The herald., 1837-04-07


extract the followlng
1t is one great Characteristic OF large cities, that
the lower classes of the inhabitants do not feel IT,
wards each other any of those kindly emotions which
are so visible among the lower orders of society IN
small towns. This want of sympathy III each 9TH
ers suHerlngs, IS particularly observable among The
lower classes in London Eight or ten families may
live IN the same house, though IN different apartments
and yet of the families entertain the slightest
fr endship towards each other. Hence, though one
family be ceniendlng with all the horrors of want,
none of the others, though passably good clrcum-
stances, will afford that family the slightest relief
wife or husband or child may be dying and yet no
inquiry be made as to the progress OF the malady by
the other famles IN the house not even by me la-
ly living in the next room. Death occurs; IT exctes
no sorrow or sympathy in the breast OF any human
being beyond the narrow limits of the family IN which
it takes place This unsocabllty on the part OF the
lower classes this indifference to tse suferlngs and
of each other, greatly to be lamented.-
Were habits of friendly intercourse, and OF sympathy
for each others wants and woes, only - obtain
among them it would 60 far TO ameliorate their con-
dtion and lessen the amount OF misery which exists
among them. And yet it is singular to reflect that
notwithstanding the destltution and wretch
edness which exists among the lower orders Of the
mctrop Jls, there IS so much OF contentment among
them. They are certainly most patient and sub
misslve class.
1t is surprising to witness so much cheerfulness
amidst SO many and such great privations, malu-
tudes OF the lower orders have to endure. You often
great flow of animal spirits in persons for whose
wardrobe no old clothes man would give a coupc of
farthings. Adversely had not soured their minds;
they seem determined 10 be happy in defiance of cir
cumstances. have often thought II pity that fate
to use the term most common among themselves
should have seconded the kindly purposes Of
ture when she BIZ ssed them with such patient and
contcnted dispositions They want but little of the
good things of this world to make them completely
satisfied with Their lot; who can help regreing that
little should be denied them? They have every dis
position TO be quite happy 1t s not Their aultlt IS
the fault of circumstances they are not So How
different are they in disposition from those above
them! 1t c the great error-and II is also msfor-
tune for themselves-of those moving in the upper
ranks of society," to be everastngl ly annoying them
selves about some imaginary good Give but the
lower classes az mach OF the humblest food AMI Of
the plainest clothing as the necessities of nature
quirc, and they are more than satisfied You sec
conten tment III their faces you hear il in the tones Of
their voice. and in all their acts Of intercourse toge
ther Who that has had occasion pass through ST.
Georges fields or any OF The other districts OF the
town ia which the lowest o the lower classes congre
gate in the greatest numbers,-has not been struck
with the eheerfulness which lights up the counte-
nances of young and old? Those little urchins you
see around you, are generally enveloped IN bundle
of rags; they have shoes or stockngs-they never
had any; their faces have not been washed for the
last fortnght-thelr feet never; they have had
food since they rose from their bed, Beyond two or
three cold potatoes, or crust OF bread eight days
old, and yet whers will you more lively chldrenl
The same may be said Of their parents. You see
them sitting at the doors of their novels, looking
out the windows-the men with their coats and hand
kerchefs of, and the women with caps loose-and
both sexes as black with dirt as they had severally
Just made the descent of the chimney. And yet they
psssess as great fiow OF animal spirits, az IL they
were revelllng in all manner of luxury In fact
thing short of absolute starvation depress the sp
rs of the lower classes in the metropolis or render
them dscontentcd with their situation i'm life Even
the beggars in the streets, though obliged TO make de-
mure faces and TO appear in the very depths of de-
spondency when pursuing Ger calling, have Their
hours of unresirained olliiy. They IN the habit
of meeting in forles and fies, in particular houses,
appropriated in different parts of the town for their
ception and spending whole nights IN all manner of
revellings l have been told by those who have put
on ragged cloths for the purpose of enabling them 10
visit such places, aud sec low life, without beng
pected of being other than one of the parties them
selves that the scenes TO be witnessed on sach
sions are ndescrbly rich There ne Of the houses
it is The mos, celebrated one in L.ndon-in ST.
Giles. There beggars of all descriptions cong egate
and make up amply for the prvations Of the day. in
the shape of long faces, mournfu accents, &c, by
the unrestraned enloyments TO which they give thsm
selves up. The moment they enter the precincts Of
the place their assumed character IS laid aside and
they appear in their real one.
There miracles OF every kind are performed and |
that too without the agency Of Prince iiolcnoe or
any body else. Those, who but few hours before |
seemed at the very gates Of death from destituton
are all at once restored 10 THE full enjoyment Of life
In of the place, you will see thirty forty
crutches which were IN requisluon the whole OF the
day, and will be go tomorrow again. but which are |
quite useless now. They wh0 could not move with |
out them, and scarcely with them, short time be-
fore are now among the most nimblc of the COM |
pany. Perhaps they are dancing in the middle of
the floor for one leading feature IN the amusemcnts
o. these "jolly boggars," is that Of having their |
nightly dance. You see glass OF GIN IN every ones
hand except in the hands Of those who are busy in |
breiling Yarmouth lobster, the fire. There you |
see dozens of persons with eyes clear and keen as
those Of eagles whom you saw IN tae streets in the
morning, bookings i'll that you thought they would
be in Their collins before the evening" now, to
their own elegant phraseology, all "alve and kick
ing" Every symptom of sickness has disappeared |
Any docto would almost warrant their lives for at
least half a century
TuE DRuSxARD's DEAvH.-One bitter night he
suak down door step in Piccady faint and i'll. |
The premature decay Of vice and prohpacy had worn
him to the bone His checks were ho low and livd
his eyes were sunken, and their sight was dim His
Ices trcmbled beneath his weight; and cold shyer
ran through every limb.
And now the long forgotten scenes Of miss -spent
life crowded thick and fast upon hun. Hc thought Of
the time when he had a home-a happy, cheerful
home aud of those who peopled II and Hooked about
him then until the forms of his elder children SEEM
ed 10 rise from the grave and stand about him; so
main so clear so distinct they were, that he could
,ouch and feel them Looks that he had long forgot
ten, were fixed upon him once nore voices long
since hushed in death, sounded IN his ears like the
mzsc of village bellsbut il was only Tor an instant
The rain be at heavily upon him. and cold and munger
were gnawng nj his heart again.