222 The Book of Cats. 



the trade is much worse now : there are so many 

 at it, they say, that there is barely a living for any." 



A carrier assured Mr. Mayhew he seldom went 

 less than thirty, and frequently forty miles, through 

 the streets every day. The best districts are among 

 the houses of tradesmen, mechanics, and labourers. 

 The coachmen in the mews at the back of the 

 squares are very good customers. 



" ' The work lays thicker there,' said one carrier. 

 ' Old maids are bad, though very plentiful custo- 

 mers : they cheapen the carriers down so that tliey 

 can scarcely live at the business : they will pay one 

 half-penny, and owe another, and forget that after 

 a day or two.' The Cats'-meat dealers generally 

 complain of their losses from bad debts : their custo- 

 mers require credit frequently to the extent of j^i. 



"'One party owes me 15^. now,' said a carrier, 

 * and many lOs. ; in fact, very few people pay ready 

 money for the meat.' 



" The best days for the Cats'-meat business are 

 Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays. A double 

 quantity of meat is sold on the Saturday ; and on 

 that day and Monday and Tuesday, the weekly 

 customers generally pay." 



"The supply of food for Cats and Dogs is far 

 greater than may be generally thought. 



