THE CITY OF MELBOURNE. 



441 



and fruit-trees and odoriferous shrubs, cultivated on the mountain slopes, bring the 

 freshness and sweetness of the country into the somewhat close and frowsy atmosphere 

 of the dusty sale-room ; and many a cottage-garden and suburban verandah is pleasantly 

 brightened by pot-plants, baskets of ferns, trailers and creepers, which have been 



A NIGHT ALARM. 



procured at such times and in these places. In the early days of Melbourne the auction 

 rooms discharged some important functions as commercial channels and distributing 

 agencies, and they have continued to do so ever since, more especially when trade is 

 dull in Europe and the United States ; and when some relief must be sought in distant 

 markets, even if a sacrifice has to ,be made, for over-production at home. Hence the 

 astonishing variety of products which are brought under the hammer at Collins Street 



