o iron bedsteads, a grate with an oven, and convenient
fixtures; and they were found to answer financially.

The Queen's consent was given on 26 Aug. to an "Act to Encourage the
Establishment of Public Baths and Wash-houses" (9-10 Vic., c. 74). How
it was appreciated by the animals called "Vestrymen" may be seen by the
fact that at a Vestry meeting of the inhabitants of St. Leonard's,
Shoreditch, held 26 Oct., the subject was brought forward, when an
amendment was moved "that it be taken into consideration that day six
months." For the amendment, 28; against 20!

The dangers of Smithfield Market were becoming too apparent, as we see by
a letter in the _Times_ of 26 Nov.:

[Picture: The Bull Fight of Smithfield]

"Sir,--Your paper of this morning again gives an account of more
accidents arising in consequence of cattle being driven along our
crowded streets, and we may expect to hear of numerous, probably some
fatal, injuries being sustained during the short, and, often, very
dark days, which are common for some months in the winter. Everyone,
whose avocations call him into the city, has to complain of the delay
arising from the over-crowded state of the leading thoroughfares;
and, on Smithfield Market days, the obstruction is greatly increased
by the droves of cattle and sheep which, in a bewildered, and
frequently infuriated state, are being forced by crowds of men, boys,
and dogs, along the streets, to the great annoyance, and, often,
danger, of the passengers. I do not here dwell on the revolting
scenes of cruelty to the animals, which everyone has to witness and
deplore; but, on the ground of danger to human life, and, also,
because of the seriously increased obstruction to the general
traffic, which is caused by having the cattle market in the heart of
the metropolis, I would urge the removal of Smithfield Market to some
more appropriate place. When this has been effected--when
_abattoirs_ have been constructed, where, alone, all the larger
animals are permitted to be slaughtered, and when cattle are allowed
to be driven through the streets only at hours before the business of
the day has commenced--then, and not before, will London be, in
reference to its cattle market and slaughter houses, what is required
in the middle of the nineteenth century."

_Punch_ gives us the following lyric on the s