The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-01-09
Foreign Correspondence of the Mime
sotian.-NO. 3.

Foreign Correspondence of the Minne-
sotian.-NO. 3.
LoNDON-Its Streets Shipping THE Leviathan-
Queer Sgns-Rev. Mr.. Spurgeon.
MEssRs EDIroRs-I do not remember of
being so bewildered as l was for the first
few days after my arrival in this city; and
now that 1 am familiar with it's principal
streets and thoroughfares, really think it is
too large for any one place. London like all
other old places in England, is badly built,
the streets are narrow and houses irregular.
There are, of course, streets that are excep-
tions to this, particularly Oxford and Regent
Streets the latter is in the shape of a half
circle and is the finest street in London
The best part Of the city is the West End,
or that is what it is termed, and is of mod
ern build, and contains the residences of most
of the nobility and aristocracy.
Tho shipping is wholly confined to the
Eastern part, and mostly in docks built in
land from the River, some of them are splen-
did works of masonry, and l believe are con-
sidered the best docks in the world. There
is but very little wharfage along the banks
dwelling and ware houses are built with
their rears to the waters edge all through the
city, giving the River anything but pleas
ing appearance, the only thing that 1 can
think of for its being built so, is on account
of the water being so filthy and smelling so
offensive, for at London it looks worse than
the Missouri, and smells worse than it looks.
The steamboats, on this River are complete
nuisances. If any nation had offered a re-
ward for the most miserable and inconvenient
boats for passengers, don't think they would
have worse lot than those on the Thames.
All the accommodation on these boats are on
deck, and even there, there is no shelter from
rain or sun, and no cushion of any kind on
the seats, and often not half enough seats for
the passengers. These boats run from five
to thirty miles each way, and in fine wealth
er are crowded with passengers.
took passage on one of these boats for
Woolwich, and on the way there We passed
the Great Eastern steamship; she is being
built on the Thames about miles from Lon
don she is built broadside to the water; at
the time saw her she had no masts or smoke
pipes on her hull is painted red did not
go on board, therefore I cannot give you a
description of her interior. l have heard
many doubt the existence of this ship, but 1
assure you it is fact that she is building !;
her tonnage is, believe 23,500 tons, and
when finished will afford accommodations for
10000 troops. Since 1 saw her they have
tried and failed to launch her, and at the same
time named her the Leviathan. 1t would be
joke if they could not launch her. re-
member at the time the steamship Great
Britain was built, she was at that time the
largest ship adoat, and she was built toe
large to pass the dock gates so as to get out
to sea, and these dock gates had to be en-
larged for that purpose at a great expense
to the owners of that ship.
But to return to London; there are many
things to attract attention to strangers l
notice that butcher shops, and fish stalls, are
in stores in all the streets here, and in fact
in all the large places in England. An
American will also perceive stores for the
sale of American productions; saw one ol
these, book store, another for the sale oil
various articles of American inventions, and
one for the sale of old DR.. Jacob Townsend's
Sarsaparilla in the window of this last store
/ noticed some fine American engravings
one of which was the Hudson River steam.
boats. another the Metropolitan Hotel, New
York. On few of the Porter Houses, ]
saw lettered "real American Drinks" such a:
Sherry Cobler, Mint Juleps, Punch, &C., &c
l will here remark that ice is net used ii
England in summer, or at least except by {
few in the large cities, it is mott in general use
was quite amused to see some of the names
of firms doing business here; in Oxford stree
see Flint & Steel keep boot and sho'
store Frost & Snow keep another store, ane
another read thus, ''Smith & (176) Sons" o
course it is no wonder that the Smiths are sc
scarce ; guess this is the fountain bead
Some people might say the 17G was the mum
ber of the store; this 1 won't dispute be.
cause don't like to argue the point.
Some of the London public carriages are
called hansoms these are singular looking
things the driver is seated behind, and they
seem to be much in vogue among the travel
ing public in London. ..- -,
Having great desire to hear the celebrat
ed Rev. Mr.. Spurgeon preach, went to tn,
Furry Geological Gardens for that purpose
The Musical Hall in these Gardens, in wnicI
he breaches every Sunday, is built Ikea The
a.re, having four tiers OF boxes. 1t is, l be
lieue tho i,rrest nnhlic building that coul