Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-06
nltsrellanp.
A Nightly Scene in London.

On the fifth of last November, 1, the Con.
ductor of this Journal, accompanied by friend
well-known to the public, accidentally strayed
nto Whitechapel Itwas miserable evening;
very, dark, very muddy, and raingng hard
There are many woful sights in that part Of
London, and it has been well-known to me in
most of its aspects for many years. We had
forgotten the mud and rain in slowly walking
along and looking about us, when we found
ourselves at eight o'clock, before the Work
house.
Crushing against the wall of the Workhouse, 4
in the dark steet, on the muddy pavementstones,
with the rain raining upon them, were five bum
dies of rags. They were motionless, and had
no resemblance to the human form. Eve great
beehives, covered with rags-fve dead bodies
taken out of graves, tied neck and heels, and
covered, with rags-would have looked like
those five bundles upon which the rain rained
down in the public street.
"What is this " said my companion.-
"What IL this /"
"Some miserable people shut out of the
Casual Ward, think" said H.
chad stopped before the five ragged mounds,
and were quite rooted to the spot by their hor-
rible appearance. Five awful Sphinxes by the
wayside crying to every passer-by, " Stop and
guess What is to be the end Of state of
society that leaves us here "
ool daoont 1unrl-
ing-man, having the appearance Of stone-ma-
SON touched me on the shoulder.
"This is an awful sight, sir, said he, " in
Christian country"
"God knows it is, my FRIEND" said l.
81 have often seen it much worse than this,
as have been going home from my work. 1
have counted fifteen, twenty, fve-and-twenty,
many time. It's shocking thing to see."
"A shocking thing, indeed" said l and my
companion together. The man fingered near
us little while, wished us goodnight, and
and went on.
We should have felt it brutal in us who had
a better chance of being heard than the work
ing-man, to leave the thing as it was, so we
knocked at the Workhouse Gate. l undertook
to be spokesman. The moment the gate was
opened by an old pauper, went in, followed
close by my companion. lost no time in pass
ing the old porter, for saw in his eye dispo-
sition to shut US out.
BE so good as to give that card to the mas
ter of the Workhouse, and'say shall be glad
to speak to him for moment"
We were in a kind of covered gateway, and
the old porter went across it with the card
Before he had got to door on our left, man
in cloak and hat bounced out of it very sharp
ly, as if he were in the nightly habit of being
bullied and of returning the compliment.
CHOW, gentlemen" said he in a loud voice,
what do you want heree"
i" First" said l, will you do me the favor
to look at that card in your hand Perhaps
you may know my name"
eyes," says he, looking at it. 81 know
this name"
"Good. only want to ask you plain
question in civil manner, and there is not the
least occasion for either of us to be angry. 1t
would be very foolish in me to blame you, and
don't plane you. l may find fault with the
system you administer, but pray understand
that know you are here to do duty pointed
out to you, and that have no doubt you do it.
Now, hope you won't object to tell me what
want to know"
"No," said he, quite Modified, and worry
reasonable, "not at all. What is it !"
"Do you know that there are five wretchet
creatures outside?"
81 haven't seen them, but dare say ther'
are."
"Do you doubt that there are!
"No, not at all. There might be man
more.'
"Are they men! Or women !"
"Women, I suppose. Very likely one Q
two of them were there last night, and th
night before last"
"There all night do you meant"
every likely"
NV companion and looked at one another
and the master of the Workhouse added quicl
ly, "Why, Lord bless my soul, what am l
do! What can do! The place is full. III
place is always full-every night I must gi'
the preference to women with children, must n
II You would MT have me not do that"
"Surely not, said 1. 1T is a very human
principle, and quite right; and 1 am glad
hear of it. Don't forget that don't blan
you."
"Well !" said he. And subdued himse
again.
"What want to ask you," went on, g
whether you know anything against those &
miserable beings outside S"
Don't know anything about them, +" said h
with q wave Of his arm.
81 ask, for this reason that we mean
give them triae to get lodging-if they a
not shelterlees because they are thieves
instance. You don't know them to be thieves
II don't know anything about them," he
peated emphatically
That is to say, they are shut out, solely
cause the Ward is full Z ="
b" Because the Ward is full"
"And if they get in, they would only ha
q aroof for the night and bit of bread in t
morning, suppose
"That's all. You'll use your own discreet
about what you give them. Only understa
that don't know anything about them beyo
what | have told you.'
"Just so. wanted to know no more. Y
have answered my question civilly and readi
and am much obliged to you. | have nothi