1750. Alderman Blackford being mayor, he proclaimed in the middle of July his determination to reduce the fair to its original three days, and to use the powers of the Licensing Act (10 Geo. II.) for the more effectual punishment of rogues and vagabonds. He herein acted upon the representation of more than a hundred of the chief graziers, salesmen, and inhabitants of Smithfield, who complained that the “insolent violation of the law” by the fair people not only encouraged profligacy, but also obstructed business for six weeks! The time occupied in putting up and taking down the booths being a time also of great hindrance to the usual Smithfield marketing and trading. The real suppression of the fair as a fourteen day riot, dates from this time. 1751. The attempted strict limitation of the fair to three days led to considerable disturbances. Birch, a deputy marshal of the city, received injuries which proved fatal. 1752. The alteration of the calendar transferred the 3rd September into the 14th. Old Bartholomew’s Day stood at this new date on the calendar. This event very much aided in shortening the period of the fair. _Vide_ “Morley,” p. 449. 1753. There was a great demonstration against the claim of the Corporation to levy tolls upon the goods of citizens, as well as upon those of strangers, during the time of the fair. Richard Holland, a leather-seller in Newgate Street, had in the preceding year refused the toll demanded on a roll of leather with which he had attempted to enter the fair, and on the leather being seized by the collector, had called a constable, and charged the impounder with theft. The squabble resulted in an action against the Corporation, which was not tried, however, until 1754, when the result was in favour of the citizens, and against the Corporation claims. While the action was pending Holland’s cart was driven through the fair with a load of hay, and was not stopped by the collector of tolls. The horses’ heads were decorated with ribbons, and on the leaders forehead was a card, upon which the following doggerel lines were written in a bold hand:— My master keeps me well, ’tis true, And justly pays whatever is due; Now plainly, not to mince the matter, No toll he pays but with a halter. On each side of the load of hay hung a halter, and a paper bearing the following announcement:— The time is approaching, if not already come, That all British subjects may freely pass on; And not on pretence of Bartholomew Fair Make you pay for your passage, with all your bring near.— When once it is try’d, ever after depend on, ’Twill incur the same fate as on Finchley Common. Give Cæsar his due, when by law ’tis demanded, And those that deserve with this halter be hanged.