_Greenock Fair._--A very curious custom existed in this town, and in the
neighbouring town of Port-Glasgow, within forty years; it has now entirely
disappeared. I cannot but look upon it as a last remnant of the troublous
times when arms were in all hands, and property liable to be openly and
forcibly seized by bands of armed men. This custom was, that the whole
trades of the town, in the dresses of their guilds, with flags and music,
each man armed, made a grand rendezvous at the place where the fair was to
be held, and with drawn swords and array of guns and pistols, surrounded
the booths, and greeted the baillie's announcement by tuck of drum, "that
Greenock fair was open," by a tremendous shout, and a straggling fire from
every serviceable barrel in the crowd, and retired, bands playing and flags
flying, &c., home. Does any such _wappenschau_ occur in England on such
occasions now?