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cousins visited #rankfort , for besides the brightness nirth their presence brought into our home ,entertainments euvyeniin their chonoureplenke and dances , and displays Which the crackers which fizzed off between me no small alarm . An event which I welcomed almost as much was the Fair Which was and which still is held twice at Prankfort at East and in the autumn. For many) while Germany was a conreries of small independent states div- ided from each other by separate laws,customs qduti tariffs assable roads, the great Fairs, those of Frankfort and r especially, were the chief trade marts of the commer- world ,at which foreign as well as native merchants trans- and where showmen came from all , arawing crowds to the wonders exhibited» Lhe elephant seen in Frankfort was at Fair of 1773. The Fairs fPered much from the introduction of railways , and though they are still held their commercial importance has now altogether waned. In my childhood they were + still of considerable moment, and many a household availed of fresh stock of linen and cloth and to replen- > While an untold varwety of articles which. can purchased on the spot or imported was only to be obtain- ese occasions. the open speces, of theocity rand the: one range sof the quays were covered with booths ; many of which contained sweetmeats, gingerbread cakes of the quaintest designs ,toys wares of all kinds , while others displayed excelley articles for domestic use. There seemed tc