Golden Rod. _Solidago virgaurea._
Dedicated to _St. Margaret_.
[272] Athæneum.
~September 3.~
_St. Simeon Stylites_, the younger, A. D. 592. _St. Remaclus_, Bp. of
Maestricht, A. D. 664. _St. Mansuet_, first Bp. of Toul, in Lorrain,
A. D. 375. _St. Macrisius_, first Bp. of Connor, in Ireland, A. D.
513.
_Proclamation of_
BARTHOLOMEW FAIR.
This is the only Fair now held within the city of London, and, as
introductory to an account of this annual scene, it is necessary to
notice that it has been the custom from time immemorial for one of the
four attorneys of the lord mayor’s court, who may happen to be what is
termed the attorney in waiting, (and which duty in respect of
proclaiming the Fair for the last seven years has devolved upon Mr.
Carter,) to accompany the lord mayor in his state carriage from the
Mansion-house to Smithfield, on the day whereon the Fair is proclaimed,
which is on the 3d of September, unless Sunday should fall on that day.
The proclamation is read at the gate leading into Cloth-fair by the lord
mayor’s attorney, and repeated after him by a sheriff’s officer, in the
presence of the lord mayor and sheriffs, and also of the aldermen, (if
they attend, but who, though summoned for that purpose, seldom appear.)
The procession afterwards proceeds round Smithfield, and returns to the
Mansion-house, where, in the afternoon, the gentlemen of his lordship’s
household dine together at the sword-bearer’s table, and thus the
ceremony is concluded. It was also the custom of the procession to stop
at Newgate to drink to the governor’s health, but this practice was
discontinued in the second mayoralty of Mr. Alderman Wood.
The following is a copy of the proclamation from the parchment-roll now
used:--
“~Form~ _of the Proclamation of_ ~Bartholomew Fair~ _made at the Great
Gate going into the Cloth Fair, Smithfield_.
“OYEZ, 3 times.
“~The Right Honourable~ [_John Garratt_] ~Lord Mayor~ of the CITY OF
LONDON, and his right Worshipful Brethren the Aldermen of the said City,
streightly charge and command, on the behalf of our Sovereign Lord the
King, That all manner of Persons of whatsoever Estate, Degree, or
Condition they be, having recourse to this Fair, keep the Peace of our
said Sovereign Lord the King.
“THAT no manner of Persons shall make any Congregation, Conventicles, or
Affrays, by the which the same peace may be broken or disturbed, upon
pain of Imprisonment, and Fine, to be made after the discretion of the
Lord Mayor and Aldermen.
“ALSO, that all manner of Sellers of Wine, Ale, or Beer, sell by
measures ensealed, as by Gallon, Pottle, Quart and Pint, upon pain that
will fall thereof.
“AND, that no person sell any Bread, but it be good and wholesome for
Man’s Body, upon pain that will fall thereof.
“AND, that no manner of Cook, Pye-baker, nor Huckster, sell, nor put to
sale, any manner of Victual, except it be good and wholesome for Man’s
Body, upon pain that will fall thereof.
“AND, that no manner of Person buy nor sell, but with true weights and
measures, sealed according to the Statute, in that behalf made, upon
pain that will fall thereof.
“AND, that no manner of person or persons take upon him, or them, within
this Fair, to make any manner of arrest, attachment, summons, or
execution; except it be done by the Officers of this City, thereunto
assigned, upon pain that will fall thereof.
“AND, that no person or persons whatsoever, within the limits and bounds
of this Fair, presume to break the Lord’s day in selling, shewing, or
offering to Sale, or in buying, or in offering to buy, any Commodities
whatsoever; or in sitting tippling, or drinking in any Tavern, Inn,
Alehouse, Tipling House or Cook house; or in doing any other thing that
may tend to the breach thereof, upon the pain and penalties contained in
several Acts of Parliament, which will be severely inflicted upon the
Breakers thereof.
“AND, finally, that what person soever find themselves aggrieved,
injured, or wronged, by any manner of Person in this Fair, that they
come with their Plaints before the Stewards in this Fair assigned to
hear and determine Pleas, and they will minister to all parties,
Justice, according to the Laws of this Land, and the Customs of this
City.
~God save the King.~
“IT IS ORDERED that this Fair do finally close on [_Wednesday_] next.
“N. B. This Fair continues 3 days, exclusive of the day of
Proclamation.”
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