320 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



arrangements. The cost of the establishment is said to have 

 been 100,000, or half a million of dollars. It forms a hollow 

 square, and embraces a space of more than twenty acres, com 

 pletely enclosed by high brick walls, which form the backs of 

 deep sheds, slated, and open in front, furnished with mangers and 

 with water troughs supplied from two very large tanks in the 

 centre of the yard, which are kept constantly filled by machinery 

 from wells sunk in the neighborhood. The sheds are capable of 

 accommodating 4000 beasts ; and here they might remain from 

 day to day until sold, without inconvenience. In the centre of 

 this immense quadrangle are four extensive squares, all neatly 

 paved with flat stones, and divided into several compartments, 

 railed in with neat iron railings, and capable of accommodating 

 40,000 sheep. Other pens are constructed for calves, pigs, and 

 other animals usually brought to market ; and all are arranged in 

 the most simple and convenient method, with ample passages 

 furnishing easy access to every part of the enclosure. Besides 

 these, there are convenient and ample offices for all the various 

 clerks, salesmen, bankers, &c., connected with the business ; and 

 it was designed to erect commodious hotels for the acommoda- 

 tion of persons attending the market, and extensive slaughter 

 houses for the killing of the cattle, directly in the neighborhood. 

 The whole space is entered under a handsome archway ; and for 

 its particular purposes, it would be difficult to conceive of any 

 thing more commodious or better arranged. 



In spite of all these obvious advantages, the market could not 

 be removed from Smithfield. The persons in the neighborhood 

 of the old market whose business and profits were intimately 

 connected with it, opposed its removal. There was fear of a 

 rival market being got up on the other side of the city. The 

 city would lose the tolls, which are now received at Smithfield, 

 and which, in the course of the year, make up no inconsiderable 

 revenue. The meat, if the animals were slaughtered out of the 

 town, would, of necessity, have to be conveyed to the city in 

 carts, whereas, now, much of it is killed directly in the neigh 

 borhood of the market. These and many other reasons were 

 urged, but, perhaps, would not have availed, excepting for the 

 fact that Smithfield was discovered to be a chartered market, for 

 the sale of cattle ; and the twelve judges of the high courts 

 decided, upon consultation, that this charter could not be 



