'The Musick, Songs and Dances are all by the best Performers of their kind, whom Mr. Pinkeman has Entertained at extraordinary Charge, purely to give a full Satisfaction to the Town. Vivat Regina.'

'At Ben Johnson's Booth (by Mrs. Mynn's Company of Actors). In the Rounds in Smithfield, during the Fair, Will be presented an excellent Entertainment, being the Famous History of Whittington, Lord Mayor of London: Wherein besides the Variety of Songs and Dances, will be shown an extraordinary View of several stately and surprising Scenes; as a Rowling Sea, bearing a large Ship under Sayl, with Neptune, Mermaids, Dolphins, &c. Also a Prospect of a Moorish Country, so swarming with Rats and Mice, that they over run the King and Queen's Table at Dinner; Likewise a large diverting Scene of Tapestry, fill'd with all living Figures; and lastly, concluding with a Lord Mayor's Triumph, in which are presented nine several Pageants, being Six Elephants and Castles, a Magnificent Temple, and two Triumphal Chariots, one drawn by two Lyons, and the other by two Dolphins; in all which are seated above twenty Persons in various Dresses; with Flaggs, Scutcheons, Streamers, &c. The Preparation and Decoration of which infinitely exceed both in Expence and Grandeur, all that has ever been seen on a Stage in the Fair. The Chief Parts are performed by Actors from both Theatres. Vivat Regina.'

Here we see a departure from the old drolls, and a reliance on the part of the management on mechanical and spectacular effects: besides which, there was the puppet show, pure and simple. 'By Her Majesties Permission. At Heatly's Booth, Over against the Cross Daggers, next to Mr. Miller's Booth; During the time of Bartholomew Fair, will be presented a Little Opera, Call'd, The Old Creation of the World Newly Reviv'd, With the Addition of the Glorious Battle obtained over the French and Spaniards, by his Grace the Duke of Marlborough. The Contents are these—

This show seems to have been popular, for in another fair we have it again with variations: 'At Crawly's Booth, over against the Crown Tavern in Smithfield during the time of Bartholomew Fair, will be presented a little Opera call'd, The Old Creation of the World, yet newly reviv'd, with the addition of Noah's Flood; also several Fountains playing Water during the time of the Play.

'The last Scene does present Noah and his Family coming out of the Ark, with all the Beasts, two by two, and all the Fowls of the Air seen in a Prospect sitting upon the Trees. Likewise over the Ark is seen the Sun rising in a most glorious manner, moreover a multitude of Angels will be seen in a double rank, which presents a double prospect, one for the Sun, the other for a Palace, where will be seen six Angels, ringing six Bells.

'Likewise Machines descends from above, double and trible, with Dives rising out of Hell, and Lazarus seen in Abraham's bosom, besides several Figures dancing Jiggs, Sarabrands, and Country Dances, to the Admiration of all Spectators; with the merry Conceit of Squire Punch and Sir John Spendall.

'All this is compleated with an Entertainment of Singing and Dancing with several Naked Swords, Perform'd by a Child of Eight Years of Age, to the general Satisfaction of all Persons. Vivat Regina.'

As a specimen of the dancing booth Ward visited, take the following handbill: 'James Miles, From Sadler's Wells, at Islington; Now keeps the Gun Musick Booth, in Bartholomew Fair. Whereas Mr. Miles by his Care and Diligence to oblige the Gentry, and all others that are Lovers and Judges of good Musick, has put himself to an extraordinary Charge, in getting such Performers, as, no doubt, will give a general Satisfaction to all. This is also to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, That they may be accommodated with all Sorts of Wine, and other Liquors; with several extraordinary Entertainments of Singing and Dancing, which was never perform'd at the Fair, viz.:—