The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-25

Is, 1891. ~
no systematic lighting Of them can be said 10
have taken place until George Ill had been
seated on the throne nearly q decade. It was
Justly remarked BY contemporary observer
that London was worse lighted than any other
great city. The light, such as It was. was de-
rived mainly from several thousands Of small
tin vessels which were filled with whale oil Of
the worst quality that could possibly be pro-
cured. supplied with bits OF cotton twist for
wick and enclosed In globes OF semi-opaque
glass Such lamps were either stuck upon
posts placed at long intervals In the Strand.
Cheapside. Pail Mall. and other important
thoroughfares. or else they were suspended
from iron rods which jutted out horizontally
from the sides Of shops and private dwellings.
At best they served only to shed faint
glimmer Of light, or rather to mako the
darkness visible at street corners and
crossings from shutdown to midnight when
they were invariably extinguished II they had
not In the mean time rendered tho duty super
nuous BY extlnguishing themselves. For the
purpose Of trimming. snufang. cleansing, and
lighting the lamps, each wardmote enlisted
the services Of lot OF greasy clodhopping fell
lows. specimens Of whom may be seen In Ho.
earth's series Of paintings depicting the Rake's
Progress. A characteristic habit OF these
lamplighters was to spill the oil upon the heads
Of those who passed them while they stood
upon their ladders. and to occasionally break
the head OF wayfarer BY dropping globe
Though the lamps were usually lighted soon
after dark. they were, owing to their being un-
provided with renectors. utterly insufficient to
dispelthe gloom in which London was shrouded
during tho winter months Tho consequence
was that throughout the larger part Of the
twenty -four hours life and property we're left to
tho uncontrolled dominion Of robbers and MUIR
derers When tho moon declined to shed her
light. the inhabitants Of the outlying districts
OF the metropolis stood In the shadow Of dark
ness from Lady Day to Michaelmas: those.
therefore. who either from choice or necessity
went out after dark generally engaged torch
bearers. linkmen or linkboys. to light them
on their way. The services. however. OF such
attendants were not resorted to without hest.
tation and considerable risk. for moro ofton
than not these servants Of the public were
hand and glove with footpads and highway
men. and. on receiving signal from their 40
completes. would extinguish their links and
slip away. leaving their employer at the mercy
OF his assailants.
From It's western extremity at HYDE Park
corner to It's eastern limit at Whtechapel.
London was guarded by no organized police or
patrol The sole protectors OF life and prop
erty during the night season were sundry SOM
nolent old watchmen. who were despatched on
their beats at intervals from the watchhouses.
or temporary iails. built In q cylindrical form
q modern martello tower. These
officials were selected from tho dregs OF the
people, and their primary qualifications seem
to have been advanced age and total inca
pacity. Apparelled In heavy greatcoats and
armed with poles, rattles. and lanterns. the
watchmen perambulated the streets crying
the hour after the chimes. taking precautions
for the prevention Of fire. proclaiming In tones
the reverse of melodious the advent Of foul or
fair weather. and awak ening at day break those
who intended to set out on journey At in
tervals the drowsy citizen would be snatched
from the embrace OF sleep BY some such cry as
' Pa-a-st eleven o'clock and a ra-s-iny night"
Or "Pa-a-st one o'clock and q sho-o-wery
Then would come a lull to be
broken presently by cries for help" and
I" mercy" followed by the springing Of rattles.
telling the afirighted listener that not many
yards from his house door was being waged |
lerocious conflict between the aged guardians !!
81 the night and some desperate gang Of street |
thieves or mischief-loving bricks" and
= bloods." Occasionally It would happen that |
one OF these decrepit functionartes would be |
caught mapping in his box at dawn |
by a company Of fine gentlemen re-
turning from . protrscted orgy flown |
With insolence and wine" One Of the |
number would instantly suggest tho over
urning Of the box. and the resolution being
adopted some choice spirit would |
push heavily against the watch house and up
set 1t. Having accomplished this exploit the
gang would take to their heels leaving the I'M
ucky tenant OF the box to scramble out OF It
Is he could At other times Waterman would
tied cry of Watch! W-a-a-tch!" and 60 wan
lerng up hill and down dale only to discover
It the end OF his perambulation that he was the
'ictim Of hoax. Small indeed was the pro-
cotton afforded by the wntchmen at the best
II times. but 1t was reduced to q minimum in
he long, dark nights Of winter. Then one
u two things happened. They became
he butts OF the fine gentlemen who were
lever 80 completely in their element as
vhen teasing and beating them. or else in
hree cases out Of four they became the plant
Instruments OF the light-hngered fraternity
nd suffered robberies to be committed before
heir eyes with lmpunity. What was said Of
he London watchmen in the first quarter Of
he present century. before Sir Robert Peel
rought out his scheme for the formation OF an
|
Jortiori applicable to the period depicted In
hose volumes. namely. that no human being
ad the slightest confidence In them: that
instances OF collision. TRICKS and knaveries
I all kinds In which they had taken part
'ere brought to light every day: that mono
the magistrates put the least faith In
heir statements unless they were supported
y the evidence Of other people: that the feel
,g against them was strong exactly In pro-
otion to the opportunities OF learning their
oal character and habits: and. finally. that
leir existence was o nuisance and . curse.
III.
But It may BE- asked. If people could not safe
walk in London streets. why did they not
der The question reminds ono OF tho French
dy OF quality who. being told that the people
Paris were furnishing for bread. inquired
ny they did not eat cake. We have already
o.. 4 AL = - Al /