The marketing on Manhattan seems to have been, for some years, a system of general huckstering. For the better security of seasonable supplies the authorities ordered in 1676, that all country people bringing supplies to market should be exempt from arrests for debt, and that the Market-house, a small building devoted to that use, and the green before the fort (the present site of Bowling Green), should be used for the city sales. In 1683 markets were appointed to be held three times a week, to be opened and closed by ringing a bell. In 1692, a market-house for meat was ordered at the foot ofroad street, and subsequently nearly every slip on the East river side, where the city mainly lay at that time, had its market-house. "Bear Market" (Washington), so called from the fact that bear meat was first sold in it, was the first on the west side. The-present structure was erected in 1813; and though low, gloomy, and in a decayed condition, has for many years been the principal wholesale market of the city. The market proper contains five hundred and three stands (with many outside), and furnishes employment and subsistence for about 10,000 persons. Its annual business is believed to exceed $100,000,000. The market buildings, numbering fifteen, are judiciously distributed through the city; most of them are still owned by the corporation, and bring an annual income of several hundred thousand dollars. Several fine market buildings have recently been erected by private parties. The Manhattan Market Company, chartered a year and a half since, are now erecting the largest and finest market building yet undertaken on the island. It stands on the block between Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth streets, Eleventh and Twelfth avenues. The main structure, which is of iron, stone, and Philadelphia brick, is 800 feet long and 200 feet deep, and will contain 800 stands. The interior of the structure is 80 feet high, well lighted, and if Washington is ever removed, this appears certain to become the principal wholesale market of the city. The contractors have agreed to complete it by the first of October, 1871. Others are to follow under the direction of this company.