The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-23
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Now, tust q word, more fully explain
ing these classes. The first class are
those who occasionally work, loaf and
those semi-criminal; the second, very
poor, casual laborers, hand d-to-mouth
existence and chronic wanters; the third
include those whose earnings are small
because of iregularity Of employment,
and those whose work, although regu-
lar, is in-paid. The fourth are regu-
larly employed and fairly paid, to GER
tain extent, and include those Of all
grades, while the fifth is above this
level.
The assistant secretary thought these
figures as accurate as he could give me.
They have established thirty-nine
branches in London and vicinity, and
are of great benefit to the poor. Free
quently they purchase such articles as a
mangler (of which / will write later,
donkey and cart, etc., and sell them on
installments to needy persons, thus
keeping hold on the article, provided
the individual did not appreciate 1t, and
again keeging grasping landlord from
snatching it from them for rent. They
also furnish passage money, and so forth,
to deserving emigrants, who might
prosper in another country. This and
kindred institutions are supported by
voluntary subscriptions and contribu-
tions, and are instrumental many times
in preserving life.
After an interesting talk and armed
with letter to the secretary of the
Stepney branch, near Whitechapel,
hied myself home, with the prospect on
the morrow of long and interesting
visit to one OF the many poor districts in
London. and such it proved to be.
Rather than go by the stuffy under
ground railroad i made an early start
on the top of a bus. 1t was long ride.
but barring the support striking one in
the small of the back at intervals of
three or four seconds until leaned for
ward long enough to be threatened with
round shoulders, l had delightful
time.
Parhaps, as weleave Trafalgar Square
by way of the Strand and Fleet street
to Ludgate Circus, shall have no better
opportunity OF explaining to you few
peculiarities, so here gives: First there
are no tram or horse cars here. They
all branch from the outskirts near some
bus line, so that as far as one can see
along the Strand beside the cabs. also
numerous, and few wagons, is stream
Of busses. Each bus conductor is very
anxious you should ride with him, and
there is scarcely street according to
his conversation which his bus does
not travel or bisect. Moral, see what
the sign boards say first, then until you
get better acquainted find out which
way the bus Is going, whether to your
destination or farther from it, and then
jump on. In two days, you will get on
and of, know where each one leaves.
and feel as much at home as in han
som.
The next thing of Importance is the
pavements. On all of the main streets
these are Of wood, and give perfect sat
isfaction. First, in making a street,
there Is laid thick bed Of rough stone
mixed with little cement. over which
concrete of six or eight inches thick is
placed, followed by the bricks or blocks
placed sideways, with cracks fitted with
mixture Of clay and cement, which
soon hardens and the street is ready for
use. just at present they are using an
Australian hard wood block, brought
over as ballast, which is considered A
No. 4, and far superior to those made
at home, which are OF softer wood. COM
pressed and with a coating Of pitch.
Continuing we notice how torturous
and narrow some Of the streets ere. in
fact scarcely wide enough for the
amount Of traffic, and requiring compe.
tent policemen necessarily to prevent a
blockade. The Strand and Fleet street
are really one street, but like similar
thoroughfares In London seem TO be di
vided on purpose TO confuse new corners
frequently travelled streets which
changed their names three or foul
times within two miles. yet rs straight
O. . die.
Let me mention one other thing be
fore proceeding with the people, ant
that IA cxutionary to the traveller
Never walk along q street parallel Il
the one you desire to reach i'm the futil,
attempt - ave few steps, for thes,