The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-10-14 00:00:00

RALESOWEN VAIL
the Mitor of he Observer.

Sta,—Will yon kindly allow of the inaertion of tb•
subjoined remarks relative to the above annual gather.
lug I suppobe that most people are swore of the fact
that Statute Fairs were originated for the purpose of
labour market at which working men and women (chiefly
agricultural labourers and domestic servants) were pro.
bent to be hired if there were masters to make contracts
with them. It is quite differently managed uow.a.diaya.
The oxen are roasted as usual, but the real object of the
Statute Fair has become quite a dead letter in the majo-
rity of fairs of the kind, and neither mastery, in search of
servants, or servants in quest of employers are to be sofa,
and the "Mop," air it is called by the vulgar, now par-
takes of a pleasure character entirely. About ten o'clock
on Monday morning last I made my way to tee lltoU
Ring, where I fund an enclosed spree in whirl was •
great fire, that gave • feeling of warmth to those i'd reach
of its inluence. Inside this enclosure was the 'fat ox—
the veritable fat ox—not a lean one; oh, was
quite a pleasure to see our old friend Zech Shia w attend-
ing to the carcase, as he had done on former occasious.
How the ragged street urchins seemed to ling for • bit
of that meat. aye, or even a bone out of it. Afiet roast-
ing till about eleven o'clock, friend Bach began to cut up
the on for sale, and it was soon disposer', of at out
ling per lb. About three o'clock in 'bite aftemoon, no-
thing but the bones remained. whi)..ll would Lave bees
• study for an anotonlist, as it we, a subject of converse-
Bon to those looking on. A fat tbi ep was rowted at the
Cross Inn, kept by W. Robinsod, ace was given away to
his patrons.
In the streets there was a large number of poople, but
a very poor array of stalls eontaininj; the goo l things of
this life; but there were potato rlastdidg Luedooeb, and
those in care of them did not fail to shoot ell hot; all
hot !" Fried fish vendors made the air echo again with
their Own praises of what they lii a to sell.
Among the amusements provitLed were steam hones.
on which children of three years to old men sod women
of 70 were to be wen careering round the circle, and
railway bicycles whirled sound, loaded segli riders.
Latimer's Theatre came in for )41 large shard of patron-
age. On their stage the clowns were revelling in antics
as grotesque as they were }nodal). Yes, here was Billy
—he of the cotton drew of the many colour,, and the
painted face—the real clown of the travelling theatre.
I wish here to remark that there is much harm done
in allowing young children to @O'er such places, as they
hear immoral language, and see what they should Lot.
The reason I say this is because some of the plays are
indecent in language turd gesture.

About fire o'clock in the afternoon William Richards,
of Oxford, performed the feat •-.1 walking tso miles in
nineteen minutes-o.e mile forwards, and the other
backwards. The man did it easily. On Saturday lest
this name man walked 50 miles in twelve hours, wwlkiir,i
ten miles of the distance back...are. Of course there
were thousands of spectators, and uandaome saber:rip.
tiou was made for Richards. Late in the evening much
drunkenness prevailed, nearly all the piablic.houses bay.
lug their full complement of worshippers of liaccbue,
nose particular virtues they loudly proclaimed.
I mast now conclude my description of a " Mop.. I
will just say tbst while there is ditch to say against these
fairs, there is little to be said for them, as they are pr 4 .
ductive of much immorality, and ef no risible good.
I am, dear Sir.
Faithfully yours,
LOOKER ON.
Halesowen, Oct. 9, 1871.