No. 151.] 285 



Fair is also derived from a French word,ybtVc, which signifies the 

 same thing. By some the wordybiVe is taken from the haXin forurriy 

 meaning: a market; by others it is derived from the Latin, ym^e, be- 

 cause fairs were anciently held in places where iheferice were held 

 — such is at least the significancy of the Lexicon. 



We, however, find that in Roman antiquity ferice were certain 

 holydays on which proclamation was made by a herald or officer at 

 arms whose business it was to proclaim peace or war. At the com- 

 mand of the Rex sacrorum or flamines, all persons were expected 

 to abstain from business, and whosoever was found violating the 

 command was severely fined. The f erics were both public and pri- 

 vate. They were observed in private by particular persons or fami- 

 lies on account of birth days, funerals, &c. The public celebra- 

 tions were of various descriptions; of these the ferm latine were 

 feasts at which a white bull was sacrificed, and the Latin and Ro- 

 man towns provided each a set quantity of meat, wine and fruits, 

 and during its continuance the Romans and Latins swore eternal 

 friendship and allegiance to each other, and on separating they 

 were in the practice of carrying home a piece of the victim to every 

 town. 



This festival was instituted by Tarquinius 2d, when he overcame 

 the Tuscans and made a league with the Latins proposing to build 

 a common temple to Jupiter Latialis, at which both nations might 

 meet and offer sacrifice for their common safety. 



At first this peculiar solemnity lasted but one day, but it was at 

 different times extended to ten. It was held on the Alban mount, 

 and celebrated with chariot races at the capitol, where the victor was 

 honored with a copious draught of wormwood drink — the qualities 

 and palatable nature of which, at this remote period of time, we 

 must leave others to analyze. 



The ancient nundince or fairs of Rome, were kept every ninth day; 

 afterwards the same privilege was granted to the country markets, 

 which were previously under the power of the consuls. {Arbuthnot on 

 Coins.) 



Nundinse is the name which the Romans gave to a series of letters 

 from A. to H., which they used in their calendar. These letters were 

 placed and repeated successively, from the first to the last day of the 

 year, and one of the letters always expressed the market days or the 



