I have in another place recommended the reader to visit Smithfield at eleven o'clock at night, in order to obtain a perfect knowledge of the amusements substituted for a Fair. The facetious George Alexander Steevens wrote the
following ludicrous but strictly just description of it about 1762:
"Here was, first of all, crowds against other crowds driving,
Like wind and tide meeting, each contrary striving;
Shrill fiddling, sharp fighting, and shouting and shrieking,
Fifes, trumpets, drums, bagpipes, and barrow-girls squeaking,
Come, my rare round and sound, here's choice of fine ware,
Though all was not sound sold at Bartelmew Fair.
There was drolls, hornpipe-dancing, and showing of postures,
With frying black-puddings, and opening of oysters;