The Washington critic., 1888-01-21
THE "CRITIC" ABROAD.
Notable Street Scenes in the British
Metropolis,
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS.
Among the Dead, ana Some OF
Their Curious Epitaphs.


frosty weather. SO thiclSly did the
hoar frost lie on roofs Of houses, grass
trees, roads, shrubs and evergreens,
that the general impression was that
snow had fallen during the night. The
sun shone through gray mist and
looked like great orange in the sky.
Nothing could be more welcome than
this life-giving sun, when he pays his
transient visits to this great metropo-
lis. Americans do not half appreciate
their blue skies and sunny days. Let
them experience q winter in London,
with its fogs and mists, and they will
sigh for the delightful climate of
Washington. The buses and cabs
were crowded on New Years day
with those wishing to commence 1888
by attendance at places of worship.
Many of these had waited for the en-
trance of the new year in their re-
spective churches, as midnight meet
ings were generally held, and were
now hurrying to join in the first SER
vice of the new year, Many were
wrapped in heavy garments, with
clouds over their bonnets, and seemed
unaccustomed to the piercing wind
and wintry weather. The buses have
no doors, and when sharp day comes
one much prefers the closed hansoms,
which are the most convenient ve-
hicles after all.
Countless young men and maid
ems, with skates in hand, walked
briskly to the parks, where lovers of
skating INDUCED in their favorite
pastime. All the ornamental waters
were thronged. There were many
immersions during the day. The
Round Pond in Kensington Gardens
was literally black with people, there
being 10000 skaters enjoying the
pleasure of continued spins on the
CLASSY surface. In Regents Park
1000 were on the surface Of the pond,
and quite number had the misfor-
tune to know something of the tenn
perature of the waters beneath the
covering of ice.
In every street of the city the
crossing-sweeper stood ready to wish
you "Happy New Year. as you
dropped copper in his hand. A
walk down the Strand would
bring many blessings on the
head of the pedestrian, should
one remember half of the shiver-
ing, hungry mortals at the
crossings 1t is sad to learn that, in
many instances, the poverty is
| feigned.
A HARDENED SINNER.
There is an old man who sweeps q
crossing near the Great Portland Sta
| ton. His broom has scarcely straw,
and many have handed him a shilling
to procure a new one, only to find
him next day leaning on the handle
Of his worn-out companion, as he tips
| his hat to the passers-by. When
ashed why he did not buy new
| broom with the money given for that
purpose, he replied that he had an
idiotic daughter, and il took his every
| copper to provide for her wants. This
child was an imagination of the brain
| of this hardened sinner. Though
ragged and forlorn IN appearance, it
is known that he carries sums of gold
and lends at high interest to the less
| fortunate crossing-sweepers. One
| day recently number of men de-
| termined they would find the gold Sc
creted on his person. They assaulted
him on his way to the crossing, and,
after thorough search, found only
two pence-half-penny. They left
him in disgust, only to hear few
| hours later that he had loaned nine
sovereigns of the gold, he knew so
| well how to conceal, whilst following
his daily avocation.
CHILDREN HIRED BY TRAMPs.
A letter has Just been sent to the
Prime Minister in behalf of children
who are used by tramps to excite sym
pathy. 1t is common sight to see
whole family singing through the
streets, the children scarce old enough
to walk, being dragged through the
mud by their heartless parents. Often
one sees child standing motionless,
with almost bare feet, as pale as death,
and shivering with the cold, whilst
the supposed father or mother groans
tune. Many of these unfortunate
little ones are hired by tramps. The
more inclement the weather the
more children are to be seen, the beg
! gar knowing full well that extreme
misery increases the alms-giving. No
such custom would be tolerated in our
| American cities, and it is surprising
| that thousands of these waits are per-
mitted to suffer tortures in this way.
Certainly it is to be hoped that the
| letter to Lord Salisbury will prove of
benefit to these forlorn little ones, who
make your heart ache as you pass
| through the thoroughfares of the
| largest city in the world.
QUIET SUNDAYS.
No one could spend a Sunday in
London without being impressed with
the quiet and order prevailing on that
day. There are few shops open, here
and there a fruit stand or tobacco
store. Recently letter has been pre-
sented to the Queen, signed by more
than n million of the women of the
realm, in favor Of closing the public
houses on Sunday.
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS.
AS the majority of people have
more or less to do with dollars and
cents, or pounds and shillings, per-
haps it may be interesting to your
readers to learn from one who has
just made n six months trip through
England, Wales and a portion of
Ireland, the way the American can
travel on a small income and live
most comfortably. My first advice to
one who wishes to make a tour III
Europe on q moderate amount is to
avoid hotels, particularly those boast
ing American patronage, This is
| commonly advised but strangers
know little of the ways of this coun-
try, and unless they have had some
experience, naturally think when