64 THE REV. Rh. F. WHEELER, M.A. 
some fine May morning through the streets as far east as Lon- 
don Bridge; let him turn down to Billinsgate, and if he will 
be content to remain in that locality from the opening of the 
market, about five a.m., till between eight and nine o’clock, he 
will witness a scene which for busy activity and rapid trade I 
believe can scarcely be equalled anywhere. As a naturalist too, 
he will see a display to interest him which he would never 
find elsewhere. At the opening of the market, which is a very 
leisurely process now, and later than it used to be in bygone 
days, the spectator will see but a few empty stalls and half sleep- 
ing men putting up the tables, drawing up baskets and packages 
of fish, arranging them by the stalls of the respective salesmen 
to whom they have been consigned; while others are far more 
quickly and actively engaged in supplying peripatetic breaktasts 
to those whose calling is in the market at that carly hour. Ere 
long business begins. Agents of the chief fishmongers at 
the west end are amongst the earliest visitors. It is their busi- 
ness to secure for their employers the very best fish which the 
market can supply; and there as elsewhere the old adage still 
holds true, ‘The early bird picks the first worm.” But in the 
meantime an assemblage of curious looking barrows, or rather 
large wooden trays mounted on wheels, has gradually gathered 
in Thames Street. Every spot not occupied by the huge rail- 
way vans, which have already began to assemble from the various 
railway stations, freighted with loads of fish from every part of 
the coast, is occupied by these peculiar barrows. Thames Street 
is full of them from above London Bridge to below the Custom 
House. Each narrow lane we go up would be rendered impas- 
sable by them but for the good humoured exertions of the police, 
who rather enjoy the chaff and banter of the owners of the 
vehicles, and from time to time join in the laugh from some 
outburst of that peculiar wit which is never wanting in a Lon- 
don crowd. As soon as the chief fishmongers are supplied then 
begins the market for these men; and it is easily seen who are 
the largest buyers of that large mass of fish which is daily poured 
into London. 
Some slight idea of the enormous importance of the fish trade 
