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

GREENWICH 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
w 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 along the Kent-road, from the Bricklayers' Arms to
the Green Man on Blackheath, contained all those good
things which so many London friends required. With
respect to amusement and merriment, they had Alger's
splendidthe
ms
sa.whoball-roomT The
e didg
not
illuminateeoat td
annoeyeelmt
ydi
ghi nt
was
enjoy
tmosthe warbrt
h ei I I iiann st
yle,
and charms
of
India—
thegi
given,
eu battlecertainly
upon S u tl e
aj
small an d defeat
bo
uf t t
ah
se t h Se e
pi ko hws e
r wasof
our Indian enemies is:subdued, that circumstance was of
no importance.
irempleofa B
Conjuror
juraoker's
rheldspoleunid Paviliontdstrong and the
attractions.
A
booth for the exhibition of sparring also presented some
striking proofs of human ingenuity. High, however,
abt.ve 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-famed establish-
ment was totally destroyed by fire
Joh at Dartand Lford, in August
since
last. The proprietors, ssrs.Johnson ee,
usilyemmpiloaynedexintepurdeepdarisnegalea,
stageh
drama was displayed for
This renowned temple of t e
ptheartfee period,t
perfectly
new have vte
ravbeelerningb
crimson draperies, bordered
appeared on
hwe
iftrhonmt
massive
vheung fringe.w i th
Be-
tweenthe fir timesatrc hite
cyt eusrtaelr da)'.
pedestals. The proscenium,
whole arrangement a splendid effect.
columns stone figures
These, with blue adndof redri stripes,
scroll
lay gave
work,
pil-
lars, painted by Rogers, is compose
like a phtenix,
ooffhaerthMeaajtersetyw.hiclVl,eare thus pa.r-
ltraiicrsuessiaaornuodtn aotf medallion
de aalslsubjectihoens
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
tethhe
Standard Amphitheatre. They had two clowns,
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-
not omit the censure we have before expressed, as app
eluding our sketch of Greenwich Fair this year, we
cla.nd-
to the swings, which are suffered to vibrate and endanger
the lives of the unwary. In the narrow space appro-
priated
otrotetdhethfaaitrths we permitted. Hay-
tam good eating and drinking, dancing and the drama,
we have only to add that they were finally in a condi-

tion to retire from the sports of Greenwich well satisfied
with Easter festivity.

DEVON AND CORWALL
WRESTLING.
The Easter wrestling, in the above style, commenced
yesterday at the Brecknock Arms Tavern, Camden-
town. The attendance during the afternoon was ♦ery
numerous and respectable, and the play in this ancient
science" was extremely good, many wrestlers from both
the above counties being present, and the play being
without shoes appeared to give general satisfaction to
the spectators and players.
During the afternoon the play came off as follows :
Thomas Walters, of Devon, and T. Caizer, of Cora-
wall, were the first men that entered the ring, and,
after some play, the. Devonian threw his opponent by
the hanging toe.
W. Peneto, of Cornwall, came against Walters, and
after some play, time (ten minutes) was called, and
Walters became a standard.
James Bond and W. Peneto had a short tussel, when
Bond threw his man, and played time with B. Merrifield,
of Cornwall.
Benjamin Merrifield stood the ring, and Charles Bow-
den, of Cornwall, came against him. After some ex-
ceeding good play Bowden threw his antagonist by the
under-lock, and he afterwards threw by the right fore
hip, Easton, of Westmoreland.
J. Eason (Somerset) and W. Teague came together,
Eason playing time, and afterwards throwing Sampson,
of London.
The next men were two good wrestlers, J. Ball, of
Cornwall, and Goodman (of the Blues) also from Corn-
wall. Some exceeding good play was displayed on both
sides, Goodman being thrown ; when Ball played out
time with Snell.

On Snell retaining the ring, T. ?hillips, of Devon,
opposed him, and after a good bout, Phillips was thrown
by the back lock.
Charles Spear (Cornwall) and Jeremiah Akester
(Cumberland) were the next contending parties, the
Cumberland man playing time, when J. Eason opposed
him, and several falls took place, but "no back."
J. Eason, of Somerset, retained the ring, and was op-
posed by James Jordan, a Devonian. Both parties dis-
played science, when Somerset threw Devon a fair back
by the fore hip, amidst much cheering.
The double and treble play will commence to-day, and
the prizes, three in number, be played for.