Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-04-15
THE AUCTIONEFR.


exchanges. 1t is closing description of
one of the most important and valuable
kinds of business in this community.
We commend the article to our auctioneer
friends. If any of them think the picture
is overdrawn, we should be happy to have
them employ their pens in scattering light
over it, through the columns of the Star:
81 shall now add few words on the
philosophy of auctions. In the exhibitions
of the trade, the spectators may derive
much instruction and amusement. The
person, who can, night after night, draw
motley crowds, every one Of whom Knows
that bis object is crusade against their
pockets, can be no ordinary artist. No adj
vertisement or catalogue heralds the APP
proach of these sales.
''When other shops shut, the auction shop
opens, and the red flag is run up ut the
door, and the crier takes his station under
meath, and forthwith the traffic begins
People who go to lounge, remain to buy,
system will melt if they come within its in
fuence, just as certainly as Franklin turned
out the contents Of his purse at the charity
sermon of Whitefeld. Mere buttoning OF
the pockets will not do when one goes to
sale; he must denude himself Of bullion
altogether, if he means to keep out Of temp
tation-and even this extreme precaution
will be useless, if he happens to be known
to the officiating functioHary. Nay, we have
even heard of instances where purchaser
giving his card, and having an honest phys
iognomy, at once obtained unbounded credit,
and paid dearly for the compliment implied
in this liberaliLy. On the whole, then, the
safest course, and we speak from long ex-
perience, is to 60 armed with a few shillings
and a determination rigid as flint, not to
exceed in expenditure the amount thus
carried about the person.
'.Auctioneers behold many illustrations
Of humanity in its sinful and suffering
phases. They preside at the breaking up
of uaany happy hours. They are privy to
the despair of the bankrupt, and the tears
Of the emigrant-and they preside oyerthe
final scattering of the chattels Of those who
have outlived friends and relatives, and
have YEARLY spent the last grains of the
sand of life amidst the cold looks of new
and unknown generation.
GO Talk of friendship said salesman
to US, why, have known old fellows who
have entertained their friends by the score,
and when they died, and their effects came
to be sold, h. W coolly would these old and
tried guests look on! The bamboo cane of
their friend, if it went above couple of
shilliugs, would pass into the hands of
stranger; his watch would be bought by
pawn broker; and the curious old RUNNERS
that they SO often drank out of, would be
allowed to be carried off by some old furni-
ture dealer
Gas affecting economical science, much
might be said on the subject of auctions
No one dreams Of hanging on at such exhi-
billions, except with the view Of obtaining
at a cheap rate something that may prove
useful or ornamental
professional attcndants-by which we
mean those who purchase to sell again-will
rarely make mistakes; but amateurs, who
constitute the bulk of the auctioneer's audi
ence, must and do make bluuders.
'Let any one possessing furniture two or
three years old, make the experiment of
selling off, and although the gross returns
may not equal the original cost, he will be
surprised to find that certain articles, such
as carpets, dining tables, SC. bring higher
prices after being used by him, than he
paid for them when new. These are the
Inconsistencies of frail humanity-in the
race for cheapness, people become excited
and forget what they are doing. Another
shilling, crown, or pound, is nothing in the
reasoning of such persons; according to
them, the rope should 60 with the bucket,
but in their hurry they forget that the last