variety of wares, which were the adjudged prizes in a lottery; but, from
the decisions which I witnessed, they resembled the _stationary_
capitals in an English scheme--the nominal Stock in trade of the
office-keepers. Many of these little gambling shops were superintended
by women, who proved themselves far from deficient in loquacious
inducements for adventurers; and by their dexterous settlement of the
chances, left little time for losers to reflect on their folly.
Provisions of various descriptions were to be purchased at every turn,
and among their _marchands_, it was not incurious, to see some humble
professors of gastronomy over smoking viands, fritters, and goffers or
indented wafers baked on cast-iron stoves _à la minute_--it must be
owned, unseasonable luxuries for a September day. The _spectacles_, or
shows, in noise and absurdity, exceeded the English trumpery of that
order; and to judge from the gaping crowds which they attracted, we are
not the only credulous nation in the world. Among the games was a
machine resembling an English round-a-bout, with wooden horses for the
players, each of whom was furnished with a foil, with which he strove to
seize the greatest number of rings from the centre; this was, indeed, a
chivalrous exhibition. Stilt-walkers, mountebank families, and jugglers,
"chequered in bulk and brains," lent their aid to amuse the crowd; and,
occasionally, two or three fellows contrived to enact scenes from plays,
and with their vulgar wit to merit the applause of their audience.
Portable clock-work exhibitions swarmed, and mummeries or mysteries,
representing the Life and Death of our Saviour and the blessed Virgin,
appeared to be ritual accompaniments of the day, and represented each
stage of the holy lives. The bearers of the latter machinery enlivened
their exhibitions with a grinding organ, which they accompanied with
appropriate ditties or carols. Crosses and other religious emblems were
hung about the theatrical boxes or shows, which, with their
representations, could only be compared with the nursery toys of Noah's