_A Foreigner’s View of the Fair._—1598. Paul Hentzner, a German tutor, travelled this year through Germany, France, Italy, and England, and kept an “Itinerarum,” of which many editions have been published. I quote the following description of Bartholomew Fair from the Aungervyle Society’s translation (1881):—“It is worthy of observation that every year upon St. Bartholomew’s Day, when a fair is held, it is usual for the Mayor, attended by the twelve principal Aldermen, to walk in a neighbouring field dressed in his Scarlet Gown, and about his neck a Golden Chain, to which is hung a Golden Fleece, and besides that particular ornament, which distinguished the most noble Order of the Garter ... himself and they on horseback; upon their arrival at a place appointed for that purpose, where a tent is pitched, the mob begin to wrestle before them, two at a time; the conquerors receive rewards from the magistrates. After this is over, a parcel of live rabbits are turned loose among the crowd, which are pursued by a number of boys who endeavour to catch them, with all the noise they can make. While we were at this show, one of our company, Tobias Salander, Doctor of Physic, had his pocket picked of his purse, with nine crowns _du soleil_, which without doubt was so cleverly taken from him by an Englishman who always kept close to him, that the Doctor did not the least perceive it.” [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XVII. THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 1603. The plague was again threatening the City, and James I. issued a proclamation, dated from Hampton Court, 8th August, ordaining that for the “desire of preventing an universal contagion among our people,” that (_inter alia_) Bartholomew Fair should not be holden, “nor anything appertaining unto them, at the times accustomed, _nor any time till they shall be licensed by us_.” These last words might have been held to imply more than was directly understood. _Proclamation by City of London._—1604. The arrangement of 1596 prepared the way for the Corporation taking the active control of the fair. Hence among the Orders of my Lord Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Sheriffs for their meetings and wearing of their apparel through this year, was the following:— “ON SAINT BARTHOLOMEW’S EVEN FOR THE FAIR IN SMITHFIELD.—The Aldermen meet my Lord and the Sheriffs at the Guildhall Chapel, at two of the Clock after dinner, in their violet gowns lined, and their horses, without cloaks, and there hear Evening Prayer; which being done, they take their horses and ride to Newgate, and so forth to the gate entering in at the Cloth Fair, and there make a Proclamation,” which was as follows:—