285. _Sale by Candle._--Forty or fifty years ago goods were advertised
for public sale "by the candle." Can any of your readers inform me of
the origin of this?
I may remark that it was the custom then at some sales to have candles
marked with red circles; and the moment the candle burned down to the
mark, the lot put up was knocked down to the highest bidder; and, at
some sales, a common candle was burned during the sale.