FOURl'KK.NTH ANNUAL MKKI'INO. 8l 



The author of " London Labor and London Poor," 1853, says 

 that at that time Billingsgate was opened at 4 a. m., but for 

 two hours it was attended only by the regular fishmonger and 

 the bummaree. At the present time, however, not only is the 

 bummaree the first to arrive, but, as in 1823, he is the last to 

 leave. He now purchases from the salesman and sells to small 

 dealers, costermongers and consumers. Before making a sale, 

 the bummaree breaks the packages and assorts the fish, supply- 

 ing the buyers with the kinds, sizes and quality desired. A very 

 useful function, it might be remarked when we remember that 

 a " ped " often contains various kinds of fish, suitable and un- 

 suitable for the uses for whicb they are wanted by different 

 classes of purchasers. Bui however useful the bummaree 

 may be, that such an individual exists at all, only goes to prove 

 the inadequate accommodations of Billingsgate for the trade, 

 and whether there is foundation or not for such accusations as 

 are heard concerning him, the bummaree will exist so long as 

 the fish supply of populous London has to pass through this 

 limited, inaccessible market in a limited time. 



The market is opened at 5 o'clock in the morning and is prac- 

 tically over at 10 o'clock. Before the opening, however, the 

 auctioneers are in their places, behind what are called "bulks" 

 or " forms," upon which the fish are deposited in " trunks," 

 "doubles," etc. Little, if any, opportunity is given buyers to 

 ascertain the condition of the fish, for no sooner is the box de- 

 posited on the "bulks" than it is knocked down as sold, and 

 again borne away. If the buyer is not informed in some way 

 in regard to the condition of the fish, to purchase the unopened 

 boxes so rapidly, and with such apparent indiscriminate reck- 

 lessness, it would sccMii to an outside observer, to put it mildly, 

 great confidence in tlie condition of the fish, and in the honesty 

 of the salesman. 



During the whirl of business all seems confusi<;n and chaos. 

 Porters are seen rushing hither and thither with reeking bar- 

 rels, baskets and boxes. Auctioneers with long, narrow account 

 books in their hands, are bawling to buyers, who, with hands by 

 the side of their mouths, direct back their shouting answers, 

 while the uninitiated explorer stands bewildered in tiieir midst 



