"COME TO THE FAIR."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

"COME TO THE FAIR."

DAYS. OF JOLLITY. AN EPITOME OF COMMERCE. (By STEVIE.) Fairs may be said to be of great antiquity, dating back as they do to the middle ages. These displays were principally for the sale of various wares, and were largely born of the guild movement. Every large town had its market, to which the farmer brought his produce, and as the sphere of attraction widened, buyers were drawn from distant parts. These were the days of the pack train, while much merchandise was borne on the stout backs of pedlars, who could be found on every road in Christendom. Among the best known of fairs were those of Paris of the towns of the Champagne district; Bruges in Flanders, Frankfort on the Main, and' the far northern great fair of Nizhni-Novgorod. •The old time fair could be. described as a veritable bazaar, for here could be found every commodity known to ancient commerce. Under the snapping flags and banners clustered poultry, pigs, and oxen; trinkets, rugs arid ribbons; s'ilks and velvets; swords and daggers; jewels, statuary and carvings. Parrots, too, and chattering monkeys, and even weeping slaves were among the offering at these old time functions. Patches of colour as they were breaking the deadly monotony of those medieval days, these fairs, not only took on the sale and display of merchandise, but brought a full measure of jollity ahd relaxation. For the merchant's lighter hours, there were many attractions — dancing bears, tumblers and clowns, ■wrestling, and bouts with quarter staves. At night, however, it was wise for respectable burghers to bar their doors, for then the bonfire blazed and roysterers were, abroad. The lights from uproarious taverns gleamed, and gamesters, rogues and rascals held high revel. There was clamour of voices, the emptying of flagons, the clink of gold, the quick quarrel, the flash of steel, and, alas, the prone corpse of some poor reveller. Gradually, as the years rolled by, these fairs altered. Those* in England became known as not only great days' for the vending of cattle, goods, etc., but as important labour hiring fixtures. The farmer's wife, domiciled for the day at the Red hostel, would be bent on securing a couple of sturdy dairymaids, while her good man would hire "wagoners, ploughmen, shepherds, etc. A little whipcord and coloured ribbon twined in the hat would denote the man of horses, while the shepherd was content with displaying a lock of wool. Let us peep into the oak raftered dining room of the Red Lion for a moment, for dinner is being served. Mine host, - portly and bland, attired in white apron, carved the huge, sirloin of beef, which is brought in liberally garnished withhorseradish. Yorkshire pudding, and piled up dishes of home grown vegetables are in evidence. Later reinforced by the steaming plum pudding, and giant apple pies, a fitting meal is made for hungry "farmer folk. ' The English pleasure fair of the 'eighties was quite a pretentious gathering, and for days, caravans, roundabouts, sideshows etc., would pour into the town. The most imposing item was the large steam roundabout with its attached organ blaring out the popular airs of the day. The gaily painted chariots and gaudy horses were the admiration of troops of boys and girls who never tired of watching the engine's shining brass work and listening to its shrill whistle. The gipsy family of the Lees would be represented there with their swa,rthy men and handsome women striking a note of' something foreign to English eyes. The men folk would essay a little horse dealing if opportunity offered, while the children would dispose of the dyed split willow Jbaskets, clothes pegs, and tinware of gipsy make. The young wonian in charge of the big shooting gallery would be a pure Romany type with clean • cut features, and olive complexion, and possessing a superb figure, the ( witehery of her piercing black eyes, attracting the young bloods of the town, and bringing much business to her stall. Over yonder stands a tent with a large poster depicting a young fellow stripped to the buff with a pair of boxing glomes dangling from one hand. At intervals the sparring partner would come out on a platform, and pointing to the poster inform the crowd that it represented "Bill Barker/' the West Country Wonder, and one equal in science to the famous Jim Mace. A moment later, the redoubtable Bill would appear in person, and the sports of the place would be invited to stay three rounds With-the cha,mpion for £1. Scattered around would be seen "Vanishing Lady" shows, fortune telling tents and peep shows, while five legged sheep and giant pigs could be seen for a few pence. Wares of all kinds werG on sale "With n6vdltieS And catchpenny goods for the country folk. The wagoner over there has spent a whole week's wages on one of those wonderful whips only obtainable at fair time. Eight feet long and brass ringed for half its length, and with a brand new penny fixed in the but, it was indeed the • teamster's pride. As night approaches, the local tradesmen have closed their shops and with naptha lamps flaring out, the scene is one not easily forgotten. By eleven o'clock the crowd melts away and ostlers are busy getting the farmers away in their roomy gigs, the children, tired and sleepy, being tucked away somehoiv. • Soon the ~ twinkling lights of the vehicles will be seen moving along the country roads, while back-at the fair grounds, the. tired showmen will be packing up their gear/ and their caravane will also be on the move. The next day or- So, the local justices will have a few minor cases to deal with, but in the main, these pleasure fairs were harmless enough, as. indeed were most of the recreations of the folk of Merrie Old Eiigland in the 'eighties.