“I never knew things so bad as at present--never! I had six prime cod-fish, weighing 15lbs. to 20lbs. each, yesterday and the day before, and had to take two home with me last night, and lost money on the others--besides all my time, and trouble, and expense. I had 100 herrings, too, that cost 3_s._--prime quality, and I only sold ten out of them in a whole day. I had two pads of soles, sir, and lost 4_s._--that is one pad--by them. I took only 4_s._ the first day I laid in this stock, and only 2_s._ 6_d._ the next; I then had to sell for anything I could get, and throw some away. Yet, people say mine’s a lazy, easy life. I think the fall off is owing to meat being so cheap, ’cause people buy that rather than my goods, as they think there’s more stay in it. I’m afeard things will get worse too.” (He then added by way of _sequitur_, though it is difficult to follow the reasoning,) “If this here is free-trade, then to h-- with it, I say!”
OF THE CAPITAL AND INCOME OF THE COSTERMONGERS.
I shall now pass, from the consideration of the individual earnings, to the income and capital of the entire body. Great pains have been taken to ensure exactitude on these points, and the following calculations are certainly below the mark. In order to be within due bounds, I will take the costermongers, exclusive of their wives and families, at 10,000, whereas it would appear that their numbers are upwards of 11,000.
1,000 carts, at 3_l._ 3_s._ each £3,150 [Donkeys, and occasionally ponies, are harnessed to barrows.] 5,000 barrows, at 2_l._ each 10,000 1,500 donkeys, at 1_l._ 5_s._ each 1,875 [One intelligent man thought there were 2,000 donkeys, but I account that in excess.] 200 ponies, at 5_l._ each 1,000 [Some of these ponies, among the very first-class men, are worth 20_l._: one was sold by a coster for 30_l._] 1,700 sets of harness, at 5_s._ each 425 [All calculated as worn and second-hand.] 4,000 baskets (or shallows), at 1_s._ each 200 3,500 stalls or standings, at 5_s._ each 875 [The stall and barrow men have generally baskets to be used when required.] 10,000 weights, scales, and measures, at 2_s._ 6_d._ each 1,250 [It is difficult to estimate this item with exactitude. Many averaged the value at 3_s._ 4_d._] Stock-money for 10,000 costers, at 10_s._ each 5,000 ------- Total capital £23,775 -------