Thus by ill conduct was a merry frolick turned into a penance."
On another occasion my Lady Castlemaine went to Bartholomew fair
to see the puppets play "Patient Grissel;" and there was the
street "full of people expecting her coming out," who, when she
appeared, "suffered her with great respect to take the coach."
Not only the king's mistress, but likewise the whole court went
to St. Margaret's fair to see "an Italian wench daunce and
performe all the tricks on the high rope to admiration; and
monkies and apes do other feates of activity." "They," says a
quaint author, "were gallantly clad A LA MODE, went upright,
saluted the company, bowing and pulling off their hats, with as
good a grace as if instructed by a dancing master. They turned
heels over head with a basket having eggs in it, without breaking
any; also with lighted candles on their heads, without
extinguishing them; and with vessells of water without spilling a
drop."
The cruel sport of bull and bear baiting was also commonly
practised. Seated round an amphitheatre, the people witnessed
these unfortunate animals being torn to pieces by dogs, the
owners of which frequently jumped into the arena to urge them to
their sanguinary work, on the result of which great wagers
depended. Indignation arising against those who witnessed such
sights may be somewhat appeased by the knowledge that infuriated
bulls occasionally tossed the torn and bleeding carcases of their
tormentors into the faces and laps of spectators.
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