Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-24
AN OLD ENGLISH FAIR.
Scenes That Are to be Depicted 1t the
W. l.. L. Corps ArmOry.
THE MODERN FAIRS,

What with q Kirmes in full bloom in Balti-
more, successful Jahrmarkt Just closed in
Washington and genuine old English Fair
in preparation in this city, there can be no eN-
cuse for continuing ignorant of folk-life abroad
OF the three novel entertainments mentioned
the local affair in preparation is unquestionably
to be the most successful, for .its English, you
know" An English Fair Of a century ago!
What world of "reminiscences will flow in
upon our grandmothers and how much they
will have TO tell the grand and great grandchil-
dren about ii. An old English Fair" is q great
whirl OF life, a time when even that staid old
dignitary, the squire, and his still more digni-
fled mistress and their demure daughters for a
while lay aside official dignity and mingle with
Eye townsfolke," and softens the habitual
sternness to a gracious smile upon the lads and
lassies, who romp about in lamblike skittish-
ness dance some simple specimen of the Terp-
sichorean ART, play London Bridge" send forth
loud outlaws at the very broad jokes of the
country lads, or walk about, lads and lassies,
hand in hand, from booth to BOOTH the
bashful swain investing ha'pence here
or there tor some little ornament
refreshment for the blushing maid. Ayes, the
digniiied squire, even joins in the general laugh
that goes up at some time-worn joke of the
travelling mountebank who labors SO hard TO
sell his "Invincible Salve" on yonder primitive
tribune.
This Individual, who evidently esteems him.
self more than even the gaping crowd, is as
necessary to the success of am "Englishe Faire'
moustache, and even better-waxed goatee, are
his most eminent characteristics, unless we
count nsh his & vocal powers which
does he say? "NO ailment to which flesh is heir
can abide against this most wonderful of
earthly balms. A brave soldier, who in battle
against the Yankee rebels had lost both his
lower extremities, my friends, not only had
both limbs restored. but upon a too frequent
on hand, which he generously rendered a
feilow-suferer IN this vale OF tears, who had
ready buyers and proSaby viii hanS this ve ars
extraordinary tale down TO posterity. No
doubt many popular tallacies and super
to the present day originated in the
fertile minds of just such doctors during the
many popular feasts SO generally in vogue in
Overyonder Is a Punch and Judy show in full
bloom. The merry laughter of the little ones
elders, who occasionally emphasize their appre-
citation by slapping each others backs or their
own knees with their horny hands. The blood
curdling drama has its representatives here
also. A primitive stage and even a more primi-
tive plot in which the main object is the great
est possible amount Of bloodshed i'm the short
est possible time, and as the "Deus ex
machina" some long-haired, SLOUGH hated and
fearfully armed villains are the outfit. The
the destructive and reconstructive experience
OF the hero heroine Is not of the least at
fractions TO the attendants. The ever-ofticious
beadle, whose chief requirements in the eye of
the appointing power must be q becoming ex-
tent OF corpulency, bass voice and u good
strong-headed cane, is one OF the inevitable
features.
True to nature this old 'Englishe Faire" is
to be reproduced by I'VE Light Infantry
Soldiery." Ladies and gentlemen in charge Of
the booths will be dressed in keeping with the
character OF the "Faire," and some OF the finest
theatrical talent I'm the country has volunteered
| its services In the beadic, the squire, the
| mountebank and the other characters 70 be
! represented. Elaborate scenic work will make
the hall Of the Light Infantry appear like old
English town. Every evening will be filled out
by an ever varying program. The Light In
fantry will make q departure from the OLD style
OF fairx This will be, IL II promised, more than