Brewer's: Inch of Candle

(Sold by). A sale by auction. Instead of the hammer of the auctioneer concluding the bids, the purchaser was the last bidder before the candle went out. Another plan is to stick a pin in a candle, and when the pin drops down, the sale of the article is concluded.

Down were tumbled miracle and martyr, Put up in lots, and sold by inch of candle.

PeterPindar: Lyric Odes, xiii.

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