Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
CHAPTER I.
East MoleseY Fair.

pheres and addressed women,
Renard. who was more of a diplomatist
and kept his opinions on the fogs and
wenches of old England very much to
himself. declared enthusiastically in his
letter to the Emperor Charles W dated
October ?. 1903. that never had he seen
the sky so blue. the sun so bright, nor
the people of this barbarous island more
merry than on the memorable first day OF
East Molesey fair; as all WHO will may
read for themselves in volume Iii of the
Granville PAPERS
"Aulcungs ne pourroient contempler ciel
plus bleu. soleil illus brillanct nj people
plus ioie ult."
Yet what have we to do with the Opin-
Ions of these noble ambassadors OF great
and mighty foreign mouarchs?
Our own chroniclerS tell us that East
Molesey fair was the maddest. merriest,
happiest time the goodly folk of the
Thames valley had had within memory of
the oldest inhabitant
Was not good Queene Marye, beloved
daughter of the great King Henry VIII,
crowned at, last? Crowned in Westmin-
ster Abbey as all her loyal subjects had
desired that she should be. despite his
grace of northumberland and his trea-
sonable faction. whom God and the
queene's most lawful majesty would pun
ish all in good time.
In the meantime let US be joyful and
make merry,
Such a motley crowd as never was seen.
Here's a sheriff from London city, pom
pous and dignified in dark doublet and
hose. with scarlet mantle and velvet cap;
beside him his lady trips right merrily,
her damask kirtle held we'll above her
high-heeled shoes. her Powered panters
looped in the latest STYLE, with just the
suggestion of farthingale beneath her
robes to give dignity to her figure and
value to the sl.mness of her waist.
Here n couple of solemn burgesses, in
velvet cloaks edged with fur, and richly
slashed doublets. are discussing the latest
political events. whilst a group of Hamp-
ton merchants more soberly clad appraise
the wares of a cutler lately hailed from
Spain.
Then the danes and maidens. with
pulled paniers of blue or vivid scarlet,
moving swiftly from booth to booth
babbling like so many gayly plumaged
birds. squabbling with the vendors and
chatting the criers.
Here and there the gaudy uniform of
of the liveried companies will attract
the eve. anon the dark cloak and close
black mask which obviously hide the
court gallant
Men of all ranks and of all stations
have come out TO East Molesey today.
Merchants. shopkeepers, workers. alder
men and servants. all with their women
kind. all with pouches more or less well
filled, for who would go to Molesey fair
but to spend money. to drink, to eat, or
to make merry?
Then there were the prenticest
They had no money to spend. save a
copper or so to throw to mountebank
but nevertheless they contrived to enjoy
themselves right royalty.
Such imDs of mischief,
No whipping post today Full license
for all their pranks and madcap jokes.
The torment of all these worthy bur-
gesses out on a holiday.
Oh, these prentices!
Hundreds of them out here this after
noon They've come down from Esher
and Hampton, Kingston and Westmin-
ster and from London city. like so many
buZzing insects seeking whom they can
annoy.
Now on the ground suddenly tripping
pompous dame off her feet anon in rows,
some half dozen of them. elbow to elbow.
head foremost. charging the more serious
crowd, and with a boot and yell scat
tering it like a plumber of frightened Cos
lings. Yet again at the confect booth.
to the distraction of vendors o: honey
cakes, stealing sugar plums and damson
cheese. fighting, quarreling. screeching.
their thin legs clad in hose of faded
blue or gray worried. their jenkins loose.
their shirt sleeves Tapping in the breeze,
a cool note of white amidst the dark
eolored gowns of the older men.
HeShens above, what to-do
of womfn be-cJiffed, appareled
in bSf~Sirtles aid modish shoes. were
pressAg Jbund booth where pantoufies,
embrck>NEed pouthes. kerchiefs and vel
veted pApiers W ere laid out in tempting
JUN bsAond a number of buxom coun-
tryS~-nches. wi th round red arms, show
jEg Le-- 10 the grillng sun. and laughing
feyes. aglow with ill-concealed gourmand-
tise. were gaping at mighty display OF
bullets harszaard pigeons, sides of roe
Duck and<Taurches of wild boar, ready
81 kedSyrussed and skewered- fit to tempt
la majesty's grace's own royal palate
= sbrigs of sweet-scented marioram.
thyme and woodlands tastefully disposed
futter enhancedslthe attractions of this
succGent show. Twas enough to make
the sweetest mouth water with antici-
patory delight; a brown-eyed. apple
checked wench in paniers of brilliant red
was unaffectedly licking heI pretty lips.
cThis way mistress. this way shouted
theNender of these appetzng wares.
sturdy fellow be. with singer-colored pate
and WELDING long narrow-bladed knife
In his 6csby hand. This way. haunch
OF buck rom the royal venery! A hare
from her liege majesty.s own chase. a
pUllet from"
Nay. thou gorbellied knave" respond
ed a vender Of drugs and herbs close by
whose stall was somewhat deserted and
whose temper was obviously suffering.
Nay an thoI spsakest the truth thou
art thief. but If not. then thou'rt liarl
In either case art fit for the hangman's
rope"
This way, my masters, this way"
came in loud stentorian cries from a
ueighboring booth; this way for Peter
the Juggler. the greatest conjuror the
world has ever seem"
This way, l pray YOU, worthy sirs,'
this from yet another place OF entertain
ment This way for John the Tumbler!"
Peter the Juggler will swallow a cross
bow of steel before your very eyes!"
shouted one crier.
John the Tumbler will climb st. Ethel
Duryea's steeple without help of rope or
ladder," called the other.
Peter will show you how to shoe
turkey. how to put salt on a swallows
tail and how TO have your cake and eat
it."
John will sit on two stools without
coming to the ground"
Marry, and ye both lie faster than my
mule can trotr' came in hilarious accents
from one of the crowd
And Peter the JuSgler will show thee
how to make thy mule trot faster than
thou canst lie. friend" responded .-eter's
crier unabashed, land q mighty diff
cult task it viii be, I'll warrant"
Laughing, Joking ogling like some tickle
Jade! the crowd passed from booth to
booth: now dropping a few coins in Peter
the JugGleTs hat. now watching the an
ties Of John the Tumbler; anon looking
on amazed. half-terrihed. at the evolution
Of a gigantic brown bear, led by the nose
and cross artered hose, and accompa MED
mighty sackbut until his cheeks looked
eFV4er