117
l'u tho absence of fiscal or municipal chargos upon tho conveyance of articles of food into theMetropolis, it is difficult to obtain any data of tho quantities consumed in London . The recordsof Billingsgate, Newgate, Leadenliall, and tho green markets, show neither tho quantities sold,nor the prices, tho tolls not being charged according to quantity. Tho records of SmithfioldMarket, howoyor, show accurately the quantities of cattlo sold there, and the prevailing prices.Somo comparisons of quantities convoyed into London by railway and water carriage havealso boon procured, and returns are annexed showing the fullest information that can boobtained within a limited time, of tho consumption of articles of food in tho Metropolis.
An Account of the Number of Beasts, Sheep, and Calves, Sold in Smitiifield during tho
six mouths ended tho 30th of September—
1S50 1851
Beasts .... 11^254 121V723
Sheep .... 954,550 900,300
Calves .... 20,144 22,503
An Account of tho Quantities of Fruit, Vegetables, Eggs, and Fish, convoyed to London by two Railways, during tho six months ended tho 30th September—
1850 1851
Fruit, Vegetables, &c. . 4,024 0,222 tons.
Eggs. 1,747 3,128 ,,
Tho following Return has been prepared from documents in the Custom House ; but asI have reason to believe that tho quantities of fish which are conveyed by railway and water-carriage lluotuato very considerably, tho Return cannot bo relied upon as showing a precisecomparison of tho consumption of fish : it is, however, the only comparative statement thatcould be procured :—
count of the Quantities of Sea-borne Fish brought to London during tlio sixmonths ended the 30tli September—
1850 1851
Cod . .
. . . 180,099
175,477 Number.
Skato.
... 444
1,011
Mackerel.
. . . 405,200. . . 478,730
20,800 , ,
Whiting .
007,240 , ,
Turbot .... 935
Tliornbacks, Hallibut l ,Ground Fish, Sturgeon } ’ 5
1,304
1,509 ,
Salmon .
. . . 2,050
2,920 Boxes.
Plaice.
. . . 77,214
49,418 Bushols.
Solos .
. . . 113,030
92,330 ,,
Herrings .
. . . 31,031
04,158 Barrels.
Smelts
. . . 2,313
2,(500 Bushels.
1 huldock
. . . 491
332 Barrels.
Eels . .
. . . 343
340 Tons.
Lobstors .
. . . 103,100
204,500 Number.
Oysters .
. . . 00,000
73,002 Bushols.
Crabs. .
. . . 2,035
2,132 , ,
. . . 403
404 , ,
AVilks, Cockles, Mussels 8,717
8,704 ,,
The number of public-housos is determined by tho Justices in Petty Sessional Divisions, andis founded upon a representation of tho wants of the neighbourhood. Tho number of public-housos within tho area of the Metropolis, as dofinod in the Census Tables, was on tho
1st of July 1850 . . . 5,2001st of July 1851 . . . 5,231
But this incroaso was not granted to supply the anticipated requirements of tho past summer,but from tho growth of now neighbourhoods, and from local causes.
Tho number of licensed victuallers and of public-houses within the Bills of Mortality, was ontho 1st March 1851, 4,340, and of beer-shops, 2,139. Compared with tho population (as nearlyas can be ascertained), tho proportion of such houses was as follows :—
Ono public-houso to 40 houses.One beer-shop „ 94 „
Ono public-house „ 370 persons.One beer-shop 750 „