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.”
Mr. French advertises, May 12, 1748, at his booth at Tottenham Court, six men sewed up in sacks to run six times the length of the stage backwards and forwards for a prize,-- a prize for wrestling and dancing to the pipe and tabor,-- and the gladiator's dance. He also kept the race-course in Tothill-Fields, August 4, 1749.
“August 8, 1730.--At Reynold's Great Theatrical Booth, in Tottenham Court, during the time of the Fair, will be presented a Comical, Tragical, Farcical Droll, called The Rum Duke and the Queer Duke, or a Medley of Mirth and Sorrow. To which will be added a celebrated Operatical Puppet-Show, called Punch's Oratory, or the Pleasures of the Town; containing several diverting passages, particularly a very elegant dispute between Punch and another great Orator (Henley?); Punch's Family Lecture, or Joan's Chimes on her tongue to some tune. No Wires--all alive! With entertainments of Daneing by Monsieur St. Luce, and others.”