Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-18
LETTERS FROM ABRoAp-NO. 8.

the other, in this great metropolis, that it is
difficult indeed to steal a few moments from the
thoughts and plans of the hour in order 10 vcr
ify my promise to you. Descriptions of Lon
don and all the sights that may be seen here,
are almost as common as the blades of grass
that grow, and much more accurate and trust
worthy than any l can give; yet, as you sug-
gest, such descriptions as are given in a cor
respondence bring the objects described near
er to ones imagination, and may be of interest
and value. Accordingly l will at intervals at
tempt descriptions of some of the more promi-
nent objects Of interest here; noticing also the
peculiaritics of English manners and customs,
giving, as far as may be able, an insight into
English life, suggesting the proprety of many
customs prevalent here, and the improperly of
many customs prevailing in America that are
unknown here. Among the latter ito begin
at the end) is the exclusively american and dis
gracefully filthy habit Of cheering tobacco, which
every Englishman who has ever been to
America, invariably alludes to as the most as
tonishing custom that he has observed. 1t is
satlrized and commented upon in every work
that ever was published on American customs,
as those who have read the works of DIR.
Mackay and Charles Dickens will remember
DIR. Mackay is particularly severe upon the
practice-so much so that he apologies to
the Americans in his work, declaring that he
would not have spoken so severely about it
had he not hoped that the continued shafts of
satire leveed against it would eventually blot
it out.
You hear it on all sides; you see it in the
prints; it is alluded to whenever it can be
properly dragged into conversation, or embod-
led in an article witness, for example. the
NJ nchester Standard of a recent date in an
article on the subject of secret ballot, which
has been prominent matter for discussion for
some time past, lin which Amasa Walker of
Massachusetts has taken prominent part) the
| Following sentence occurs Tin Massachu-
sets the envelope goes to the polls unsealed.
The men Of that state, and indeed of the whole
Union, though protuse otteraciSe in erpectora-
ton, are chary OF their Saliva in election mat
ters." Chewing tobacco is a national shame.
unknown elsewhere on the globe, and if men
OF this generation cannot become ashamed of
it, let them shame their children of it, so that
another generation of Americans may not dis
grace their civilization.
THE PEIHo DIFFICULTY
The absorbing topic of conversation now
occupying the attention of political, CONNER
cIal, financial, and social circles and affecting
them all equally, is the contemplated expedi-
ton OF France and England against China, to
avenge the attack of the Chinese garrisons on
the English and French ships of-war. at the
mouth of the Peiho river Both nations are
making extensive preparations to obtain sat
lsfacuon, and should war be necessary, it is
anticipated that there will be a long and
bloody one. 1t is hoped, however, that the
Chinese Emperor will declare that the thing
was done without his authority but should
1t result that he really adopted this measure to
prevent the contamination of the treaties of
! Iien-Tsing, the combined nations tare evil
IDENTITY determined on summary vengeance.
| hear many Englishmen say, however, that
they fully justify the Chinese in opposing the
entrance into their river of foreign squadron.
1t could hardly be expected however that
| John Bull would be willing to proceed to
Pekin, in manner dictated by anyJody; as did
our American Ambassador. The whole trans
action Is at present involved in mystery, and
the next mail is awaited with much anxiety.
Meanwhile surmlSe takes the place of accurate
knowledge, and the British nation trembles ON
| the verge of another war, which if prosecuted
will be decisive of the relations of China, with
the rest of the world and in the result of
which America will have an equal interest with
all other civilized nations.
| LONDON POST OFFICES
Let me attempt to give you an idea of the
vastness of this great city. The densely
populated portion of London comprises one
hundred and twenty square miles, and con
| talnS nearly three million of people
more than one hundred times as MANY as
there are in the city of Worcester; more than
fifteen times as many as there are in Boston,
and nearly SIX times as many as there are in
New York. The city of London however,
or that portion comprised within the walls
contains less than one square mile. Londonnow
comprises many municipalities which were
formerly separate and distinct, but are now as
closely connected and as much under one gov
eminent, as the different streets of Worcester.
The following are the names of some of these
municipalities, viz: Battersee, Paddington.
Portland, Camden Town, Islington, Hoxton,
Kingston, Bayswater, Kensington, Brompton,
Chelsea, PimicO, st. James, White Chanel,
&c. These districts yet bear their distinct
names, and as distinct in their postal ar
engagements, as the separate towns of Mas .
sachusetts. A letter for example sent to an
address i'll London would no more reach its
| destination than one sent to an address
| in Massachusetts, without specifying the
town. Indeed the postal system of Lon
don is as extensive as that of Massachusetts.
| There is a general post Office like that of Bos-
ton, which distributes the letters to the various
districts, as Boston does to the counties. Then
there is a general post office in each district,
like the one in Worcester for example, where
the letters are distributed to the various sub
ordinate offices (of which there is one in near:
y every street, as they are distributed from
Worcester to the various towns. Every letter
| a., Il;