n.
The country for miles around the city has been stripped of its choicest
luxuries, and even the distant West, and the far-off South have sent
their contributions to the bountiful store. Meats, fish, and fowl also
abound, of every species and description. Indeed, one who has the means
can purchase here almost everything the heart can desire. The demand is
great, and the prices are high. The stock seems immense, but it
disappears rapidly. Fruits command high prices in New York, but sell
readily. The market is very rarely overstocked. The same may be said of
vegetables. Good vegetables are always in demand. Those who furnish
pure, fresh vegetables and meats are sure of a prosperous trade, but the
amount of tainted wares of this kind disposed of daily is surprising.
Nothing is lost here. Everything finds a purchaser.

[Picture: WASHINGTON MARKET.]

Two-thirds of the people of the city, to save time and trouble, deal with
the "corner groceries," and "provision stores," and never see the
markets, but still the number of persons patronizing these establishments
is very large. The sales begin between four and five o'clock in the
morning. The first comers are the caterers for the hotels, the
restaurants, the fashionable boarding houses and the mansions of the
rich, and the proprietors of the aforesaid "corner groceries" and
"provision stores." These latter charge their own customers an advance
of from twenty-five to fifty per cent. on the market rates. Prices are
high at this hour, and the best the market affords is quickly disposed
of. The hotels and restaurants leave standing orders with the dealers,
but always send their caterers to see that these orders are faithfully
executed. "Market-men have to be watched," say the caterers.

As the morning advances, prices decline. The dealers have reaped their
harvest, and can afford to "fall" on what is left. Now come those whose
means compel them to be content with indifferent fare. With them is seen
a perfect torrent of boarding-house keepers, who are too smart to come
when the prices are high and the articles good and fresh. Others, too,
the dealers will tell you, are independently wealthy, some are said to be
millionaires. They are niggardly as to their tables, though they make
great show in other respects, and they will haggle over the last penny.
Last of all, towards ten o'clock, and later, come the poor, to purchase
what is left. G