As the following extract from Gorr's _Liverpool Directory_ appears to bear
upon the point, and as it does not seem to have yet attracted the attention
of any of your correspondents, I beg to forward it:--
"Its (_i.e._ Liverpool's) fair-days are 25th July and 11th Nov. Ten
days before and ten days after each fair-day, a hand is exhibited in
front of the Town-hall, which denotes protection; during which time no
person coming to or going from the town on business connected with the
fair can be arrested for debt within its liberty."
I have myself frequently observed the "hand," although I could not discover
any appearance of a fair being held.