The National Register.
London, England, 1819-09-26 00:00:00

THE STREETS OF LONDONi

MR. EDITOR.-.—YoUr Readers in general are
pretty well acquainted with the manocrs of the Me-
tropolis displayed in the streets of London, yet you
will perhaps consider certain details published in the
Gazette de France of the I 3th inst. on the subject,
rather amusing. The writer, it appears, left P..ris
a few weeks since, to scrutinize the habits and be-
haviour ofJohn Bull, to descant uptit his deformity,
anti bestow praise where it is due. I low far he has
faithfitlly discharged that task, your intelligent
readers will judge. The writer has headed his
letter " Les Ines de Londres."

He says—" The first thing that struck me in my
walk throughout the metropolis of Englund, was a
thick smoke from sea-coal, which obscured the sky.
This awoke affected my throat in a disagreeable
manner. ':'he English are not sensible of the same
inconvenience, because habit has reconciled them to
it. All the English, without distinction, use this
combustible ; the tire of which is more equal, ar-
dent, and lively than any other. If it was inju-
rious to health, the rich would expel it from their
houses. I walked over the pave, not knowing
where I went. Every street was indifferent to
me, because all that I wished to we, and all that
was presented to me, had the appearance of no-
velty. I read the names of the streets, and viewed
the shops and equipages with an air of astonishment.
In less than twenty minutes I arrived at Piccadilly,
covered with dust, having been jostled by ut least
a thousand persons, who forced me to make way
quicker than I wished.
The English, and particularly those born in
London, are as rank badaubs (Cockneys) us the
Parisians ; but I must do them the justice to admit,
that they do not show their cockneyism in any
thing su much as their public pleasures and diver-
sions. Business is the leading feature of an Eng-
lishinun's character. He goes out in the morning
to transact matters of trade or commerce, and he
does not expect to meet in the street one idle per-
son. From ten in the morning to three in the after.
noon, every ',Oily is busy. Thu mall who walls
out between those hours from curiosity only, is tin.
fbrtunate. He is pushed rudely by all he meets.
Every one knows how to use his elbows and his
Srsts. They allow no time the excuses. They
dis-
pense with civility in the streets as tiliperilOolls.
I own I was astonished to find the people of Lon-
don in that respect not so ridiculous as the Pari-
sians. -' cast my eyes upon a great street half built,
which appeared to be composed of magnificent ho-
tels. I asked an Englishman to tell me the name.
He answered Waterloo, and supposing I did nut
understand him, repeated the word. The English
have multiplied that word in a singular manner.
They have raised many monuments to its glory.
They have Waterloo Bridge, Waterloo-place, Wa-
terluo-house, &c. &c. We have in Paris similar
instances of baptisms. We have had Places de
Jeminapes, of Fleurns, and of %Vagrant. The bridges
of Austerlitz and Jena, the Barriers of Marengo,
Lodi, Itivoli, and Arcole streets.

Piccadilly is one of the most brilliant streets of
the English capital. It is a fashionable street,
having at its extremity the two line promenades,
the Green Park and Hyde Park. '1 he hotel of
Lord Burlington is remarkable thr taste and de-
gunge---it would do honour to a French architect.
Two doors modestly open in the English style, at
the residence of the Marlborough of 181 E. If a
crowd of lazy servants, in livery, indicate the
abode of a great man, we may look in vain for him
here. Curto,ity 'mule me entcr the hall of this
palace. which I had been told, contained the finest
chefs d'asuvres of art. There must be many, since
the proprietor has placed one the finest works of
Canova, the statue of Buonaparte, thrtnerly in-
tended for the Salle de Alarechaux, at the foot of
the staircase i►t that part of the hotel, appropriated
to servants.

This want of taste struck me with disgust. I did
not expect to find other objects of art better ar-
ran.,ncd nod I left the hotel. -A short distam,e from
this illustrious Palace, I found Albemarle-street,
and the modest hotel, occupied by Louis the Eigh-
teenth, when the wisbcs of France cilted him to the
Throne of his Ancestors. Here he remained after
he leti Ilartwell—here he was saluted by the ite-
elamaii,,:.s of a free people at the moment he pro-
ceetlesi to give liberty to Franci.—here a deputation
from the Litizens of London came to oiler ho-
mage to the grandam of Louis the Fourteenth. It
was one o'clock, and I had taken no other refresh-
ment than some tea and rolls (slices of build and
butter)! I saw remiss passing about me, eating
fruit in a wicker basket. I met an Englishman,
who lodged in my hotel; he infiirmal me that I
was in New Dombstrect, and that it lips the ens •
tom of England, at that hour, to ke what he
culled a lunch. Ile told me it' antetudihe shop
of the first pastry-cook, I shouldotle sure to find not
only re'reshment, but.the liest.comlutny ia London.

nli

The person► who ornamented the pave were ut th
same time men of high distinction. Nleinbers of the
Commons, Peers of the Realm, and Ladies of the
first class; the latter in plain dresses were attended
by lisitmen in splendid liveries. 1 was surprised to
see these Court Ladies addressed with so much fa-
miliarity by the Lords and young fashionables, whq
never moved their hats.

In England they never take off their lists to any
perion. This politeness, so habitual to a French-
man, is considered plebian, and the characteristic of
a servant. Footmen alone have the privilege of be-
ing polite, and they never abuse it.
The Hotel Marlborough, near St. James's, is
oc-
cupied by Prince Leopold of Saxe Cubourg. I
stopped belbre this Palace, but could see nothing
worthy the companion of Prince Eugene. I stopped
before a Pala e of dismal appearance, with
sentinels stationed at both gates. A range
of columns formed a screen in trout, and en-
closed the court of a building of tolerable architec-
ture. This was Carlton House, the residence of
tete heir presumptive to the crown of the Three
Kingdoms.—The Prince Regent receives little com-
pany. His friends alone have the privilege of vi-
siting him. His ministers arrive generally on four,
and without servants. Carlton House stood some
years ago, amidst old delupidated houses. They have
been removed to build the Circus of Waterloo, the
walls of which being white, are covered by inscrip.
tions written by the canaille of London. The
Prince may open his window and cast his eyes 'won
the devices which convey ideas of liberty. Upon
the walls of the palace of the future sovereigns of
England appear in large characters, not two paces
from the centinals on guard.—" Long live Sir Fran-
cis Burdett"—" Burdeit and liberty"—Liberty or
Death."

FROM TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.

..11.
WHITEHALL. SEPT. 20.

His Royal Highne•s the Prince Regent bath been pleased. in
the name and on the behalf of his Majesty. to nominate and ap-
point the Right Hun. Sir William A'Cuurt. Hart. In., I.lit:Sty.ll
Envoy Extraortlinsry and Mirister Plenipotentiary at the Court
of Naples, to be a knight Grand Gioia of the :.lust llonuurablo
Military Crider of time bath.