26 



when they are offering a price for a small quantify, 

 will be superseded by a *' Bomaree/' proposing a 

 larger purchase. The market is under the su- 

 perintendance of the city of London, whose officers 

 attend it, and hold situations there of expensive 

 purchase and considerable gain, derived from fees 

 greatly augmented by the attendance of the irregu- 

 lar dealers above noticed. These persons are per- 

 haps very successful in concealing the nature of 

 their pursuits, for it is certainly understood to be 

 the duty of the officers to prevent these practices ; 

 and some years since a regulation was enforced 

 that they should not commence their sales before 

 ten o'clock, which is after the fishmongers have 

 generally completed their purchases. 



The first object to which at this point the Com- 

 mittee directed their attention, was that of in- 

 creasing the size of the present market, or of 

 removing it to some contiguous spot of suitable 

 dimensions. The fire at the late Custom-house 

 seemed to afford a place in every respect fit for 

 the purpose. It is understood to be held by the 

 Crown at a fee farm rent. The measure has been 

 laid before his Majesty's Government, has been 

 received with the accustomed attention, and is 

 now under their consideration. The profits ac- 

 tually derived by the corporation of London 

 amount, it is believed, to the sum of but from 

 60 to 10 per annum. The multiplication of 

 shops and standings for the sale of lish, within 



