The Merry Past 



instruments charmed or outraged visitors' ears, in addi- 

 tion to which the occasional choruses of Mr. Polito's 

 wild beasts effectually banished all idea o£ monotony. 



Favourites such as Mr. Richardson, Mr. Gyngell, 

 Mr. Moritz, and other Thespians were conspicuous 

 for the gaudy brilliancy of their theatres, which held 

 forth the most flattering promises of the astonishing 

 and astounding excellencies of their respective per- 

 formances. A number of the minor order of ex- 

 hibitors added to the fun of the fair. In one booth 

 was shown the miraculous and " flambuginous " sea- 

 monster, known by the name of the Non-Descript. 

 Next to it stood the Musical Rat, which played most 

 divinely on the mouth-organ. Mr. Hobson and his 

 comical family offered other attractions, for, in 

 addition to the ordinary performance of jumping 

 down their own throats, they professed themselves 

 ready to eat a living cat and her kittens for. the ac- 

 commodation of the nobility and gentry. The pig- 

 faced lady, the human skeleton, and many other 

 freaks, including Miss Biffin (who wrote a beautiful 

 hand with her mouth), were familiar features of this 

 fair. 



A crowd of bashful maidens were usually posted on 

 the brow of Greenwich Hill, who, in the course of the 

 speedy descent, which was one of the customary 

 amusements, not infrequently exposed, with good- 

 natured generosity, beauties which are easier to be 

 imagined than described. Many who were mere 

 spectators were unwillingly dragged into the vortex, 

 and shared in the universal sport ; at times receiving 



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