No. 151.] 287 



Her avails, buildings, towers and temples, her wise men, her pilots 

 and mariners, her army and men of war, together with her manifold 

 resources, formed a striking characteristic among the splendors of the 

 East. Tyre was great, powerful and luxurious, and " her builders 

 had perlected her beauty." 



" Syria was her merchant, by reasons of the n^.ultitude of the wares 

 of her making; they occupied in her fairs with emeralds, purple and 

 broidered work, and fine linen and coral and agate." 



" Tarshish was her merchant, by reason of the multitude of all 

 kinds of richesj with silver, iron, tin and lead they traded in her 

 fairs." 



Chitty, on commercial law, says, since the growth of towns and 

 monthly markets for the sale of produce, the utility and splendor of 

 European fairs have greatly diminished. 



Chaucor appears to have entertained a lofty opinion of the influence 

 of fairs upon English society. 



" It were good (says he) that the privilege of a market were given 

 to enable them to their defence, for there is nothing doth sooner 

 cause civility than many market towns; by reason of the people re- 

 pairing often thither, they will learn civil manners." 



And if the immortal Shakspeare i'^ to be received as authority, 

 they were not only requisite, but absolutely indispensable in special 

 cases. Perhaps in offering good advice he says: 



•' Mistress, know yourself — down on your knees, 

 And thank Heav'n fasting, for a fjood man's love, 

 For I must tell you, friendly in your ear, 

 Sell when you can — ^you are not for all markets." 



We must, however, make allowances for the age when spinsters 

 ■were numerous, and venerable matrons held a controlling sway. 



It was incident to a fair that persons should be free from arrest 

 for debt, except for that contracted in, or promised to be paid, there. 

 It was customary to hold fairs twice during the year; proclamation 

 was usually made as to how long they should continue, and any per- 

 son found guilty of selling any goods after it was ended, was subject 

 to the forfeiture of double their value — one-fourth to the person pro- 



