, and every other liquor of the neatest and best kinds, agreeable entertainments, and inviting usage from the Publick's most obedient servant, George Dowdell.”
In the year 1795 a Dutch Fair was held at Frogmore, when a grand fête was given by King George the Third, in celebration of his Queen's birth-day, and the recent arrival of the Princess of Wales. A number of dancers were dressed as haymakers; Mr. Byrne and his company danced the Morris- dance; and Savoyards, in character, assisted at the merriments. Feats of horsemanship were exhibited by professors from the Circus; and booths erected for good eating and drinking, and the sale of toys, work-bags, pocket-books, and fancy articles. Munden, Rock, and Incledon diverted the company with their mirth and music; and Majesty participated in the general joy. The Royal Dutch Fair lasted two days, and was under the tasteful direction of the Princess Elizabeth.
totally destroyed the magnificent oak that made Fairlop Fair * a favourite rendezvous with those who could afford a tandem, tax-cart, or Tim-whisky. How often have we sat, and pirouetted too, under its venerable shade.
May Fair (which began on May-day), during the early part of the last century, was much patronised by the nobility and gentry. It had nevertheless its Ducking Pond for the ruder class of holiday makers.
*** By an act passed 3rd of 2nd Victoria (not Victoria for the Fair!) it was rendered unlawful to hold Fairlop Fair beyond the first Friday (“Friday's a dry day!”) in July. This was the handy work of the Barking Magistrates.