Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-24 00:00:00

THE MARKETS

generally this year, and we are bound to say that for many
years past we have not observed a more ample show of
every variety of butcher's :meat, with the other articles
stated, than we have in this year of 1537. The quality,
too, is indeed superior to what was shown for the last few
years, and as the world is progressing, it seems that no
.
small amount of attention has been turned to the produc-
tion of the finest animals destined for the sustenance of
man. To those who are not initiated Into the mysteries
of the farm yard—who are ignorant of " green feeding,"
or any other feedine—of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and
the like, it may seem strange how such rare and choice
specimens of these animals are turned out for market.
Well, the animals aro there, and that's enough for the
superficial observer, who only wants to know " What's
the price of that piece of beef ?" or " [row much a pound
do you charge for that mutton?" " What beautiful pork!"
exclaims our friend, as he surveys a pretty handsome
piece of that prize swine; -" Did you ever see such a big
goose as that ?" asks Mrs. Jones of her neighbour Mrs.
Edwards—" I say Sam, " says William Gambleton Gour-
mand Esq. to his friend, Samuel Sir S.vallow, baronet,
" Eh, isn't that a first-class haunch of venison ?" " yes, "
responded the baronet, " and these pheasants—and these
partridges, and grouse, and—" here he gave a groan
as he asked his friend to take pot-luck with him
on—but here he was cut very short by his friend asking
him what "luck" would be in the pot before he accepted
his polite invitation. Tho query was answered, not by
the gentleman, but by a lady who keeps a stall in the
emporium, who went on her way chanting involuntarily
Three Items more, fidelize
Were c :bbago eggi, and bacon,
That would sot tho eery p rtals
Of a vacant stoma:h akin,/ !
There is a considerable difference of opinion about the
period of the year when the world was pet into its pre-
sent phvsical shape ; but without going into a learned
disquisition on the subject, which might lead us into
spirit graphying, or "spirit rapping" (which is much ihe
better of the two), or great " square circle sailing"—in-
eeed we might be drawn into the " butter-place," and a
better place we need not go into, for our good natured
poetical friend—" the immortal Kelly, the real butter
man"—coull enlighten us on the subject, and no doubt he
would agree with the opinion. that the creation took
place about Christmas, when the luxuries of all creation
reaches the zenith of all sublunary perfection, for the
sustenance of the noblest of all animated creation—MAN.
In all the markets through town, the supply of fresh and
other meats is abundant, and the quality excellent ; this
is observable even in markets where the humbler classes
arc in the habit of dealing, so that no matter what the
cost of the article may be, the quality is decidedly not to
be despised. Besides the more substantial decoration of
the stalls in the several markets with beef, mutton, pork,
veal, fowl, &c , there is another time-honoured observance
that must not be forgotten, and that is

DRESSING THE MARKETS,
which means clothing th, m with the livery of our good
old Master Christmas, which consists of holly, and mis-
tletoe. and many other old verdant shrubs, not forgetting
that Rare old plant, the Ivy green,
That croepeth o'er ruins old.
In going through the markets,
ST. JOHN'S ➢iARKET,

being the king of all, claims the first notice. For many
years past, we have not observed more ample decorating
than adorns this great emporium at the present time,
and much taste is shown in the details and the
designs in evergreens, &e. The usual quantity of
flags, banners, and the like are also lump eels --a
in the respect of " dressing" the market is most
attractive. There are- also a variety of illuminations,
in gas Jets, with mottos, devices, initial letters, & In
tho more substantial way, the show of Meat, in extent
and quality, has not been equalled for several years ; this
is the opinion of the best judges. The Londoners may
talk of their Covent Garden, Leadenhall, and Hungerford
Markets, but we can challenge all the metropolitan
markets to produce such an extent and variety of fine
meat, as can be seen its St. John's Market this day ; it is
nearly marvellous to contemplate where it was all
produced,. and, mere marvellous still, to think how an d
when it will be cosumed; but man must have meat at least
once upon a day. In another department of the market,
that of the Preserved Provisions, there is an extensive
show, particularly in hams, which appear to be the
finest we have looked on. In the Poultry compartments
nothing was eveaseen in the market to equal the exhibi-
Cora One is quite bewildered when gazing on the truly
eacrmous quantity of poultry in the market ; scarcely
could half a nation produce the number of fowl, which,
in the aggregate, must be many hundred thousands, and of
the most tempting quality that can be imagined. It would
appear to us :that the whole inhabitants of the town
would fail to consume the supply in a lengthens) period ;
yet no doubt the quantity will diminish vastly before the
end of the weds. There is also an extraordinary large
supply of Game of all sorts, fro n the kingly pheasant to
the fat little rabbit. We have, on the whole, no hesita-
Von in saying that the Stock of the entire market is
more varies and extensive, and of a quality superior to
any exhibited for many years. Tais i 3 gratifying amid
the depression that prevails, bat we trust the worst
Is past, and that all will be enabled to spend the
festive season with satisfaction and comfort. When
there is such a mighty quantity of meat to be seen, an-I
when such excellence is observable in all, it is difficult to
select the stall most attractive. However, the general
impression fixes on that of Mr. Thomas Lowthian, which
for the manner of its management, the extent of animals,
and the quality and finish of the meat, seems to say this
is the " premier' shop in the market. The fine oxen and
sheep are certainly laid out, not only in a way quite
novel, but very attractive, and during yesterday and last
-evening the usual crowd of sight-seers, and admirers of
fise finished cattl a collected in frost of the shop to
admire the exhibition of the good things held out for
competition. The stock of this establishment consists
of no less than 60 sheep of the largest: description
and from the feeding the class of mutton is of the finest
;milts,. Ten of these splendid animals were fed by
Mr. Lowthian, on his farm at Tuebrook, and elicited the
warmest approval of the best judges at the late market.
A. pinion of the other sheep were bred and fed in
Ireland, by Mr. Kilbee, of the county Wicklow, and Mr.
Cannons', of the county Meath, and a large portion of
Cheviot sheep. killed by Mr. Lowthian, were fed by the
Dike of S Ilherland, and fully support the fame attained
by the stock sent forth from his Grace's pastures. In
WS stall also, there is not less than the carcases of 10
enormous bullocks, all Galloways, of the purest breed,
and most excellent description. These are the produce
Of the farm of the, Duke of Baaclettch, and finer were
never turned off his celebrated feeding ground. One
of the celebrated "B irons of Beef," cut off the
finest of all the oxen, has been purchased by Mr
Morrish, for the Merchants' Dining Rooms, and will afford
egreat treat to the numerous customers of that famous
establishment during the holidays. Amongst the rarities
of Mr Lowthian's stall, may be mentioned the body of a
Chinese pig, reared by himself at Tuebrook; and if our
notions of beauty could at all be brought to consort with
the dead body of a swine, the carcase in question is the
handsomest thing of the sort ever looked at. Mr. Low-
thian appears not to be done, for, besides dead stock, he
has a living animal-3. very fine and lively Indian buffalo,
just arrived here from Delhi. The interest attached to
this creature is great. This stall is adorned with all sort
of heads of animals, and is handsomely illuminated with
stars, and his name in gas, and some pretty devices. He
has some floe large house lambs at the stall.
The next stall is that of Mr. Thomas Thomlinson's, who
has been long the pride :of the market. This is most '
profusely fleaOratagallfl brilliantly:Jar:with; gas—stars,