Quote
The center of the Main-street is occupied by booths, in consequence of the great fair which began yesterday, and is to continue for a fortnight, to the infinite annoyance of the orderly and quiet part of the inhabitants, and the material injury of the rest, the greater part of whom, on Tuesday night, commenced a career of intoxication that will, probably, not be discontinued but with its means.
— The Observer, Sunday 15 July 1798
For another quote from the same letter, see Jul 1797: A Vast Dock
This describes the Free Mart Fair, which was definitely suffering by this point (one of the Portsmouth Papers is titled Portsmouth Free Mart Fair: The Last Phase, 1800-47). Personally, I think we should resurrect it. The “orderly and quiet part of the inhabitants” (in 18th Century Portsmouth? 👀) can sleep when they’re dead.
And we know no good reason
Why the Hand in due season
Should ever be forgot
