Wombwell's menagerie is of course upon the ground, and the collection is announced as being the largest and best ever brought to Manchester, in consequence of its including many animals, etc, purchased at the Knowsley sales. There is also a smaller opposition menagerie; and each, we believe, boasts of a "lion queen".

There are two or three large-sized "Temples of the Drama;" including one glorying in the name of "Pickul's", and another described as "Edwards's London establishment - the largest in England."

Considering the choking dust which has hung like a pall over the fair ground during the two days, it would be rather too much to expect, perhaps, that the "dresses and appointments" of the "companies" should present a remarkably brilliant appearance; and we must say that they looked more than unusually tawdry and mean.

One hut boasts a variety of attractions, including a performing pony, who (if the painted canvas does not lie) has "been at court," or the court has been to it - a painting of the death of Abel - and a magic mirror.

At a "Temple of Magic," we noticed the "Wizard Queen" sternly engaged in collecting halfpence from the flocking wonder-seekers; the Lapland giantess has extended her migrations from the Exchange to Camp Field; and an establishment announcing "Kaffir war chiefs - Amaponda Woman - Zoolu Child," seemed to be "drawing" pretty freely.

There are two equestrian establishments , one "from the Free-Trade Hall," and another of less pretentious size and appearance. What the "American Alethorama" may be can only be known by those who have ventured within its precincts.

There is a tolerably large number of "peep shows" and smaller displays of a similar character; the toy-standings ("bazaars" we suppose they are called) are more numerous than usual; and there are many gingerbread and "refreshment" stalls, each with its camphene or naptha lamp, dripping and flashing over its centre, during the evening.

There is a large gathering of break-neck-looking swings - of "round abouts" there seems to be none; and altogether there is now upon Camp Field a very good specimen of the collection of monstrosities, absurdities, and nastiness usually found in what is called a "pleasure fair".

It may with equal truth be said that among the great majority of the frequenters of the place, there is to be seen a larger amount of brutality, roguery, and every other phase of human degradation, than could be found among an equal number of persons collected upon any other occasion, or under any other circumstances. And all this is in the neighbourhood of and surrounding a church, and the now handsome building containing the Manchester Free Library. The latter institution will be opened before next easter; and it seems to us that it will become a question for the Corporation (if the fair is to be continued) whether during the fair week the building should not be closed. The idea of any person trying to avail themselves of the "reference library," with all the hideous din of the multitude outside, is too extravagant to be entertained for a moment.

We cannot conceive a possible good resulting from this easter fair; and no person with ordinary perception can press through the heaving mass which congregates there, without seeing glaring evil on every side.

Owing to the remarkable fineness of the weather, we presume, there was an extraordinarily large number of country visitors at the fair on Monday afternoon and evening; and very heavy trains left the different railway stations during the evening, for the surrounding towns.

The Manchester Guardian: April 14th 1852 (5/2)