The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 298: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT; 283 ty eT Rie bes oh a REE ES sixteen boys and girls, of the same gradation of what with being trodden down and therefore made ages and of the same stamp and description as those to encroach even upon that limited space, and what previously seen, Some few Were stretched upon the with the coverlids spreading over or tossing about, mass of putrid rags, sleeping soundly despite the being kicked off in consequence of the heat, the noise made by the others who were awake. These floor of every room appeared to be completely latter were romping and frolicking at the moment covered with this wretched bedding. Whole fami- when the visitors entered: but they left off to stare lies—consisting for instance of father, mother, and at “the swell coves,” and then to chaff the police- two or three children—occupied one bed: grown up man, Thus was it that persons of both sexes were brothers and sisters slept together: fathers and accustomed to herd and huddle together in that vile | dauchters, mothers and sons—all adults—were simi- den, each paying twopence a night for the accom- larly situated. But we can proceed no farther: modation. | the picture is too hideous to be dwelt upon. Those A couple of minutes’ survey of the disgusting of our readers, however, who have never visited scene was quite sufficient for Staunton and Saxon- such frightful dens, may rest assured that none of dale. They experienced a horrible sickness at the their details are here exaggerated. Indeed, it would stomach ; and their very clothes appeared to creep be impossible to find any terms sufficiently hyper- upon them, as if alive with vermin. Biddy Bur- bolic to transcend the stern reality of the abhor- ley offered to show them the rest of the house: rent truths. . but they were quite satisfied with what they had| Lord Harold Staunton and Lord Saxondale libe- already seen; and Staunton having given her a rally rewarded the policeman for having accom- guinea on his own account for her trouble, the panied them in these visits: and they made the best visitors lost no time in issuing from the den. | of their way, the one to Jermyn Street, the other to “Widder Burley and her daughters,” said the) Park Lane, to put off the raiment which they had constable, as they proceeded along the street, ‘‘ drives _on, and which appeared to cause the most unplea- @ roaring trade with them boys and gals. Why, sant sensations. We need scarcély add that these would you believe it, my lords, she’s got at least clothes were never worn again, but were given to seventy or eighty of ’em in that house of only six their valets to be got rid of according as they might rooms! The whole place swarms with thieves as plen- | think fit. tiful as vermin: and it’s supported too by thieving. | In our former works especially devoted to the de- There isn’t a morsel of food or a drop of drink that | scription of the mysteries of London life, we have goes into that place, that’s bought with honest introduced our readers to low dens of the same de- money. Perhaps your lordships think that it’s the | scription as these of which we have now been writ- only place of the sort? Well, I can tell you there’s ing: but we do not consider that we are to be hundreds of such cribs in London: and that isn’t , blamed on the score of repetition or supererogation. even the worst. Down in Whitechapel and over in | We purposely and with studied intent recall public the Mint, there’s worse still. But now, if your! attention again and again to the horrible abodes lordships like, I will take you into a lodging-house | which poverty is compelled to seek, where vice lurks, for grown-up people—tramps, thieves, beggars, and and where crime conceals itself. For we boldly.and what not.” . unhesitatingly charge to the account of our legisla- Lord Saxondale at first positively refused the tors and rulers the existence of those sinks of abo- eonstable’s proposal: but Lord Harold, feeling some ' mination. curiosity on the subject, accepted it, and succeeded in over-ruling his companion’s scruples. They did ak accordingly visit a low lodging-house in the same neighbourhood : but we need not follow them CHAPTER EI: throughout their investigation. A few particulars ELIZABETH AND FRANK. will suffice. The house was a large one, in the occupation of a ruffian-looking fellow, who had to WE must now return to Lady Bess’s pretty little pay a very high rent to the principal landlord; and | cottage in the neighbourhood of Edmonton; and if in order to do this, he had to make the most of the | we peep into the elegantly furnished parlour, one premises. The original landlord had a dozen such morning after breakfast, we shall behold the ama- houses, and rolled in his carriage. His tenants zonian heroine and her brother Francis Paton seated being so highly rented, could not afford, even if together upon the sofa. Four or five days had they felt inclined, to expend any money upon the elapsed since the youth received the terrible confir- improvement of the houses: consequently it was mation of Lady Saxondale’s averment that his sister not altogether their fault if those dens were of the was a femalehighwayman. That during these few most loathsome and unwholesome description—with days Frank had been very ill, and had suffered much, no drainage—no ventilation—and wretchedly sup- mentally and bodily, a glance at his pale counte- plied with water, which was also unfit to drink. nance would show. The colour had completely left But let us look inside the particular house which his cheeks: he seemed drooping and languid, as if the two noblemen visited on the night in question. physical exertion were attended by pain; and it al- In every room the lodgers were crowded together. most appeared as if the unfortunate young man ex- There was a sort of attempt at a distinction of beds, perienced a thorough lassitude of life. but there were no bedsteads—merely a number of His sister, apparelled in the garb befitting her » dirty straw mattrasses stretched upon the floor, each sex, also looked mournful: but with one arm thrown provided with one coarse horse-cloth coverlid. These round her brother’s neck, and one hand clasped in were filthy to a degree, and swarming with vermin. his own, she was doing her best to console and cheer The beds—if they deserved the denomination—had him. jut an interval of about a foot between them; and * Dearest Frank,” she said, “it cuts me to the es eee ee ee —— _—— — -— : = — —_—— —— ee |. ere ee ———_— - —y ECOMmiclboooks (CO)