gument, however, at the road-side chapel, we must proceed
to the fair, where the "busy hum of men" announced the approach of the
mayor and corporate body to make proclamation. First are,

Mr. Samuel Saul, the beadle, and his
assistant, in full costume, with their
staves tipped with silver, bearing
the arms of the Corporation.
Next followed two trumpeters, in gowns,
on horseback.
Sackbut and clarionets.
The mace.
The Worshipful the Mayor, in a scarlet gown.
The Vicar of Barnwell, (formerly the
Abbot,) and other of the Clergy
and Collegians.
The Corporate Body, two and two.
The Deputy Beadle.
All the train, as above, on horseback,
robed in full costume.

Then followed Gentlemen and Ladies in
their carriages and on horseback,
invited by the Mayor to the grand
dinner given on the occasion.

The proclamation was read, (heads uncovered,) first at the upper end
of the fair, next in the Mead where the pottery and coal fair were
held, and last at a little inn near the horse fair, in which place a
"Pied-poudre" court was held during the fair, for deciding disputes
between buyers and sellers, and for punishing abuses and breaches of the
peace in a summary way--stocks and a whipping-post being placed before
the door for that purpose. Here the mayor and the cavalcade partook of
some refreshment.

Should the harvest be backward, and the corn not off the ground, the
booths, nevertheless, are erected, the farmers being, as they admit,
more than indemnified for their losses in that case, by the immense
quantity of litter, offal, and soil left on the ground after the
standings and booths are cleared away; besides which, they seize on
every thing left upon the land after a fixed day. This has sometimes
occurred, and the forfeiture of the goods and chattels so seized has
been recognised judicially as a fine for the trespass. This local
custom, sanctioned by usage from time immemorial, is without appeal.

The booths were from 15 to 20 feet wide by 25 to 30 feet deep; they were
set out in two apartments, the one behind, about 10 feet wide, serving
for bed-room, dining-room, parlour, and dressing-room, The bedstead
was of _four posts and a lath bottom_, on which was laid a truss of
clean, dry straw, serving as a palliasse, with bed and bedding. The
front was fitted up with cou