2S6 [Assembly 



assemblies called nundinae, &c., because they returned every nine 

 days. 



The country people, after working eight days, came to town on the 

 ninth day, to sell their commodities and to inform themselves of what 

 related to religion and the government. 



Thus the nundinal day being under A., on the 1st, 9th, 17th and 

 25th of January, &c., the letter D. will be the nundinal letter the 

 following year. 



Fairs and markets, as existing in Europe, are institutions appro- 

 priated to the exhibition or sale of one or more species of goods, 

 hiring servants or laborers, &c.; but fairs are commonly attended by 

 a greater concourse of people, for whose amusement various exhibi- 

 tions are got up. 



To give them a greater degree of solemnity, they were originally, 

 both in the ancient and modern world, associated with religious fes- 

 tivals. In most places they were held on the same day with the wake 

 or feast of the Saint to whom the church was dedicated, (Jacob's 

 Law Die. ; Art. Fair,) so that matters of business and devotion were 

 transacted all at the same time and place. 



It was always customary to hold most fairs and markets on Sun- 

 days, which custom, though prohibited by several kings, (particular- 

 ly by Edward I.,) was yet held up till the reign of Henry VI., when 

 it was effectually suppressed. In many places they are stiU kept in 

 the church yard. 



In the old monastic times, those religious votaries, the monks of 

 (Maxtoke, in) Warwickshire, attended Sturbitch fair, near Cam- 

 bridge, to lay in their yearly necessaries and supplies, although 100 

 miles distant. 



The antiquity of fairs appears to have extended to far distant ages, 

 and wherever they have existed, whether ancient or modern, they ap- 

 pear to have evinced a corresponding degree of industry, happiness 

 and success. 



The foundation of the ancient city of Tyre, according to Josephus, 

 was laid about 1255 years prior to the Christian era. In the reign 

 of King Hiram, who flourished about the time of David and Solo- 

 mon, this splendid city was probably at the full height of her re- 

 nown. 



