The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-01-23

a street is free from the sound of harp,
hurdy gurdy or violin. These and the mid
night entertainments are for the million.
You would think they would grow weary
of these things. But there seems always
q group to collect about and listen.
We pass along. The girl who marches
50 boldly up to us is about on the third
downward plane. She is not so low as
those we left few moments since in the
lane. Her complexion is still fresh her
attire is fashionably cut; it has been
newer; and like the wearcr it has begun
to show the opening buds of seediness.
She speaks: Come, Bub, treat us to a
mug of ale. wont you9 It's awful cold.
and amt got any money So she halls
every hating passer. She know The virtue
OF patience and perseverance. The com
ing man will come along by and by who
will treat. Here is The Wellington.
Noted House for Tarter and Ales." More
woman gossip under its windows. The
''retai entrance" is full the 'tjug and
bottle department" is full the ''priyate
BARI is full. Such are the usual COM
partments of a London hotel.
Some would call these squalid women,
thus drinking and carousing until mid
| night, only 'swretched creatures" But
amid all their rags, tags, dirt and CRIME,
they do not seem wretched. Wretched-
ness implies personal misery and distress.
Rich men, well fed, in fine linen, and
purple on their noses, with great ventures
at stake, are sometimes wretched. But
these people among whom take my daily
walks in the Seven Dials and elsewhere
seem Jolly and happy night and day.
Their tongues are always going, and in
| the street at least. they laugh oftener than
they cry. If they ever bemoan their
poverty and sqnalor, they DO il in a lump.
and then cry quits. sometimes think that
elevations of any sort bring the most care
and unhappiness.
Socially and financially, and probably
| morally these people are down to the bed
| rock But that doesn't seem to trouble
them They We're born and always
expected to stay there. They have never
| ''tallen.' They We're never on a moral
deviation to fall from. They are innocent
| ~ irregular and improper, perhaps wicked
like tigers, rattlesnakes, and pigs. Talk
to them about Il clean house. They
couldn't stay in one. 1t would feel I'M
| natural. 1t would he like putting pig
| in II parlor. OF course, the creature
would grunt and squcal for his straw, and
would sadly miss the luxury of wading
knee deep in muck. ! do not believe that
the Drury Lane and Seven Dials bed rock
Stratum of poverty in London suffer half
as much rs does indignant gentility
| Give the bed rock shilling per day and
it can live on it. Two herring may be
had for Il penny and a Loaf for two pence.
| There's fuel enough to insure the produc-
ton OF the breath of lite for twenty-tour
| hours. Three and six per week pays room
| rent, that extent being shared perhaps be
| tween half a dozen. There is no style to
'c kept mp. The whole occupation Of
| eXistenc" in coarse animal enjoyment.
Ihcir midnight supper ct hot fried fish at
| penny plate, and a halt pint of porter
tor another penny, tastes as good Is
grouse and champagne. They have but
| one character 10 maintain, and that a bad
one. which il is easy enough for them to
do Fashion does not trouble them They
are not ashamed OF rags. Congenial as
soeiation is plentiful. Night and day the
street furnishes something interesting and
exciting. No, they are not wretched.
They have nothing To be wretched on.
Cor. San Francisco Bnlletn.