Should the harvest be backward, and the corn not off the ground, the booths, nevertheless, are erected, the farmers being, as they admit, more than indemnified for their losses in that case, by the immense quantity of litter, offal, and soil left on the ground after the standings and booths are cleared away; besides which, they seize on every thing left upon the land after a fixed day.  This has sometimes occurred, and the forfeiture of the goods and chattels so seized has been recognised judicially as a fine for the trespass.  This local custom, sanctioned by usage from time immemorial, is without appeal.

The booths were from 15 to 20 feet wide by 25 to 30 feet deep; they were set out in two apartments, the one behind, about 10 feet wide, serving for bed-room, dining-room, parlour, and dressing-room, The bedstead was of four posts and a lath bottom, on which was laid a truss of clean, dry straw, serving as a palliasse, with bed and bedding.  The front was fitted up with counters and shelves.  The stubble was well trodden into the ground; over which were laid sawdust and boards behind and before the counters, to secure the feet from damp.  The shutters, of the space allowed for the windows, were fixed with hinges, and when let down, rested upon brackets, serving as showboards for goods.  The booths were constructed of new boards, with gutters for carrying the rain off, and covered with stout hair cloth, with which also a covering was made to an arcade in front, about 10 feet wide.  Under this the company walked, protected from rain or the heat of the sun.

The proclamation being made, the clamour and din from the trumpets, drums, gongs, and other noisy instruments, began.  The road from Cambridge was actually covered with post-chaises, hackney-coaches from London, gigs, and carts, which brought visiters to the fair from Jesus-lane, in Cambridge, at sixpence each.  As soon as you passed the village of Barnwell, your attention was attracted by flags streaming from the show-booths, suttling-booths, &c.; whilst your ears were stunned with the “harsh discord” of a thousand Stentorian bawlers, and the clang of jarring instruments of music.  The show-booths were the first on entering the fair, being situated on the north side of the high road.  Here were three companies of players, viz. the Norwich company, a very large booth; Mrs. Baker’s, whose clown, Lewy Owen, was “a fellow of infinite jest and merriment;” and Bailey’s.  The latter had formerly been a merchant, and was the compiler of a Directory which bore his name, and was a work of some celebrity and great utility.  Fronting these were the fruit and gingerbread stands.  On the opposite side of the road stood the cheese fair, attended by dealers from all parts, and where many tons’ weight changed hands in a few days, some for the London market, by the factors from thence; and such cheeses as were brought from Gloucester, Cheshire, and Wiltshire, and not made elsewhere, were