Punch (16.1849)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

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M r. Pips his Diary,

Tuesday, May 29, 1849. Down the River with Browne by Steam to
Greenwich to view the Pair, which is holden there yearly this Day,
being Whit-Tuesday. _ We first to a Tavern, being hungry; but
with Stout and Sandwiches that Complaint soon cured, and while there
it did astonish me to see the Numbers of People landed continually,
Cargo after Cargo, on the Pier, and no doubt the Railway brought down
as many more. Methought any Foreigner among them would expect
rare Diversions and Pastimes in a Scene that could draw such a Con-
course to witness it, judging from the Fun and Gaiety of their Fetes
and Merry-makings abroad, and not being acquainted with the Manners
and Customs of us English. After leaving the Tavern, to the Park,
where young Fellow3 and Hoydens at Archery, Donkey Riding, playing
at Kiss-in-the-Ring and running down the Hill, romping, tripping,'and
'tumbling over Head and Heels, with Shouting, Screaming, and Laughter.
Then down to the Fair, which is made in a narrow Space in the Town
by a Couple of Rows of Booths and Sweet-Meat and Toy-Stalls, with
Raree Shows at the farther End, and Swings and Roundabouts on the
Outside. The Lane between the Booths and Stalls most intolerably
crammed; and we having to force our Way through the Throng,
and between Walls hung with Dolls and gilt Ginger-Bread. The

Stalls and Booths crowded also, and the Tobacco Smoke rising
from the Drinking Places like a Fog. Young Prentice-Blades and Shop
Boys pushing about with large Masquerade Noses, but whether for the
Entertainment of the Public or their own, I could not tell. But the
chief Amusement of these Roysterers and the frolicsome Wenches do
seem to be scratching one another, and the Company in general, behind,
with a Scraper, which is a notched Disk of Wood, that turns on an Axle
in a Mortise, with a Handle some six Inches long, and being dragged
down a Man's Back, do make him believe that his Coat is torn, as 1
thought mine was, when first served so, which did trouble me. With
this Noise of continual Tearing, and the Squeaking of Tin Trumpets, and
Blowing of Whistles, and Half-a-Dozen different Bands playing as many
Tunes, is altogether made a most discordant Musique ; amid which the
Showmen bellowing to the Spectators to walk up, do complete the Babel.
It was strange to see the Hohday-Makers, Lads and Lasses, heaved up and
down, over and under, in the Swings, and to think what Pleasure they
can take in such a Motion, which did make me giddy only to look at';
but methinks a Physician might prescribe it in Lieu of a Sea Voyage.
With much Ado, for the Throng, to Richardson's Show, where a
Tragedy, a Comic Song and a Pantomime all in Half an Hour, and the