It has been already observed that the shops of the perfumers[632] were, for the most part, situated in the Agora or its neighbourhood, and much frequented by newsmongers and young men of distinction. From this it follows, that they must have been of spacious dimensions; and it is extremely probable that they were fitted up with every attention to show and elegance. They necessarily contained a number of seats and chairs for the accommodation of customers, and there can scarcely be a doubt, that the various unguents, perfumes, oils, and essences, were ranged on shelves, along the walls, in fine jars, vases of Cyprian marble, and boxes of alabaster,[633] sometimes of one piece, with vessels of glass and silver,[634] or fine earthenware, or porcelain, or beautiful sea-shells.[635] The counters were probably of marble or polished stone, as at Pompeii; and the shopman was supplied with the usual paraphernalia of scales and weights,[636] and measures, and ladles, and spoons, and spatulæ, as in modern times. Peron, an Egyptian, the owner of one of these shops, has been thought of sufficient consequence to have his name transmitted to posterity.[637] ----- Footnote 632: Demosth. in Olymp. § 3. Athen. i. 33. Poll. vii. 177. Footnote 633: Herod. iii. 20. Pignor. De Serv. 192. Schol. Aristoph. Acharn. 1015. 1027. Athen. xv. 39. Poll. x. 119. Footnote 634: Lucian. Amor. 39. Footnote 635: Horat. Carm. ii. 723. Dœring, however, supposes vessels in the shape of shells to be meant. Footnote 636: Poll. x. 126. Footnote 637: From the way in which this perfumer is mentioned by the comic poets, it may be inferred, that he demanded exceedingly high prices for his commodities. For, in order apparently to tax a person with excessive extravagance, he is said to have purchased unguents of Peron wherewith to anoint the feet of some friend or patron. Athen. xv. 40. xii. 78. -----