The semi-weekly mountain Democrat. (Placerville, El Dorado Co. [Calif.]) 1860-1860, 1860-11-24
The Shadows Of London Life.

Tne Sh6UOW1 Oh AOhuOn AAhes
Mr.. Wilkes, editor Of the Spirit ot'the
Times, visited. recently, some of the low
places Of London, and as he looked about
him with the eyes Of newspaper man,
he observed keenly, and recorded faith
fully what he saw. The pictures he
draws could hardly be matched anywhere
in the cities Of our land, and We trust
that we shall never arrive at that pitch Of
civilization which shall enable us to pre-.
sent similar samples.
with party of other gentlemen, ac-
cOmpanied by policeman to guide and
guard, they explored the subterrnncan
haunts, which swarmcd with thieves and
squaiid wretchcs. On their way their
pockets were anglcd at continually by ex.
pcr,s, but they had taken the precaution
to leave their valableS at home. The first
den they entered was a cellar or cave,
lighted with single rush-light, and there
were a number Of ruffians and loafcrs
smoking and enjoying themselves, one Of
whom sang a song with taste and feeling,
which bctokencd he had seen better days.
Their next visit is thus described:
Our policeman led the way across the
street and brushed the crowd from mar
row passage, the gap Of which looked like
the entrance to pigsty, and was but
wide enough for US to advance in single
file. The board flooring, sluiced aud un.
dcrmincd by continual streams of filth,
splashed under our feet, and our noses
were asSailed with vapOrs that seemed al
most tangible to the touch. However,
we CROPPED on, sustained in hardihOol bv
common example, though the loss of
my handkerchief almost made n descrter.
Far up in this foul alley we came to q
side door, which led us into an apartment
some sixteen feet square, and about ten
feet high. All was dark when we entered,
but our lantern lit up sight such as
had never seen before, and such n one !
pray God may never see again. In that
contracted lair lay thirty human beings,
men, women and children; YES, thirty
white Christians, Of a Christian land,
packed head and feet in layers, like the
black cargo Of a slave ship under chase,
and most Of them, adults, as well as in.
fants, as naked as they were born.
Some were families, some were man
and wife, some were single dodgers Mt a
penny q head. Some wore few scnnty
patches, others were partially covered
with q sheet, but many were threadlcss
and indifferent to exposure.
g. deal with u rcpulsivc subject, but
surgery cannot be faStidious, and dwell
upon the features Of this den, because il
exists almost within stones throw from
the palaces of mobiles. and under the
noses, it may be said, of the snulIing
hypOcrites of Exeter Hall. whose mock
philanthropy denies Sunday sunshine tc
the wcaricd artisan, and who plrnder
well.meaning poverty to provide blankets
and Bibles for the happier heather.
Opposite this model lodging house,
over the way, as it were, but across q
passage only two feet wide, is restau
rant, where chops are cooked, HOLSTERS
and ale served out, and dirty faced gen
tlcmen are furnished with pipes and to
bacco at the very lowest rates. Here tn,
creatures who crawl and move in the 9th
or room get fed, and replenish the fou
currents Of their being with fouler food
The occupations Of those who inhabit
such dens As these are various; some art
street cagcrs. who rake the thoroughfarC
for rags and paper; some are those pccu
liar scavengers who gather offal and be.
come so euterprising in their calling as to
chase the coach horses in the street in
anticipation of windfall-a frequent
sight in London; some are bcggars; some
are thieves, and some are mere loafcrs,
who, having raised capital of children
send them forth to pilGcr or to beg, in
order that they, their parents, may re.
cline III an'opuIcnce of gin and tobacco,
during the evening Of their days"