road, were slop-sellers, dealers in
haubergs, wagoners' frocks, and other habiliments for ploughmen; and
next, the Hatters'-row. Behind Garlick-row, next the show booths, stood
the basket fair, where were sold rakes for haymakers, scythe-hafts, and
other implements of husbandry, of which one dealer has been known to
sell a wagon-load or two.

Having now made the promenade of the fair, let us step into one of
the suttling booths. The principal booth was the Robin Hood, behind
Garlick-row, which was fitted up with a good sized kitchen, detached
from a long room and parlour. Here were tables covered with baize, and
settles of common boards covered with matting. The roof covering was of
hair cloth, the same as the shops, but not boarded.

When a new-comer or fresh man arrived to keep the fair, he was required
to submit to the ceremony of christening, as it was called, which was
performed as follows:--On the night following the horse-fair day, which
was the principal day of the whole fair, a select party occupied the
parlour of the Robin Hood, or some other suttling booth, to which the
novice was introduced, as desirous of being admitted a member, and of
being initiated. He was then required to choose two of the company as
sponsors, and being placed in an arm-chair, his shoes were taken off,
and his head uncovered. The officiator, vested in a cantab's gown and
cap, with a book in one hand and a bell in the other, with a verger on
each side, robed, and holding staves (alias broomsticks) and candles,
preceded by the suttler, bearing a bowl of punch, entered the parlour,
and demanded "If there was an infidel present?" Being answered, "Yes,"
he asked, "What did he require?" Answer. "To be initiated." _Q._
"Where are the oddfathers?" _R._ "Here we are." He then proceeded
as follows:--

(_Plain chant_.)

"Over thy head I ring this bell,
[_Rings the bell_,
Because thou art an infidel,
And such I know thee by thy smell.

CHORUS.

With a hoccius proxius mandamus,
Let no vengeance light on him,
And so call upon him."

Supper was then served up, at the moderate charge of one shilling
a head, exclusive of beer and liquors. The cloth being cleared, the
smokers ranged themselves round the fire, and kept up the meeting with
mirth and harmony, till all retired and were lulled to anticipating
dreams of the profits of the coming day, to which they woke with the
sun,