1698. A Frenchman, Monsieur Sorbière, visiting London, says: “I was at Bartholomew Fair. It consists of most Toy Shops, also Fiance, and Picture, Ribbon Shops, no Books; many shops of Confectioners, where any woman may commodiously be treated. Knavery is here in perfection, dexterous Cut-purses and Pickpockets. I went to see the Dancing on the Ropes, which was admirable. Coming out, I met a man that would have took off my hat, but I secured it, and was going to draw my sword, crying out ‘Begar! Damn’d Rogue! Morbleu,’ &c., when on a sudden I heard a hundred People about me, crying, ‘Here Monsieur, see “Jephthah’s Rash Vow.”’ ‘Here, Monsieur, see “The Tall Dutchwoman.”’ ‘See “The Tiger,”’ says another. ‘See “The Horse and No Horse,” whose tail stands where his head should do.’ ‘See the “German Artist,” Monsieur.’ ‘See the “Siege of Namur,” Monsieur;’ so that betwixt Rudeness and Civility I was forc’d to get into a fiacre, and with an air of haste and a full trot, got home to my lodgings.” [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XVIII. EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES. 1700. _Stage Plays and Interludes._—The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen resolved that no booths should be permitted to be erected in Smithfield this year; but on the 6th August it was announced that “the lessees of West Smithfield having on Friday last represented to the Court of Aldermen at Guildhall that it would be highly injurious to them to have the erection of all booths there totally prohibited, the Right Hon. Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen have, in consideration of the premises, granted licence to erect some booths during the time of Bartholomew Fair now approaching: but none are permitted for music-booths, or any that may be means to promote debauchery.” And on the 23rd, when the Lord Mayor went on horseback to proclaim the Fair, he ordered two music-booths to be taken down immediately. 1701. On the 4th June this year the Grand Jury of Middlesex made a presentment to the following effect:—