'GIBSON.' And so they continued to regulate the price, according to the fluctuations of the corn market. Milk was produced from cows kept in London, and was carried round by women, or milkmaids, as they were called. On Doors the sallow Milkmaid chalks her Gains; Ah! how unlike the Milkmaid of the Plains! And the milch-asses went their daily rounds. Asses' milk was in great request, and many were the advertisements of milch-asses for sale. Its price was 3_s._ 6_d._ per quart. Before proud Gates attending Asses bray, Or arrogate with solemn pace the Way; These grave Physicians with their milky Chear, The Love sick Maid, and dwindling Beau repair. Butter was got from the surrounding villages, but already there was a trade in this article with Ireland, for on August 14, 1705, was sold at the Marine Coffee House thirty-eight casks of Irish butter and forty-nine casks of Irish beef. There were several markets in London, each with its specialty. Shall the large Mutton smoke upon your Boards? Such _Newgate's_ copious Market best affords; Would'st thou with mighty Beef augment thy Meal? Seek _Leaden hall_; Saint _James's_ sends thee Veal. _Thames street_ gives Cheeses; _Covent garden_ Fruits; _Moor fields_ old Books; and _Monmouth Street_ old Suits. Vegetables were principally supplied from the Lambeth market gardens, which are thus mentioned by Steele[266]: 'When we first put off from Shore, we soon fell in with a Fleet of Gardeners bound for the several Market Ports of _London_; and it was the most pleasing Scene imaginable to see the Chearfulness with which those industrious People ply'd their Way to a certain Sale of their Goods. The Banks on each Side are as well peopled, and beautified with as agreeable Plantations, as any Spot on the Earth; but the _Thames_ itself, loaded with the Product of each Shore, added very much to the Landskip. It was very easie to observe by their Sailing, and the Countenances of the ruddy Virgins who were Supercargoes, the Parts of the Town to which they were bound. There was an air in the Purveyors for _Covent Garden_, who frequently converse with Morning Rakes, very unlike the seemly Sobriety of those bound for _Stocks Market_.' [Footnote 266: _Spectator_, No. 454.]