1-239-009 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

'Best Mode of Going to Bartholomew Fair', c1825. A man wearing a spiked barrel, marked 'By Your Leave'. Possibly a derogatory comment on the Irish, as he is wearing green, and carries a wooden club, marked 'persuader', similar to an Irish shellailie. He smokes a pipe, wears clogs and has a ruddy face under a hat covered with a scarf. He is going to the famous Bartholomew Fair, which had a reputation for rowdiness and wild behaviour, the barrel will therefore protect him from the crush as he clears his way with the club.