** Moorfields during the holiday seasons was an epitome of Bartlemy Fair. Its booths and scaffolds had flags flying on the top. A stage near the Windmill Tavern, opposite Old Beth-lem, was famous for its grinning-matches. Moorfields had one novel peculiarity, viz. that whilst the Merry Andrew was practising his buffooneries and legerdemain tricks in one quarter, the itinerant Methodist preacher was holding forth in another. Foote makes his ranting parson exclaim, “Near the mad mansions of Moorfields I 'll bawl, Come fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, all, Shut up your shops and listen to my call!” The Act 12 of Queen Anne aimed at the suppression of the Moorfields' merriments. The showmen asked Justice Fuller to license them in April, 1717, but in vain. Fuller had a battle-royal with Messrs. Saunders and Margaret, two Middlesex justices, who sided with the conjurors, and forbade the execution of his warrant. Justice Fuller, however, having declared war against Moorfields' mountebanking, was inexorable, and committed the insurgents to the house of correction; from whence, after three hours' durance vile, they were released by three other magistrates. Kennington Common was also a favourite spot for this odd variety of sports. It was here that Mr. Mawworm encountered the brick-bats of his congregation, and had his “pious tail” illuminated with the squibs and crackers of the unre- generate. This fair commenced in the New River pipe-fields, and continued in a direct line as far as the top of Elm Street, where it terminated. The equestrians always made a point of galloping their donkeys furiously past the house of correction! no more; the Gooseberry Fairs * of Clerkenwell and Tottenham Court Road, (the minor Newmarket and Doncaster of Donkey-racing!) are come to a brick-and-mortary end. * “April 9, 1748.--At the Amphitheatrical Booth at Tottenham Court, on Monday next (being Easter Monday), Mr. French, designing to please all, in making his Country Wake complete by doubling the prizes given to be played for, as well as the sports, has engaged some of the best gamesters, Country against London, to make sides. For Cudgelling, a laced hat, value one pound five shillings, or one guinea in gold; for Wrestling, one guinea; Money for Boxing, besides Stage- money. And, to crown the diversion of the day, he gives a fine Smock to be jigged for by Northern Lasses against the Nymphs to the westward of St. Giles's Church--to be entered at the Royal Oak, in High Street, by Hob, Clerk of the Revels, or his deputy. The doors will be opened at eleven o'clock; the sport to begin at two. Cudgelling as usual before the prizes. Best seats, Two Shillings; Pit and First Gallery, One Shilling; Upper Gallery, Sixpence.”