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CHAPTER XXIV.

THE BAZAARS AND ARCADES.

The Bazaar, notwithstanding it had in the beginning to encounter much of that prejudice and consequent opposition by which most inventions and discoveries are frequently attempted to be decried, has continued, from its firs introduction, to flourish with Increased and deserved reputation,

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Oxford Street: a noble building of the Grecian order of architecture; the entrance front of which formed part of the original Winter Ranelagh; erected by James Wyatt, Esq., in 1772, and which for many years was open as a theatre and public promenade. Miss Stephens, now Dowager Countess of Essex, here made her first appearance on any stage as Barbarina. In 1834, the present structure, the third building on this site, was adapted for a bazaar by Sydney

Smirke, A.R.A., at a cost of £40,000, and is the largest, finest pro portioned, and most imposing in its appearance, of any bazaar in London. The visitor to the metropolis may derive much pleasure from an inspection of the fancy articles tastefully displayed on endless ranges of well-disposed stalls. Over the entrance-hall is a suite af rooms devoted to the display for sale, of a collection of paintings, modern English artists, many of which are of great merit.

At the rear of the building is a conservatory and aviary, containing a choice collection of plants, birds, and gold and silver fish, well worth a visit. There is an entrance to this portion of the building in Great Marlborough Street.

SOHO BAZAAR

Soho Square. An establishment for the sale of light goods; formed in 1815, by the late Mr. Trotter, and much frequented. It consists of several rooms, hung with red cloth, and fitted up with mahogany counters, divided into stands, which are occupied by upwards of two hundred females. The nature of the mart, and the variety of goods exhibited, daily attract numerous visitors, and renders it quite a fashionable lounge.

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On the west side of Burlington House, Piccadilly; the property of C. C. Cavendish, Esq., M.P.; a covered street or avenue of shops, extending from Piccadilly to Cork Street, two hundred and ten yards

long, and having a triplicated entrance at either end. This nove building, erected in 1819, by Samuel Ware, Esq., an architect of some reputation in his day, is much frequented, and is rendered particularly attractive by its seclusion from the heat and inclemency of the weather, and by the attractiveness of the numerous fancy shops, of which there are seventy-two. At night when these are lighted up, the vista has a very pretty effect.

LOWTHER ARCADE,

West Strand. This pleasing bazaar-like avenue, which forms an acute angle with the Strand, leading to the back of St. Martin's Church, was built by Mr. Herbert, in 1831; it is two hundred and forty-five feet long, twenty feet broad, and thirty-five feet high; and consists of twenty-five small, but neat shops, and from its proximity to the Strand is much frequented. The shops in the interior are designed to have the appearance of one great whole, but as the goods are principally displayed in the front of the windows. the effect intended to be produced is altogether destroyed. The style of architecture is of the Grecian order, having the roof domed, with an ornament as a finish, to the top of the dome. This, the most noted toy-mart in London, is much frequented by visitors.

At the end, towards St. Martin's Church, is the Adelaide Gallery, now used as a Music Hall, for which it is admirably adapted, and in which that magnificent instrument, the Apollonicon, may be heard daily.

ROYAL BAZAAR,

New Oxford Street; erected in 1850, from designs by I. T. Merrick, Esq. It is an extensive range of buildings, somewhat in the Italian style, presenting a noble frontage of two hundred feet, having a row of eleven broad, lofty arches at the basement, and above every pier is a carved coat of arms of the United Kingdom; niches are also left for figures of some of the most distinguished of our monarchs. The shops are principally devoted to the sale of marqueterie, China and glass ware, and have a handsome appearance.

THE PANTECHNICON,

Motcomb Street, Belgrave Square. A vast and spiendid establishment, for the warehousing and sale of goods; consisting of two parts; the northern division being devoted to the purposes of a picture gallery, a furniture establishment, and for the reception of carriages. where may be seen ranged all the usual varieties, from the dress carriage to the light gig, each carriage having its selling price marked on a ticket attached to it. The southern division is used as a warehouse for storing furniture and other articles.

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Wellington Street, Strand; the property of the Marquis of Exeter a short, yet pleasing arcade, built in 1845, from designs by Mr. Sydney Smirke, A.R.A., and handsomely decorated by Mr. Sang. Although it cannot boast the reputation of the Old Exeter Change, it is still noticeable as containing the publishing office of the proprietor of this work, where also may be obtained Guides to all the Free Galleries of Art in and near London, editions of which may be had in English and French, at prices varying from one penny each.

BAKER STREET BAZAAR,

Baker Street. An extensive emporium for the sale of carriages, harness, furniture, and every description of furnishing ironmongery,

In a portion of these spacious premises, formerly used as a horse bazaar, is annually held the Smithfield Club Cattle Show the finest show of fat cattle, pigs, and sheep, in the world.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE MARKETS.

The principal Markets in the metropolis are for cattle, in Smithfield, Mondays and Fridays; Islington, Tuesdays and Thursdays: for fish at Billingsgate and Hungerford Markets: for meat, poultry, and game, Newgate and Leadenhall Markets: for vegetables and fruit, Covent Garden, Borough, Farringdon, and Portman Markets: for hides and leather, Bermondsey and Leadenhall Markets: and for hay and straw, Cumberland and Smithfield Markets. Horses may be purchased at Tattersall's, Grosvenor Place, and other repertories.

SMITHFIELD MARKET.

The principal market for live cattle in London, and the greatest cattle market in the world, is situated in the heart of the city, and covers an area of six acres and a quarter. Markets have been held here from time immemorial, it being mentioned by Fitzstephen seven hundred years ago, as "a place where horses and cattle are sold;" the markets are held by prescription, the most ancient of all tenures, and "so far as any record goes back, is without metes, or bounds, or days, or times."

The enlarged area, and increased population of London, requiring a supply of cattle that the confined space of Smithfield is totally inadequate to provide the necessary accommodation for, often gives rise to dreadful scenes of (but as the advocates for the continuance of the market in its present position, argue, necessary) cruelty. There is accommodation for the tying up of 2750 head of cattle, and standing room for 1250 others; 1509 pens for sheep, each of which will hold sixteen, or when shorn, as many as twenty, which at an average of sixteen sheep to a pen afford accommodation for 24,464, and fifty pens pigs.

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Markets for pigs, sheep, and cattle, are held here every Monday and Friday, closing at three o'clock, when those unsold must be taken away; but the Mondays markets are considerably the largest ; on Fridays, for horses, of an inferior character, and asses, commencing at three o'clock; and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur

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