The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-09

could scarcely have seen the sky so closely
did the overhanging stories approach 70
the roofs thereof But there are no DWELL
tngs in Cheapsde now, nCr in the adjacent
tributaries The buildings are all for busi-
ness purposes only: the old vogue or over
hang has been long dispensed with and q
sprightly modern air is worn by the COM
mercial architecture.
one kind of commodity Cheapside has in
more abundance than any. other place on
the whirling foostool-jewelry. II may not
be the most sumptuous Of jewelry that was
ever made; IL may not compare with the
golden. flagree work OF Zamara. but IL is
Jewelry nevertheless. and OF a good sort
for the moderate classes. And there Is 50
much Of il that IL overfiows the contracted
emporiums and flows in cascades and Nj
agaras Of watch chains. necklaces. fantastic
guards. behind the plate-glass windows. IL
seems 10 be a trick OF Cheaps1de's shops
to display all their treasures TO the pre-
occupied eyes Of those who here march in
legions along the pavement. They pour
their wares into their windows with
reckless profuslOn suggestive Of the Orient
that Is 10 say. the Orient YOU read about
not the Orient which actually exists. Cheap
side should enchant those Western gentle
men who believe that silver is 20 be the
saviour of nations. For the iewelry OF
Cheapside is mainly silver iewelry. and
the radiance OF the windows is the white
radiance which furnishes with such hap
less result in the London fog.
They had a pleasant way, five or six
centuries ago. OF observing public festiv-
tiles 10y opening wine in TIE streets. When
a son was born To King Edward III wine
ran in Cheapside. and there was nothing
else to drink. Tuns Of IL were distributed.
and all the passers-by were hailed TO come
and help themselves. Those cheerful prac-
tees could not be attempted I'm these pro-
sale times Is IL that our human nature
has progressed so far that IL cannot safely
indulge itself in this style OF holiday? II
you opened a tun of wine in Cheapside
nowadays you would have to call the mill
itary within half an hour after removing
the hung.
Cheapside is best seen between and 10
in hA ,frcr = ov,H f,, ~
afternoon, either when everybody is COM
ing TO or going from his occupation. But
all day long the street is crowded from
end to end, so crowded that YOU cannot
anywhere cross il in safety, except at the
points WHARF ConstableS are stationed to
regulate the traffic
One of the odd features of Chaapside is
the line of pedestrians who stand in either
gutter, stringing along the curSs and vend-
ing catch-penny toys. These merchants are
an amusing lot IN their way. Their ha-
rangueS are endless and not wholly lacking
in wit, although their Language is not alto
gether parliamentary. They sell the most
wonderful assortment of ingenious TOYS
that you can imagine and every week or
two they produce some new thing. Variety
is the spice of their trade. The wonderful
toys that can be bought of them for a
penny allure all kinds OF people who 60
cityward. L know Inen the Stock Ex-
change who make it a point To buy every
new penny toy that appears on Chenpside.
Their collections have already the appear
ance of a lesser South Kensington Museum
or a glorified Lower Arcade. The penny
toy vendors may not pause in their Vend-
ing. The watchful bobby keeps them on
the move; a necessary precaution in this
thick stream of traffic. One should SEQ
these penny toy iren. Until he sees them
he has not seen Cheapside; and until he
has seen Cheapside he has not seen Lon
don. Besides, the penny toys are the only
cheap things in CheaDSi1Q.