XXXVlll INTRODUCTION. 



The Princess Royal was wrecked in a violent storm in 

 October, 1885, in James' Bay, near Moose Factory, and 

 the cargo, valued at £34,000, was lost. The captain and 

 crew were for some time in a perilous position, hut 

 fortunately succeeded in getting ashore and making 

 their way to Moose Factory. The barque. Cam Owens, 

 was wrecked on the outward voyage in 1886. 



The fur sales of this Company take place at the 

 commencement of the year ; the Beaver, Musquash, 

 and American Piabbit in January, and all other furs in 

 March. Up to 1878 the North-West goods were sold in 

 September ; in 1880-82 they were sold in July ; since 

 that date they have been included in the March sales. 



The annual fur sales amount to about £300,000. 



There is also a sale of Castorum, Deer-skins, Eider- 

 down, Quills, etc., in December, and a sale of salmon in 

 the same month. 



The Buffalo robes of the Company were sold in 

 Montreal. 



The former premises of the Company were in Fen- 

 church Street, where the sales were held. For many 

 years subsequently they were held at the London Com- 

 mercial Sale Booms, in Mincing Lane. This year (1891) 

 they have been held at College Hill. The skins are now 

 shown in the well-arranged warehouse of the Company 

 in Lime Street, and are attended by buyers from all 

 parts of Europe and America. The skins are sorted 

 into colours and qualities, and are sold by the broker, 

 Mr. E. Harris ; but, following an old-fashioned custom, 

 the lots were, till this year, knocked down by the 

 Governor, Secretary, or one of the committee of the 

 Company. In former times, the lots were sold by the 

 light of the candle ; that is, no further bids were allowed 

 after a certain portion of the candle was burnt. 



