Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-06-19
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE
"PRAISE THE LORD"
IO2 sHAcKIEwELLLAN

102 SHAcKIEwELL LANE, I
DAIsToS, LONDON, Il. May 25, 'S3 J
Dear Interior;
Yesterday was "our baby's" birth.
day and she emerged into young ladyhood
without accident or catastrophe. We all
gave ourselves up to the Joy Of making her
happy and had a most delightful day Of it,
We had promised her a carriage ride on
Rotten Row, but on holding a family
council, we unanimously concluded il
would damage the work to be found
playing the swell" in that way and gave
it up with alacrity. As the day was balmy
and inviting we then decided on a river
trip.
From Dalston Junction on the North
London Railway, whence we take our de-
parture TO go in all directions, we booked
for Blackwell, where the famous East and
West India docks lie; Is minutes run and
we were there. We had a good look at
these wondrous basins, where the COM
merce OF the world lies moored and hauser.
ed. The mOd'ls operaadi is simplicity itself
Hundreds Of acres of basins separated by
massive walls with suitable openings and
convenient draw. bridges to let vessels ihro'
and all connected with the Thames by sun
dry mouths at regular intervals along the
river bank, When the tide il high, the
whole series are flooded with water, which
OF course stands inside the docks at the
same level az high-tide outside. This IL
the time and the only time that ships can
get in. When they are inside the mouths
are closed aud the water may fall as much
as it likes in the river; the basins are full
and chips all aaoat in deep water inside.
OF course they can only 20 ont at high tide.
These docks are surrounded by great ware
houses and these again by rail, cart aud
van connected with the great city pouring
its ceaseless tide Of products down to the
docks, or taking away the ceaseless incom
ing produce Of foreign parts--loa ding up to
20 out, or unloading what has come in
this all goes on with splendid system and
very little friction day and night. We
found when We went down the river that
immense docks are being built "a miles
further down TO supplement the insufficient
accommodations Of the prodigious struc-
lures already in use. Remember London
grows at the tate Of $1,000 souls increase
yearly now, and this of course represents
enlargement in every possible department.
No one knows whereunto all this will grow.
A city Of 100000 is already beyond all
imaginative power TO grasp it. Its great.
ness eludes the touch, as thoughts Of the |
distance Of the dxed stars slip away from
us In blankness and paralysis OF brain. |
There is but one city ON earth par e1eel.
ienee and that is London. Strange, old.
homely London-bult up Of yellow brown
bricks, mile after mile; nothing regular;
all quadrangular and triangular and re.
entrant Irregularities beggaring description
and defying reproduction elsewhere ON the
earth. Nothing seems laid out befors hand;
but, as II the eity's growth ever came upon
its builders with a wild surprise, 70
that they struck out vaguely and indeG-
nitely, running anywhere to get out Of liz
way, yet always running in irregular panic,
scattering N. +. s. w. in lanes and alleys
and crescenis, courts, &c, just as the fathers
fed hPaee in the olden time from the rap
id growth Of their days. doing as hest they
could, only 10 get out OF its mighty way as
Il marched on fulfilling ia grand destiny.
The only way TO get about in il is to Crap
pie the problem in main strength and
awkwardness' and 10 on getting lost and
fading yourself again, until by repeated
experiences you get ahead Of il. A street
hat starts as Cornhill; runs a little ways
'nd becomes Chsapsidei then in a'little