The morning news., 1894-11-02

tair, as II is familiarity called, the true
old-clothes mart, is in dingy passage of
the east side Of Houndsditch and in Cutler
street. Here on Sunday morning the
searcher after novelty may have his long
ing grattfed and may find himself the
richer by a little varied experience.
on entering the precincts sacred to the
sale OF CASTOR clothes, everything is con-
tusion, crOwding and pushing; a Babel Of
sounds greets the ear, and a fermentation
OF unsavOry odors Tivallng the famous
smells Of Cologne salutes the nostrils. All
along the pavement piles of secondhand
clothing are heaped; from the open shop
doors scarlet military coats. remnants OF
theatrical wardrObes and faded ball
dresses hutter in the breeze, while on
stands ranged in front, shoes much run
down at the heel are placed cheek by
1owl with slippers which have seen better
days
When Sunday comes al the brokers are
on hand. from the little man who "isal-
ways at his post for upright trading at
one price and no abatement" to the
itinerant merchant who offers at a sliding
scale of prices silk 'andkerchiefs, and
there quality in EN-" Two circum-
stances impress the visitor The num-
Der of silk handkerchiefs offered for sale
suggesting perennial colds in the head
on the part of the inhabitants of the
district, and the equally startling num-
her of children, greasy and dirty, but
well nourished withal, who seem to form
the substratum of the throng.
Sharp-faced little girls, earring babies
half their own size. stand on the street
corners and keep an admonitory eye on
the other juvenile members of the family
scattered broadcast in the vicinity. Red
headed girls and women whose black
jute wigs proclaim they are out of the
matrimonial market, deal in such light
pnT a nt.N ,II nI,
fruits, nuts and fish of a decided an
cient smell
The tedIum of business is relieved by a
liz tie "Bshopsgate banter between the
traders and the Aries and 'Arriets,
who attend the market to pick up bits
of odd tinery. 1t is queer little market
in one respect for in spite of the noise
and tempting offers no one seems to be
very anxious to sell or greatly disappoint-
ed at having the goods left on hand.
The method of selling is marked by ex-
treme simplicity. Fixing his eye on the
chance toiterer, the broker extracts from
the pile before him a dubious-lookng arti-
Gle of apparel and eXclaims enticingly
somewhat in this fashion: Now 'eres a
fine pair of black DEMONSTRATING them
an advcnterious aspect of freshness by
dexterous strokes of the jurisdictions
and seams all complete, latest Piccadilly
cut. Eight bob for EN- No? Three 'arf a
crowns. These diagonals same as is royal
'ighness wears, for and a tanner Three
bob, then, and I'm giving 'em to you.
Well, 'alf a crown"-with feigned sur
prtse-"Ain't anybody goin' to ave 'em at
'arf a crown? HoWs two bob with pity
ing irony-"Ain't none O you gents got nc
money? one an six, a shillin' with
Withering sarcasm" Ere, Sam, 'ang 'em
hup; these bloomin swells is dead broke. -
Not in the least diS-unCertcd by tho
IaclIness of trade the broker solaces him
self by warbling tunefully Knocked Era
in the Cid Kent Road" as he strolls over
Tor a chat with a brother merchant un-
Ill prospective customer again darIens
the horizon. THIS time 1t is a coat and a
dazzling array of garments varying in
style from a pink hunting Jacket TO regu-
lation fun dress, is duly shown. That the
would-be purchaser may Judge of tho
effect the salesman obligingly tries on
each article, and at the same time sug-
gests that he add to the outfit a suitable
pair of neither garments AS there are CO.
gent reasons against a personal test of the
ft of the latter he assures the customer
that they may be accepted on the strength
of his solemn word of honor. Then be.
gins bargaining and chafferlng until al
last sale is effected at about 100 pei
cent. discount from the first demand,
From Cutler street passing through
Harrow alley, we come to Petticoat
idDe, now MluOIeSeN street. InOuEn now
somewhat better than it's reputation this
street is still one of the most disreput
able parts Of London. Here we find more
| red-headed girls, more widows in black
jute wigs, more handkerchiefs, more old
clothes, more children, more noise The
street is so crowded that one must force
his way through, and the wise visitor
always leaves watch and purse at home
Fouler odors, broader jests, faces more
vicious and more suggestive of Jack the
Ripper are the distinctive characteristics
of Petticoat lane. The street teens with
Jewish humanity, and the windows and
doors of the adjoining houses are lined
with Hebrew visages.
One is glad to get out of the throng, tc
pass through Wentworth street and tC
come out on the broad Commercial street
/ whose construction swept from existence
some of the worst rookeries Of this dis
| trict Here on Commercial street stands
Toynbee Hall, founded to educate citizens
in the knowledge of one another, Il
provide teaching for those willing tC
learn and recreation to those who arc
weary. Adjoining it is st. Jude's church
whose vicar believes in the brotherhood oi
man and practices his belief. Thus IN
almost the darkest spot of dark London
| these two agencies stand, shining lights II
the midst Of human misery and human
| sin.
The church door stands half open, af.
fording a glimpse of Watts fresco, "ThC
| Good Samaritan" the sound of sweet boy
voices singing, Come Ye Who Are
Weary and Heavy Laden" affords a
grateful invitation to rest after the dir
and clamor of the Jew market removed
only by the space Of a few streets.
A Barrier.-"R will you not MARI.