In this land of real and
substantial life, the spectre that haunted my joyless days dares not be
seen--the "hour too many" is no more.
_The Forget-Me-Not_.
* * * * *
MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.
(_For the Mirror_.)
SELLING MEAT AMONG THE ANCIENT ROMANS, &c.
It was the custom for the buyer to shut his eyes, and the seller to hold
up some of his fingers; if the buyer guessed aright, how many it was the
other held up, he was to fix the price; if he mistook, the seller was to
fix it. These classic _blind-bargains_ would not suit the
Londonbutchers. This custom was abolished by Apronius, the prefect of
Rome; who in lieu thereof, introduced the method of selling by weight.
Among the ancient Romans there were three kinds of established butchers,
viz. two colleges or companies, composed each of a certain number of
citizens, whose office was to furnish the city with the necessary
cattle, and to take care of preparing and vending their flesh. One of
these communities was at first confined to the providing of hogs, whence
they were called _suarii_; and the other two were charged with cattle,
especially oxen, whence they were called _pecuarii_, or _boarii_.
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