Page 226 - Reading Mercury

was a tolerably good attendance, and altogether the re-commencement was such as to
be highly encouraging. Precisely at one o’clock, the market bell rang and business at
once began. The prices asked for wheat were generally very high, and this had the
effect of checking purchases, the sellers continued firm, and the sales made must be
reported at the full currencies of Reading market on Saturday last. Barley is now little
sought after, and the quantity on offer was sufficient for the demand. The rates did not
vary from those obtainable at other markets. In oats and peas there was little doing,
but beans were in good request.
The following is a correct statement of the prices obtained:--Wheat from 73s. to
84s.; Barley, 32s. to 34s.; Oats, 28s. to 33s.; Beans, 48s. to 52s.; Peas, 44s. to 46s.

POULTRY MARKET
There was a good supply, and ready demand. Prices:--Fowls, 8s., and ducks, 5s., per
couple.

CATTLE MARKET
There has hitherto been a cattle market held here, but this is also sought to be
improved, and the supply was certainly large. Several dealers were present, and the
prices realised were, for cows with calf, from £14 to £18; two-year old steers, £8 to
£10; in-calf cows, £12 to £15. Lambs, sold at 20s. to 28s.; ewes at 25s. to 40s. and fat
wether sheep at 44s. each. Fat calves, at 4s. 8d. to 5s. per stone of 8lbs. There was a
good number of pigs penned, and for strong hogs, 33s. to 50s. were given; and 4 for
stores 14s to 20s.

th
15 Sept
FALL OF SEBASTAPOL
Late on Monday night, the news of this great event reached a select few at
Wokingham, but ninety-nine hundredths of its population awoke on Tuesday morning
in ignorance of the important intelligence. Some few, remembering the former
disappointment hesitated in believing it but the arrival of the London morning papers
with the official announcements, and the circulation of a “fly leaf” from the printing
office and news agent’s, removed all doubt as to its authenticity. A subscription in aid
of celebrating our great triumph was hastily effected by two patriotic tradesmen and
the fruits soon appeared.
The air rang with the merry peals of the church bells, and triple bob major hinted
something important to the ears of the surrounding neighbourhood. The town band
took the field in full force and efficiency, raising the hearts and spirits of the elder as
well as the more juvenile classes of the community. An individual of some notoriety
in our town, voluntarily constituted himself drum-major, and bearing a flag, headed
the perambulations of the band with such an excess of zeal and energy, that the more
stirring incidents of the evening arrived, he was compelled to sleep off the effects of
his labours and libations.
As soon as it was dark a procession of the band by torchlight was hastily arranged
and the old town shone out in lurid glow. To this succeeded a large bonfire in the
Market-place, faggots, tar barrels, sugar, hogsheads and other combustible materials
readily contributed. A frequent feu de joie from small arms and fowling pieces was
substituted for salvoes of artillery. These rejoicings were kept up until midnight, the
lighting up of the air by the torches and bonfire having brought in many persons from
the neighbourhood, and all ended merrily and happily, no mishap of any kind

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