ABATTOIR. An abattoir, in France, is a slaughter-house, in a form which was first adopted at Paris in 1810. There are three on the north side of Paris, and two on the south side, not far from the barriers, and about two miles from the centre of the city. The cattle markets for the supply of Paris are several miles distant, and the cattle are driven from them round the exterior boulevards to the abattoirs, and consequently do not enter the city. At one of the abattoirs each butcher has his slaughter-house, a place for keeping the meat, an iron rack for fat, pans for melting it, and a place with convenience for giving cattle hay and water, and where they may be kept before being slaughtered. A fixed sum is charged for this accommodation, and in 1843 the fee was 6 francs for each ox, 4 francs for a cow, 2 francs for a calf, and 10 cents for a sheep. The income of the establishment, arising from these fees, the sale of manure, ctc., was above 48,0001. in 1842. An inspector is appointed at each abattoir, and means are taken to prevent unwholesome meat being sold. There are slaughter-houses under pub lie regulations in most of the continental cities ; and those of New York and Philadel phia, and some other of the cities of the American Union, are, it is said, placed on is similar footing.
The great cattle-market in Smithfield, for the supply of London, has existed above five centuries, but the spot was originally a piece of waste ground beyond the city, instead of being, as at present, surrounded by a dense population. The cattle sold in Smithfield Market amount annually to about 180,000, and the sheep to about 1,500,000, and at least this number are annually slaughtered within the limits of the metropolis. There are slaughtermen who kill for other butchers fre quently above a hundred head of cattle, and perhaps five or six Is undred sheep, every week ; many butchers kill for themselves to a consi derable extent, and there are few who have not accommodation for slanghtering and dressing a few sheep, either in the cellar un derneath their shop, or in the rear of their premises. The slaughter houses, for sheep, in Newgate market, many of which are in cellars, and in Warwick-lane, are close to Newgate-street, and within a hundred and fifty yards of Ludgate-street, two of the great thoroughfares of London.
During the last few years searching en quiries have been made respecting the prac ticability of removing Smithfield and establishing abattoirs for the metropolis in a less crowded situation. The city authorities, who levy considerable tolls in the market, have resisted all proposals for removing it to any place beyond their jurisdiction ; and the contest has been (and still is) whether such a removal, to Islington or elsewhere, shall take place ; or whether Smithfield market itself shall be enlarged and improved. An opulent projector, some years ago, expended upwards of 100,0001. in the formation of a cattle market in Lower Islington ; twenty- two acres of land were appropriated ; and the market was efficiently provided with counting-houses, offices, sheds, lairs, pens, wells, and everything requisite for a market suitable for twice as many cattle as are accommodated at Smithfield ; while plans were arranged for abattoirs ad joining. The market was opened in 1833 ;
but this vast scheme failed, from various causes, and the well-arranged area has ever since re mained wholly useless. To revive this mar ket, is one among many recent projects.
In 1847 a Committee of the House of Com mons enquired into the subject of Smithfield market. The evidence was published, but without any report on the part of the Com mittee. Among the items of evidence it was stated that the largest Smithfield market-day (down to the end of 1840) occurred in 1844 : on one day in that year there were 5,633 cattle and 39,920 sheep exposed for sale at Smithfield. In the voluminous evidence, ex tending to 400 pages, every part of the sub ject received much elucidation, and many details were given concerning the abattoirs of Paris ; but it became afterwards known that the Committee were too much puzzled by conflicting evidence to form any decided opi nion on the main question submitted to them.
Early in the session of 1849 Mr. Mackinnon moved for the appointment of a committee to enquire into the state of Smithfield market, with a view either to its removal or its im provement. There was some opposition to the motion ; but the committee was eventu ally appointed, and evidence was taken, bear ing on the subject. About the middle of the year the report of the committee was pre sented; in which it was stated that Smithfield market, from its deficiency in size, and from the inconvenience which was thereby created, ought to be abolished ; that the area of a new market, its site and locality, should be deter mined by the authorities of the city of Lon don, or, if they declined, by the government; that of the 51 acres which Smithfield occu pies, 4 acres should be converted into a pleasant open square, and the remaining acres devoted to a range of handsome buildings, the rents of which would proba blygo far to make up for the loss of tolls sustained by the corporation. In a long debate, Mr. Mackinnon pressed upon the go vernment the adoption of plans in conformity with the report; but the session passed away without further results.
In the early part of 1850 a commission investigated the whole subject, and reported on the propriety of removing the market from Smithfield; but no legislative steps have yet been taken; and the city authorities are still planning various improvements (to cost 500,0001.) in the existing market. Whilst the authorities of the City of Loudon are thus deli berating how they can best preserve a profit able nuisance, the city of Edinburgh is building an abattoir, that may be a model to munici palities who concern themselves for public good.