The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A A -- — —_ — es oe ee docks and the river, Coalwhippers, labourers, and arti- sans of various grades, have here taken up their abode, but the air of penury and pauperism presented by the confined courts and narrow alleys that branch from the main thoroughfares will show how scanty must be the remuneration that affords no better description of dwelling. ‘The miscellaneous character of the popu- lation is increased by the mingling of these hard- working people with others who derive their subsist- ence from a less honourable and more fluctuating source. In the cheap lodging-houses that abound about this quarter will be met with most of the va- grants and tramps that infest the eastern suburbs after nightfall; and here also dwell the very lowest class of women, who, belonging to @ race hardly recognised in polite phraseology by name, prey upon the purse of the unwary sailor, and who frequently, on thé first night of his long looked-for return to England, con- trive, by hocussing or ‘barefaced robbery, to possess themselves of the earnings he has been so long and so laboriously strivirg to acquire. Groups of pallid children, scantily clad, and with’ their features scarred by some unsightly eruption, are to bé seen playing all day long in the centre of the'foad, and wallowing in the mire of the kennel; but the merry ring of laughter heard from childhood under better auSpices’ is mever audible among them, and their hilarity has a cold and cheerlees depression with it which makes it dismal to contemplate. They ‘seem to”have already a’¢on- } sciousness of coming! cate, and the privation# they | daily undergo exhibit’ a marked effect tpow their spirits, pressing héavily upon the enjoymetit even of | the trifling pastimes of the young, and making’ them grow up premature old men and women, haggard and grey before their time +... “srs : Over the door of’ small shop in 4 little dreary street in this neighbotirhdod might have bé@n' noticed the name of “ Jacob Randall,” who, from the cages hang all about the windows and the door-way, appeared. to follow the’ ostensible pursuit of a bird- fancier, and who now, lounging on the ‘threshold mending a trap-cage, that had suffered the demolition of a few wires, afforded a passer-by a very favourable opportunity for studying his singularly broad and massive proportions. Beyond the ordinary size, his figure was character- ised by a muscular development that, besides attract- ing the eye by its rude symmetry, gave the observer some idea of the enormous strength of its possessor, iis features, round and prominent in form, were im- boed with a sinister cast of expression that seemed the more remarkable from its variance with the gentle avocation he pursued; and his attire, consisting of a rougl fustian jacket, stout corduroy trousers, fur cap, and-boots thickly encrusted with clay from his last nocturnal expedition into the country, imparted to his appearance rather the outward guise of a settler in the back woods of America than a denizen of the metropolis. The interior of the shop was filled with cages of every description, each retaining in imprisonment some favourite songster of the field and grove, The lark, linnet, goldfinch, chaffinch, bullfinch, and the rest ef our woodland melodists, had each their representative in the confived space allotted to them; and amidst the pyramid of cages where the sleek blackbird, the dappled thrush, and the golden canary, were pouring forth the strains of their native minstrelsy, a macaw, screaming with delight in the pride of its finer plumaz parrots, and a motley collection of other saleable foreign birds, were plentifully distributed. Behind the —_ oa +.) get \ a _ a — EE a ED ee A THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, ——— LT shop was a small back parlour, poorly but neatly furnished, with a few ornaments scattered round the room, that manifestly revealed the care and intelli- gence of a presiding female hand. Such, indeed, there was; for the only occupant of that house, besides the bird-fancier himself, was his daughter, a girl of eighteen, who, in person and manner, presented a marked distinction from her parent. Mary Randall was just at that eventful period of life when the charms of womanhood are on the eve of swelling forth into their full proportions, Her face, pretty and inte- resting, was shaded with masses of light brown hair, that swept in tresses of graceful negligence over her neck and shoulders; and her form, exquisitely sym- metrical, was so well displayed by the plain and unpretending dress she wore, that but little envy might have been created in her bosom at the sight of courtly damsels decked in all the pomp and pageantry of the newest fashions. Gentle and patient in her disposition, and with a heart capable of experiencing the most ardent and enduring affection, the sweet tones of her voice sounded in that dull and gloomy apartment like the warbling of a bird who greets the first warm rain of spring whilst hidden in its leafy home, amid the balmy buds and bursting branches, To her vigilant attention and uiremitting care did the feathered captives owe the’comforts they enjoyed. For some time Randall continued standing at the door, pursing his occupation with thé*vacant air of one whese hands are meéchahically employed whilst his thoughts are far away from the seéne of their employment, when, turning to his Ganghter, who was in the back room, quietly engaged in Wes@lework, and possibly her own meditations, he bade her hastily pre- pare some food for his repast, and gét his other coat in readiness, ° ft ix et ie whee “‘ Away so soon, father!” cried the young gi some surprise at a determination 80 ‘sudden well knew what this request foreboded ; “shal have you again at home for two days together? I feel so wretched ‘and so lonely in this distal place “Psha! girl,” returned Randall abruptly; “I have pressing business on my hands now that will not suffer me to keep within. There is money to be earned, girl; gold—bright gold—my child, think of hage’ ot? oe — ene ols Little else, dear father, have you thought of lately,” continued his daughter, actively making the few preparations ‘that were requisite;'“ your hopes seem now bent upon acquiring money by other nieans than the business, which f atin sure yields enough’ for both our humble wants.” © © bow “Tush! Mary; you shall know all in good time. I shall but stop to take a‘snack before I go, and then I must away to the waterside, where I have promised to meet some of the crew belonging to the Agamem- non, that has just arrived in port; andperhaps, be- sides a rare bird or two, I may find something of valae from a foreign country for yourself.” Mary Randall fixed her eyes: intently upon the countenance of her father, read dissimulation in the glance, looked down, and remained silent. Jacob, too intent upon the substantial fare his daughter had provided to heed the scrutiny with which she had watched his features, was apparently content with the effect of his communication, and said no more until he had concluded his repast, He then raised his eyes, and saw his daughter in tears. © fae ~ “Come, come, Poll, none of this,” exclaimed Ran- dall, resuming his former fare ¢¢¥\ol oYeYe) ;é= Tero) ~~ — LE — —_— —-