The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-30
Mr.. LANSINC'S LETTER.
London, Its Sights, the Pay Of
Policemen and firemen.
IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
The show Place of tho worid-The Crystal
Palace. with its Queer Audiences
Policemen at s5.se to % Week.
Ffremsn mt $40

British Museum is something that no
traveller in London should miss. Going
to the centre of the town, by that l
mean Trafalgar square, we soon are on
another bus, and on our way, by the
Tottenham Court road, to that wonder
OF all wonders, yet best known, inde-
scribable in detail, yet as easy of access
and with every facility for getting about
the British Museum. l probably Wis
tied it three or four times, yet haven't
begun to see a quarter OF what is there
contained. Little wonder, then, call
II indescribable.
"A good idea may be obtained by NAM
inr the sections. They are as follows:
Printed books (maps and plans), manu-
scripts, prints and drawings, Oriental
antiquities, British ana medieval an
tiuuities and typography, Greek and
Roman antiquities, coins and medals.
The sections of mineIalogy, botany. ge-
ology and zoology have been removed
IN South Kensington. There is just one
thing to be said regarding the museum,
and I think gives a graphic idea of it all.
When entered the entrance hall each
time / felt like young boy. When 1
was ready to retire found / had become
old by many years. The constant asso-
ciation with such old, rare and interest
ing specimens of the artisans skill cen.
turies ago carried me back until l
almost saw the ancient countries, with
every detail, and not until the gentle
man at the door kindly asked if didn't
want my umbrella again could arouse
myself from that peculiar lethargy.
In the centre is a very fine library
IA Il g. xxvsI y, hat Nf
st. Peters at Rome. 1t is furnished
with modern improvements, electric
lights and in fact everything for the
welfare and comfort of the students
Perhaps some opportunity will present
itself again when can more clearly ex-
plain the Museum and its curiosities.
A trip to the Crystal Palace comes
next. Leaving Victoria station about 4
o'clock In the afternoon for Sydenhan
enables us to obtain a glimpse OF the
CRYSTAL Palace, and view the fireworks
in the evening. The Crystal Palace is
built entirely of glass and iron, and
surrounded by other equally beau
tiful summer houses, band stands, green
lawns, lakes, gardens and vari-colored
lights, gives an impression of fairy
domicile on very large scale. The |
palace was opened to the public in 1854.
Ascending the stairs before dark we
may see general exhibition Of some Of |
the many trades Of London. The GEN.
trail hall, running nearly the length Of
the building is 1,606 feet long.
On either side, and in numberless
smaller aisles are these representations
Of the manufacturers art, and in many
cases are very interesting. Near the
centre is the large hall, which is 800 by
40 and 175 feet high. The main cor
2idW passes through the center, on one |
side being the stage with reserved seats,
while on the other are the free seats tier
upon tier like huge amphitheatre, and
crowned with an immense organ. Here
pantomime and ballet is given twice
each day.
must also add that In conjunction
with the exhibit throughout the build
ing, are immense plaster of paris
statues and ripping fountains giving
pleasant and cooling appearance to all.
lnnumerable toy, confectionery and
fancy goods booths abound, and become
an especial object of interest to the
children.
Leaving the palace by one Of the
many doors, we step almost immediate
ly into the gardens covering an area of
200 acres, and laid out in terrace, filled
with shrubbery, flower gardens, statu-
airy and fountains. When the large
fountains are playing, which is seldom,
they throw 120, 900 gallons of water per
minute. Fl8
But might continue for some time
and yet give but an idea of this fsmous
~'ace. Luckily my visit chanced to be
- Thursday evening, when Messrs.
- 3. Buck & Co. give one Of their pyro- |
technic displays, thus affording stiil an |
other opportunity of viewing in holiday |
attire the working people of London.
Tho display was good, but the people |
better, at least to me. Old and young.
large and small, hundreds of children,
babies in arms, whole families out for a
holiday, fitting lovers here and there,
the young men with silk hat and cigar
cite, and the old man with shiny coat.
but irrepressible nosegay, all mingling
together, some 20, 900 or more, at least
nine-tenths of whom shonld say be-
longed to the middle or lower classes,
yet intent upon extracting every far
thing of their admission fee, of day of
free and unadulterated enjoyment.
Glad was to see il, and how wished
each and every one of those poor miser-
able, half-starved people I had seen the
previous day, might enjoy a similar
pleasure. AFTER the fireworks, fol-
lowed the pantomine, both of which
were wholesome and enjoyable. aud
after rush for the cars, and Jolly re-
turn enlivened by snatches of song, and
story telling we alight, and wend our
way toward home. wish every little
boy and girl at home could see this
pretty playground, which is more easily
explained than written about.
The nav OF policemen in London 10
about 24s. or POS. per week, or 81. 76 to
%. with gradual increase proportionately
to time served. This increase amounts
TO about Is. or "a cents each time.
Rather slow work, isn't it2
Firemen's wages increase in like pro-
portion, with the exception that they
begin In the neighborhood OF 30s. or
t7.20 per week, and from that increase.
The fire department employs all perma-
nent men, there being no system Of call
men. as in our country. i can give