THE FROST FAIR.
Wednesday, Feb. 2.—The Thames now was a complete Frost Fair. The Grand Mall, or walk, was from Blackfriars Bridge to London Bridge. This was named "The City Road," and was lined on both sides with booths and petty tradesmen of all descriptions. Eight or ten printing presses were erected, and numerous pieces commemorative of the "Great Frost" were printed on the Ice. Many of these have come down to us; among them are the following:
"Amidst the Arts which on the Thames appear,
To tell the wonders of this icy year,
Printing claims prior place, which, at one view,
Erects a monument of That and You."
"You that walk here, and do design to tell
Your children's children what this year befell,
Come, buy this print, and it will then be seen
That such a year as this hath seldom been."
"Friends, now is your time to support the Freedom of the Press. Can the Press have greater liberty? Here you find it working in the middle of the Thames; and if you encourage us by buying our impressions, we will keep it going in the true spirit of liberty, during the Frost."
"Behold, the River Thames is frozen o'er,
Which, lately, ships of mighty burden bore;
Now, different arts and pastimes here you see,
But printing claims superiority."
Besides the above, the Lord's Prayer, and several other pieces were issued from these Presses, and they were bought, as mementos, with great avidity.
Thursday, Feb. 3.—More people than ever ventured on the ice. Swings, book-stalls, dancing in a barge, drinking and eating booths, skittles, knock-'em-downs, and all the apurtenances to a Fair on land were there on the Thames. The ice was strong and firm, and although there were fairly smooth parts, yet, in the main, it was very rough.
Friday, Feb. 4.—Every day brought more people, and additions to the petty merchants who vended their wares, at twice or thrice their value, because of the rarity. Any old goods could be passed off if only duly labelled "Bought on the Thames," "From Frost Fair," &c., and money was literally shovelled into their pockets, as every one wanted some lasting reminiscence of this great Frost. The watermen mulcted all who visited the Fair, of 2d. or 3d., and you were expected to repeat the compliment on your return. They were said to have taken as much as £6 each, in the course of the day.
An ugly accident was nearly happening this day, for three persons—an old man, and two lads—having ventured on a piece of ice above London Bridge, it suddenly detached itself from the main body, and was carried by the tide through one of the arches. They threw themselves flat upon the ice for safety, and, luckily, were observed by the boatmen at Billingsgate, who, with laudable activity, put off to their assistance, and rescued them from their impending danger. One of them was able to walk, but the other two were carried, in a state of insensibility, to a public-house, where they received every attention their situation required.