Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-11-25
LIFE TN BIG LONDON
SOME oFTHe THINGS AMERICAN WIS.,
IToRs SOON LEARN.
FREQUENT BlowinE- OF Cab whistles
Puaslsng at First - No Bootblacls
Stands In British Capitar-women
Cannot Clean Windows.

Americans sojourning in London arc
often puzzled In their first few hours
there to account for the frequent blow.
ing Of mouth whistles in their vicinity,
resembling the blasts of sound with
which the New York postnan accom-
panies the delivery OF mail. A Yankee
who arrived in the British metropolis
one summer night greatly fatigucd by
his journey retired early at his lodg-
in2s. but was kept awake until mid
night by the uuuccuStOmed and con-
tinuous blowing Of whistles, which sug-
2cstcd 10 his drowsy brain that letter
curriers' were culling every few min
utes Mt the adjoining houses.
At breakfast the next morning he re
marked that lie had often heard OF Lon
don's frequent mail deliveries. but he
had never supposed there were so many
Of them rs he had heard the previous
evening.
"ltcard:' inquired his scat mate.
Yes: didn't you hear the postmcn
blowing hcl, whistles every few min
utes until after mduight;''
The English are too polite to laugh
i'll ouc's face. but a suppressed smoker
went around the table breaking into
audible laughter us another New. York
or. who had been IN London twenty
four hours longer than the new arrival,
explained gllbly:
why. those were cab calls YOU
heard. Every London house has a cab
whistle. One blast brings II hanson,
two four wheeler
Cabs nrc essential to London, where
antiQuated stages are the only means
OF going in many directions, and they
serve rs express wagons as we'll rs
convoyances. Few persons send their
baggage (.luggage," it is called over
there) In advance to railway sutton or
steamer pier. A cab is called ut the
last moment. and the cabman puts
trunk or valise OH the roof of his vehi-
Gle. If ones parcels are numerous a
fou: wheeler or omnibus is employed.
On arriving with luggage the same
method is used TO carry it to ones
home or lodgings.
AS the baggage covered hanson
bowls along two or three ragged and
dirty men or boys may be seen running
beside ii. If any distance Is to be trav-
ersed, il will be noticed that some of
these drop behind one after the other,
while others take their places. They
are runners" usually men on their
"uppers," who earn an occasional shil-
ling by following cabs to their destina-
lions and carrying the luggage upstairs
for the arriving passengers
1t would not occur to the average
Englisllman to seek booablack out.
side his own home for his morning
shine" Shoes are generally polished
in the house 10y the maids,,rvant. il
one lacks valet or footman, and the
bootblacli stand is conspicuously NIB
sent from the British capital. Boot.
blacks. often aged men. belring tho
label Licensed Messenger" on their
coat sleeve. have foot boxes Mt the
chief intersections of the principal
thoroughfarcs and ply their trade For
the benefit OF transients and foreign.
ei's. They are seldom patronized by the
London householder
One of tho first inquiries made by
Americans who settle in London Is for
4 Avasherwoman., But it is soon found
Tint this useful person is not TO be
had. Very little washing Is done at
home OF taken out by washeswomen
in London. ali the soiied linen being
sent TO laundry. The. result is that
Americans. accustomed to the weekly
visit OF the family wnshcrwoman at
home. find their laundry bills not a
small item Of expense on the OTHER side
OF the ocean.
\ surprise is in store for lie new
householder in London who asks the
maidseryant TO clean the windows.
Indeed, ma'am, I'd be arrested IL /
did" explains the girl as she refuses
the task. And, sure enough it is learn
cd that owing to accidents to women
cleaning windows from the outside the
authorities have ordained that women
must not risk life or limb at window
cleaning. The penalty for disobeylng
The regulation is fine of 81. SO mon
employed rs porters in furniture stores
and similar shops earn many odd six
pences and shillings by spending their
weekly half holidays rs window clean.
ers to househol1ers lacking men serv.
ants.
Most OF the small London shopl1eep-
crs and their assistants take half hol-
iday on Thursday instead OF Saturday,
as in New York. the butchers closing
up Tuesday afternoons. This practice
causes Inconvenience to newcomers un-
til guarded against by early purchases.
New York Tribune.
4 Sick1y Diary.
Look here. old chap. I'll give you a