The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-29
LONDON BY GAS-LIGHT.
The Great Metropolis of the World
in Its Street Garb.
The "Cabbies" and Their Trade-English
Theaters and Gin Palaces-Fearful
Possibilities of Vice and Crime.
Corresnondenoe Of the 1ndianapolis IournaL

romance from the facts of life which are pro-
verbally so much stranger than fiction. The
census of 1881 placed the population within
the metropolitan police area at 47S8, 657.
Thus there are packed within fifteen miles
of common centre more than double the
number of people in Denmark, including
Greenland; nearly three times as many
as in Greece; three-quarters of q million
more than in Holland; more than in Swe-
den, Norway and Switzerland, and as many,
at a rough guess as are embraced within TIE
ten largest cities of the United States. Nat
urally, therefore, the first thing that strikes
one in the main thoroughfares of London,
equally after gas-light as in the rush of the
busy day. is the great mass of moving hui
mainly that hea'$As and surges around you.
If the happy custom OF keeping to the right
did not prevail you would find considerable
difficulty In making progress. The women
you meet will contrast with those you have
been accustomed to see on promenade in
America, favorably in some things and in
Others most unfavorably. Their upright
bearing and sturdy, Independent step is far
more pleasant to observe than
the stoopy attitude and mncing gait
affected by so many of their transatlantic
sisters, nor can one fail to admire the rudy
glow of their compilations. But their dress
will strike you as being very PLAIN and
homely, and in the monotony OF plump faces
anu red cheeks you would be very glad to
see a few specimens of the spirituele style
of beauty with which you are familiar at
home. AS for the men, you will notice at
once what a large proportion of them smoke
pipes, and how very many on this star-lit
evening carry walklng-sticks If it be true
ms a college professor used to tell his bows
that all who use the latter articles are lame
b. in either body or mind, what terribly at
flicted nation this must be- But let us over
look the Englishman's tendency to put on
airs and throw the mantle of charity, at the
same time, over his ill-fitting olcthos, while
we pause moment to admire his pollteneSs.
The same oblgng manners that impress the
visitor so pleasantly in his shopping expedi-
tons are exhibited by all classes on the
streets. If my Ilord Lavender or the Mar
quis of Tweedledum should step on your pet
corn, he would be sure to turn and beg your
pardon, and the counter-skipner who might
accidentally jab out one of your eyes with
MS cane would be certain to do likewise. A
;reat improvement this on the average
treet manners in vogue in most Amer
can cities. But we are so busy, you know
nd then we beat the English at
o many points thar perhaps we can af-
ord to yield them the palm in this
matter. Il is a pity, however, that the Lon
don society journals should constantly rep
resent us as the most unclvll people on
earthl
But come back now, to the thoroughfares
eff London. Don't conclude, as you would if
you were at home, that all who cross from
one side to the other at irregular angles are
greenies from the country. If you do you'll
condemn the whole lot. In point of fact
there are no regular crossing places in En-
glish cities. excepting such as, in wet wealth
er, are made with broom. So, in common
with the West, if anything on the other side
attracts your attention-the wagon OF the
nussel man that stands in the gutter, or the
basket of tempting bouquets carried by that
old bag whose appearance does violence to
every characteristic of the flower girls with
whom painters and poets have made us ia
miliar-stand not upon; the order of going,
but go at once and take the shortest cut.
You'll find the walking as good generally on
the Clean even streets as on the smooth
sidewalks. Not so safe however; for unless
you have keen eyes and quick wits, with
some dexterity in avoiding unpleasant COLI
sions, you may very readily get Knocked
down by passing vehicle. You will notice
that the drivers Of these conveyances keep
to the left instead of the right, as in our
country You will also notice that the
rush of traffic through the streets is
sustained chiefly by cabs and omnibuses.
While some OF the former dash along at a
TRANS, others go empty at snaips pace close
to the edge OF the footWay. These are crawl
ers" on the lookout for fares. Stand still
for moment, with face toward the street.
and the driver of the nearest will touch his
hat and rein up thinking you desire to en-
gage him. And if you are anxious to get to
any place quickly, don't hesitate to do so,
for cab riding is both pleasant and cheap
cheap even Notwithstanding the extortions
cabby may practice upon you as penalty
for being an American. Presiding at the
annual dinner of the Cab-drlVerS Benevolent
Association, not long ago, Lord Wolseley
stated that there were in London Is, 600 cab
men, representing with their families, a
population of 10000 He also declared that
The number of articles left in cabs last year
and restored, was 9000 showing the drivers
of these vehicles to be not only numerous
but a tolerably honest class of citizens. If
you are little short" or are specially de-
sirous OF getting a view OF Me thoroughfares
from an elevated point of Observation, give
THE cabs the go-by and get on the top of
fbus. No danger of being crowded, for $50
many inside and so many outside is the law
that regulates these London buses, and woe
betide the conductor who takes up an extra
passenger. Observe, too, how anxious are
( both conductors and drivers to have you pat
ronize them. Those who have SO often shout
: e-N-hemselves hoarse in trying to attract
the alton of a street-car conductor,
and have themselves out of breath to
get to corner, only to find the convey
ance vauIg into the dim distance, with
. the gentlln who presdes over its progress
still too iii absorbed in cycling the pretty
gI.4s " s,'4yto notice the common trash be.
4 hind, who are painting for the privilege OF
being under his distinguished care for little
while-suoh as these, of whom the writer is
) one, can appreciate, to the full, the attentions
lavshed upon pedestrians by those in charge
: OF these London omnibuses. But we must
not rashly ascribe this TO their good breed
ing, for it is really matter OF bread and
butter with them. Failure on their part to
make their vehicle popular would result in
fl,o of