Merrie England in the Olden Time. George Daniel

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       ** “A New Summons to all the Merry (Wagtail) Jades to attend

       at Horn Fair”—“A New Summons to Horn Fair” both without a

       date.

      “Around whose brink

      Bards rush in droves, like cart-horses to drink,

      Dip their dark beards among its streams so clear,

      And while they gulp it, wish it ale or beer,”

      and illustrated by the Cruikshank of his day. Mile-end Green, in ancient times, had its popular exhibitions;—

      “Lord Pomp, let nothing that's magnificall,

      Or that may tend to London's graceful state,

      Be unperformed—as showes and solemne feastes,

      Watches in armour, triumphes, cresset-lightes,

      Bonefiers, belles, and peales of ordinance.

      And, Pleasure, see that plaies be published,

      Maie-games and maskes, with mirth and minstrelsie;

      Pageants and School-feastes, beares and puppit-plaies:

      Myselfe will muster upon Mile-end-greene,

      As though we saw, and feared not to be seene.”

      And the royal town of Windsor, * and the racecourse in Tothill-Fields ** were not without their merriments.

      * “The Three Lordes and Three Ladies of London,” 1590.