The Sun.
London, England, 1837-05-18 00:00:00

WANDSWORTH FAIR.

Yesterday Wandsworth, decidedly the best suburban fair
west of the metropolis, terminated, after three days' dura-
tion, during which it was visited by thousands of the mid-
dling and lower classes of society, without, we are Lzppy to
say, the slightest infringement upon the rural games bei;,g
attempted by any would-be-overbearing Aristoera:.y ; and
it was gratifying to find that the nobility, gentry, and magis-
tracy resident within the vicinity promoted the nesnifold
amusements, to the great delight of the visitors, who, re-
lieved from the cares and fatigue of their several occupa-
tions, determined to have a" jollification," being impressed
with the idea that relaxation at times was positively neces-
sary for the body as well as the senses, in crder to create
fresh vigour upon return to business. There was scarcely
a landlord either in Battersea, Wandsworth, or Putney,
but sent forth his _programme of amusements for the en-
tertainment of the town and country folks. A variety of
prizes were given by the hosts of the several inns and
taverns for donkey racing, climbing a greasy pole for a
leg of mutton, jumping in -sacks, running fir a shill-,
gingling matches, single-stick, wrestling, &c., and the can
didates in general were very numerous, and their exertions
likewise produced considerable fun and laughter. There
were aquatic sports on " Old Father Thames," and the
numerous rowing and sailing matches afforded plenty of
life on the water. In the fair there were a large num-
ber of eating and drinking-booths, and the edibles and
potables were disposed of with a rapidity that would
have astonished the renowned " Dando" had he been
present. The ball rooms, dancing-booths, or " hops," as
they are technically termed, were crowded almost to
suffocation ; but, nevertheless, they were fair specimens
of gbod nature, pleasure, and happiness. It is true
that at each assembly a master of the ceremonies at-
tended, from the metropolis, to arrange the dances and
keep good order ; but the fact was, there was nothing
like ceremony about it. Pride was out of the ques-
tion ; every man .was as good as his neighbour, and the
female' portion of the company, the delicate votaries of
Terpsichore, were all alive and merry on the " fan-
tastic toe !" The assemblies generally commenced with
quadrilles and terminated with country dances ; and
there was no time nor room for criticism respecting the
steps—every one did his best, and hops, skips, and jumps
passed unnoticed. There were a number of theatrical shows,
and on this occasion "the tag-rag children of Thalia,
Melpomene's poor mob," mustered strongly, and great were
their endeavours to "astonish the natives." A branch
of the renowned " Muster " Richardson's show, in which
were the united companies of the late hero of Bartleniy and
Scowton shone Conspicuous, and some idea may be formed
of the celebrity of the movements of " the heroes of the
sock and buskin," when it is stated that in many of these
practical theatres a five-act tragedy or melodrama, in which
three murders were perpetrated, and as many ghosts in
blue, green, and red fire made their appearance, and vanished
through vampire traps, together with a comic song, a ter-
rific broad-sword combat, and a pantomime, was played in
-the short space of 20 minutes by Shrewsbury clock. The.
equestrian and tight an 3 slack-rope performances were
good. There were also Jim Crows, conjurors, fire-eaters,
learned pigs, wild Indians, white-haired infants, and fat
boys in abundance. Such were the humourous features
displayed at this ruaCc. fete at Wandsworth. It was all
happiness ; every body appeared pleased and satisfied, and
not the slightest disorder occurred.