The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-14 00:00:00

GREEN WICH FAIR,

The health of thousands was promoted yesterday by a
seasonable trip to Greenwich. Great as the number of
visitors was on Good Friday, it was much larger yester-
day. Early in the morning a few heavy showers lowered
the expectations of those who generally calculate upon
dry weather, but the sun occasionally sent forth his be-
nevolent rays, and the ground dried almost as soon as
the showers ceased. The scene which the approach of
spring now presents to persons who toil in close work-
shops and factories, and who seldom extend their walks
beyond the purlieus of London, is almost enchanting.
In the language of the poet :
From the moist meadow to the wither'd hill,
Led by the breeze the vivid verdure runs,
And swells and deepens to the cherish'd eye."
Those who preferred recreation in the beautiful park and
its environs, climbed the hills to race with their partners
down the declivities, or looked with astonishment through
the telescopes which the old sons of Neptune, on the
benches of One-tree-hill and Flamstead House are always
ready to present to curious visitors. From those Alpine
heights they beheld that wonder of wonders, the "silver
snake," as the Thames has been aptly named, bearing on its
tortuous stream an amazing mass of human life, floating in
steamers, whose long black pennants and thundering
roar bring to mind the Cyclopean monsters of Virgil.
Again they might turn their eyes to the Isle of Dogs,
and behold iron steam ships, considered one of the
greatest efforts ever made in naval architecture. But
the public are no doubt familiar with all the local objects
hich make Greenwich so praiseworthy in the estima-
tion of foreigners, consequently, it is only necessary to
remark, that the holiday folks were amply supplied with
themes for admiration. Leaving the lads and lasses to
enjoy themselves in the Park, we may glance at the fair,
which during the day was crowded to excess. The river
was burthened with steamers conveying the gay pas-
sengers to the famous rendezvous. All the boats on the
river seemed put in requisition: they started every
quarter of an hour, and ran from Blackwell to Green-
wich for threepence. It is impossible to describe the
bustle and confusion which took place to get on board,
and land at Greenwich. There was not less difficulty
in going by the railway. A line of passengers waiting
for the trains extended a long way outside. We can-
not hazard a calculation of the numbers who crowded
to the fair and walked in the Park. All London, to
use a trite expression, was out of town. The large
mass which congregated at Greenwich assembled
to play their respective parts—eat, drink, and be
merry. We know they had ample opportunities to ac-
complish all these objects. The tavern-keepers, as usual,
had prepared ample accommodation—the Ship Torbay,
the White Hart, the Mitre, the Greyhound, the Admiral
Hardy, and, in short, almost every house of entertain-
ment
amusement
along the Kent-road, from the Bricklayers' Arms to
the Green Man on Blackheath, contained all those good
things
to which
aLndon dmosnrrfimrieenndt,s
they
yuihraed Ai
d. Withger,
respect
s
splendid ball-room illuminated in most brilliant style,
and those who did not dance might enjoy the charms of
the drama. The great novelty was the war in India—
the battle of the Sutlej and defeat of the Seikhs was
given, certainly upon a small scale ; but as the power of
our Indian enemies is subdued, that circumstance was of
no importance. Baker's splendid Pavilion and the
Temple of a Conjuror held out strong attractions. A
booth for the exhibition of sparring also presented some
striking proofs of human ingenuity. High, however,
abuve all the gorgeous palaces and solemn temples. rose
the new travelling theatre of Johnson and Lee (late
Richardson's), which opened for the summer season. It
will be recollected that Richardson's far-famedestablish-
mentAugust
was totally destroyed by fire at Dartford, in
last. The proprietors, Messrs.
Johnson and Lee, since
that period, have been busily employed in preparing a
perfectly new travelling
stage on an extended scale.
This renowned temple of the drama displayed for
was
front
the first time yesterday. The was hung with rich
crimson draperies, bordered with massive fringe. Be-
tween architectural columns stone figures appeared on
pedestals. These, with blue and red stripes, gave to the
whole arrangement a splendid effect. The proscenium,
painted by Rogers, is composed of rich scroll work, pil-
lars, and a medallion of her Majesty. We are thus par-
ticular on the subject of a theatre which, like a phoenix,
rises out of the ashes of its parent—a theatre which the
public must have long identified with Greenwich Fair.
The plays and dramas were supported by the French
company, who display equestrian entertainments at the
Standard Amphitheatre. They had two clowns, the
Steed of Fire, the Olympic Juggler, and other attrac-
tions, not forgetting the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, or
the Republic, the Empire, and the 100 Days. In con-
cluding our sketch of Greenwich Fair this year, we can-
not omit the censure we have before expressed, as applied
to the swings, which are suffered to vibrate and endanger
the lives of the unwary. In the narrow space appro-
priated
to the fair swings should not be permitted. Hav-
ing reported that the holiday folks were enabled to
ob-
tain good eating and drinking, dancing and the drama,
we have only to add that they were finally in a condi-.