The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-09-05 00:00:00

BARTHOLONAW FAIR.

The arrangement of the shows and booths is very judi-
cious, and the lair seems on the whole as well regulated as
such a scene will admit of.
" '

A luilicroos scene took place. As one of the itinerant
showmen was passing through Lung lane to Smithfield, the
axle tree of his caravan broke, mid discharged its cargo into
the street. Several muskies were instantly seen runumg to
different directions, out of which took refuge in a cook's
shop, to the us small discomfiture of the master-cook and his
hintry guests. Pup, without wailing to examise the bill
of fare, placed himself by a dish of ready-sliced plum-pud-
ding, and, sans sermonic, helped himself, sad all remon-
strance on the part of the cook could not persuade him to re-
liaquish his delicious repast, until his master, by force of
arms, dislodged him from the !panelist banquet.
This Fair was granted is the reign of Henry 11. to Oho
Priory of St. Bartholomew for three days; to which itio
clothiers of England and Snipers of London repaired, and
had their booths in the chnreliard of the Priory closed in
with walls and gates, locked every night, and watched.
Smithfield was originally called Rallies's Hall, being thy
rendezvous of reitSaos and quarrellers, when swords and
buckles were used; and was a place for bonoorahle exer-
cises and jousts, au that loose serving-men cummualy met
there. _ _ _

The Fair was at length prolonged to a fortnight, and be.
came of little other uae than for idle and loose people to re.
*On to, and spend their mosey in debauchery and drunken.
ores. In 1708 the filagi.trates reduced the Fair to titres
days, according to which it 1111.3 first granted.
A cause was tried ill the Conn of King's Bench,
before Justice Ryder, upon an action brought by
Mr. Richard Holland, • leatberseller in Newpiastreet,
against the collection of the toll during the Fair; a verdict
was given in favour of Mr. Holland, in fifteen issues, with
COIN of suit, by winch determination all citizens of I..Ondou
are exempt from paying 1011. The Priory of St. Bartholo-
mew was founded iu 1102, by one Ralsere, who was Jester
to Henry the First; Rabere quilling his profligate life, be-
came the first Ps ior of his own foundation. Legend relates
that be bad • most horrible dream, out of which be was re.
lirved by SI. Bartholomew himself, who directed him to found
the house, and to dedicate at to him.
. _ . .

The Far may be called the Londoner's Carnival.

iltittAmix

ruftsf(stt 2.
TIRE DUKE OP DEVONSHIRE.

His Grace set out on Thursday ea a 'visit to his
near and very esteemed relative. the Hon. and Very
Rev. Richard Ponsonby, the Dean of St. Patrick's,
at the parsonage of Coolock, where the Nuble
Duke remained some hours; and in the afternoon
returned to town with the Dean, when both thrse
personages dined with his Eicelleney the Lord Lieu-
tenant.

Filch), his Grace left Dublin for !Uralic, in the
county of KilkeWny, the seat of Richard Power,
Esq. where he will sojourn for n day, and then pur-
sue his way to his own splendid mansion, Listnore
Castle. His Grace is accompanied by his sgrnt,
the Hon. Mr. Abercromby ; the Dean of St.
Patrick's is to leave town, on a visit to his Grace,
in a few days.
The primary object of the Duke in coming to
this country is to improve as far as a landlord eau,
the condition of his tetiantr). ; and to this end, he
expressly stipulated with his friend, the Dean of
St. Patrick's, before leaving Dublin, upon having
the benefit of his benevolent recommendations.
Lismore Castle will be the scene of uninter-
rupted festivities during the sojourn of the Duke
of Devonshire in Ireland.

The Earl and Countess of Clengall, Earl of
Belfast, Lord Falkland, and Sr A. Chichester,
have arrived in town.

We cong►atulate the country nn the rrrovcry of
the Right Hon. Sir Benjamin Bloomficli from his
late illness; we understand he wits sufficiently well
to dine with the Lord Lieutenunt on Thursday lay'.
—(Dublin Freeman.)