Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-10-27
: SELECT. " VARIETY.
Donnybrook Fair.

Grace Greenwood, in her letters "from over the
sea-, to the National Era, thus speaks of the DON
nybrook FAIR -sa5s1 sscy lsg
Hearing that the famous Donnybrook Fair was
under full headway, few miles from the city, we
drove out pleasant afternoon, hoping to see the
Irish character in some new varieties. But on
reaching the ground, we soon dispalred Of seeing
much in this way, remarkirg everywhere the pre-
sence of those patent suppreSsors OF popular spirit
and jollity, individual originality and fun, soldiers
and policemen. 1t was novel. busting and crowd
ded, butb no means an animatng scene. Ihere
was everything to be sold and nothing seemed to
be selling; there plenty OF eating and drinking
and nobody seemed the heartier or happier; there
was everywhere an awakened effort at enjoyment
and amusement, un-IriSh and lamentable III the
extreme You heard little laughter and singing,
and both the fiddling and dancing were mechanical
and spiritess. There were half q dozen theatres
and every variety of s'show;' and for an honr be-
fore the performance commenced, managers, actors,
clowns and Ethiopian minstrels'' paraded IN front
Of their booths, shouting and bidding for customers
with furious ringing of bells aud mad heating of
drums. "Lades and gintleinin, walk in and see
the Roosian Lambert the fattest man in the civllz
ed world" ."Ladies and gnuemin, let me warn
YOU agin chute, in friendly way, just--sure it's
no Roosian at all but poor devil from Skibbereen,
fatted on turuips. Walk in, here, and see an ile-
CANT collection of monkeys and beautiful "famale"
kangeroo, all for penny-"l "Ladies and gentle
men, come and patronize the legitimate drama and
eAoSs'g
Sheppard" at tuppence an 'ead''
AS a matter of course, there was on the ground a
large representation of beggars. was struck by
one poor old "craturs 81 peculiar and touching
blessing stAIay the Lord bless yer honor, and yer
honor's husband, prsint or 10 be, and grant you
both health and pace, and many happy Donny-
brooks p' 7H l9Gtg = I5iHrE fEF ,2.cI
As we were returning 10 our, car, through a lit
tie crowded lane, remarked to my friends; "lt
is quite true what were told in Dublin, the glory
of Donnybrook has departed since the advent OF
Father Mathew with his, dispensation of teetotal-
ism, and the more perfect and powerful organlza-
on of police, both throwing cold water on Its an
cient spirit of fight and frolic. One now hears no
singing OF wild ballads, and sees no swinging of
shillelals there unnatural propriety, drea-
~ orderliness q fat sobriety, prevailing here: -
Just then, was somewhat rudely pressed on by
sturdy young woman, who seemed, with elbows and
knuckles, to be making q rough medical eXamina-
lion of my spinal yeItebra testing the elastic prop
critics of my ribs, and the temper OF my Shoulder
blades. Shrinking from this severe ln1lctlon,
complained to the gentleman cnw whose arm lleant;
of the too pressing attentions of the person behind
me; ,whereupon the damSel exclaimed, tl'm not
behind YOU at all ~! following this astounding dec
laration with certain spirited expressions, and
finally indulged herself in some remarks whlch
could but consider irreleva MT consisting OF compar-
isons between my personal appearance and her
own. decidedly unfavorable to the former.fi This
was the first inhospitable treatment had received
in Ireland To have my slight feminine attIac-
tions, my humble claims to good looks, not alone
questioned but fatty denied at that Joyous ancient
gathering place, that high festival Of the Kindly
irish peasantry-D Fair-by DON
nybrook fair, was q most unexpected discourage
ment." .-L;-a.g -,7r,., s,s,g--- -E st4