The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-12-27 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS TIMES,-THE MARKETS

" The good old town " of Liverpool (as it is called) still
maintains its high character for the preservation, in defiance
of " modern instances" of the " good old fashion" of keeping
up Christmas times in all that appertains to the aubstantialB
that, after all, form one of the prime enjoyments of life, and
in their liberal dispensation, being with them delightful re-
miniscences of old English feeling, hospitality, and kindness.
We know not whether to attribute, in the greatest degree,
the almost superabundance of the supply of the good things
of this world in our several markets on Saturday last to the
general excellent harvest of the outgoing year, or to the
provision tariff of Sir R. Peel. Much may be said in favour
of both sides of the question ; and we incline to believe that
Sir " Bobby's " relaxation of the impost duties, notwith-
standing the abundance of our crops, and the facilities for
breeding and fattening " all animals that men digest", been
mainly conducive to this happy effect. Be that as it may,
certain it is that our markets have not, within our recollec-
tion, been so abundantly and cheaply supplied ; and we must
do justice to the several tenants by stating that we never be-
fore observed the several stalls to be so beautifully and taste-
fully decorated. St. John's Market, which is 185 yards
long by 45 yards in width, presented one of those sights
which few persons who are strangers can ever witness " as
Christmas comes but oncela year," and which presented
many novelties even to our townsmen, and—we must be as
polite as possible at such a season—our fair townswomen.
Even to attempt a description in detail would weary our
readers and perplex ourseives. Suffice it to say, that the
whole of this large area, lighted by innumerable gas lamps,
was beautifully decorated in almost every stall from end to
end, and in every avenue, with devices in evergreens, flowers,
&c., rendering it a complete palace of Flora. The fruit-
stands in particular, displaying mountains of home and foreign
productions of the garden and the vinery, were beautifully
adorned in devices, from the sombre evergreen to the delicate
white rose; while the butchers' stalls, also ornamented with
Christmas bushes, presented a display of rosy beef which was
more than enough to make an alderman's mouth water.
There was not only a fair, but an admirable display of fowl,
in game, turkeys, and " birds of lower degree." Rabbits
were also abundant, though scarcer. _ _

Amongst the prime beef was that of Mr. Tomlinson, at the
top of the market, both buffalo and native ox and heifer.
The buffalo was greatly admired, and was speedily sold off.
This highly-respected tradesman had also other fine speci-
mens of beef ; also, a prime lamb, which was sold at 255. a
quarter. He also showed an opossum, sent by Mr. Radley,
of the Adelphi, who afterwards bad it baked for the gratifi-
cation of his friends. Mr. Hinton had some beautiful Here-
ford ox and heifer beef, the former quite equal, if not supe-
rior, to any in the market ; also some prime Southdown
sheep. His finest bullock was bred and fed by Mr. Myers,
and was own brother to that which recently took the prize at
Smithfield market, in London. Messrs. Clough, Dentith,
Tate, Chaddock, Derby, Dodd, and others, had also prime
stuff. Mr. Tomlinson's prime bullock was from the Duke
of Buccleugh's. It weighed 18 stone 5 lb. a quarter. Ano-
ther from the same place weighed 16 stone 15 lb. a quarter.
These were fed at Drumlanrigg Castle, Dumfriesshire.
The price of the primest cuts of beef was only 'id. per lb.,
and of even capital 61d. The prices of game were about—
Pheasants, 6s. a brace ; Hares, 3s. to 3s. 6d. each; Par-
tridges, 3s. to. 3s. 3d. a brace ; Geese (according to size and
quality), from ls. 10d. to 4s. and ss.
Great praise is due to Mr. Graham, the superintendent of
the market, for his exertions in his department on the pre-
sent occasion, Christmas eve having happened this year on
a Saturday, which rendered it more difficult to preserve order
and regularity. Though yesterday was a general holiday,
the market was open during the forenoon for the accommo-
dation of those who could not supply themselves for Christ.
mas week on Saturday, and it still presented a beautiful and
full appearance, much of the decorations being still preserved
or renewed, including abundance of evergreens, and no small
quantity even of the much-sought-for and almost sacred
" misteltoe bough."

ST. JAMES'S MARKET.—Though the decorative depart-
ment of this market did not, in point of ornamental beauty,
equal that of its contemporary St. John's, it was well supplied
with the choicest productions of the land. The beef in par-
ticular, (on which, doubtless, the sensitive lips of many an
epicure has since smacked,) was on the whole the finest dis-
play we ever remember to have seen within its walls. One
carcas displayed at the stall of Mr. B. Crowther exceeded
6 cwt., and had been a splendidly-fed animal. It was bred
on the estate of Earl Fitzwilliam, and it may be worthy of
remark was, after being killed, saved from the fire in Parlia-
ment-street, where it was in danger of being roasted from
the intense heat. The stalls and shops of Mr. Meesom, Mr.
Ellison, Mr. Sillitoe, and others, all exhibited meat of the
finest description, severally bred by the Duke of Hamilton,
Earl Spencer, and Lord Stanley. The market had an ex-
ceedingly neat and clean appearance, which was greatly en-
hanced by the effect of the uniform gas introduced to each
stand a short time since by the active superintendent, Mr.
Luya. This gentleman, by his excellent management of St.
James's and Cleveland-square Markets (both under his care),
and the civility, attention, and good feeling which he has
introduced amongst the tenants, has gained himself the good
wishes and respect of all who frequent them.