City Scenes Part 6

Is a place of residence for students of the common law, divided into two societies, called the Inner and the Middle Temple, which, with the other law-a.s.sociations, are called Inns of Court. The buildings of the Temple are ample and numerous, with pleasant gardens extending to the sh.o.r.es of the Thames, which prove agreeable retreats to young persons who have been engaged in study.

45. The Knife-grinder.

[Picture: The Knife-grinder]

This man seems to be very busy, and it is but reasonable to suppose that he may meet with many employers amongst the students of the law, and the law-stationers, in and about the Temple: for as they use many pens, a sharp knife must be quite needful for mending them. But I think he does not confine himself to grinding knives only, but when wanting a job, he cries, "Knives to grind! Scissors to grind! Razors to grind!"

Well! who would believe it? why, that is lazy Tom, turned knife-grinder at last!

"Ay, master, and I never was so happy in my life. I thought, like a foolish old fellow, that a beggar's life must at least be an easy one; but at last I found out, that, though I had nothing to do, I often had nothing to eat. So, one day, I thought to myself, thinks I, 'I've a vast mind to bestir myself, and work for my living, for after all this idling, I don't see that I am much of a gentleman for it.' So I bought this grinding barrow, and began business for myself; and now I earn a comfortable living, and am as happy as the day is long:

"And so every body who tries it, will find: I wish you good morning, Sir-Scissors to grind!"

46. The Chair-mender.

[Picture: The Chair-mender]

Old chairs to mend! old chairs to mend!

If I'd as much money as I could spend, I'd leave off crying, old chairs to mend!

Perhaps so, but then you might not be more healthy, useful, or happy, than at present. Exercise and sobriety contribute to health, and industry produces the means of procuring wealth sufficient to live in a comfortable manner. A chair-bottomer is a very useful man: he contributes to the ease and comfort of many of his employers; yet, one cannot help asking, Has every chair which wants a new bottom, been worn out fairly? What! have no little boys, or great girls, been standing up in them? or drawing them up and down the house and yard, to wear out the rushes?

During the war with Holland, rushes for bottoming chairs were very scarce and dear, so that the poor men in that line of business found a great difficulty to obtain materials and employment.

This man, although he appears poor, yet he occupies the highest situation in the city of London, having taken his seat in Panyer Alley, leading from Newgate Street to Paternoster Row; where a stone is placed, in the wall of one of the houses, with the following inscription in old English verse:

WHEN Y HAVE SOVGHT THE CITTY ROVND, YET STILL THS IS THE HIGHST GROVND.

AVGVST THE 27, 1688.

47. The News Boy and Flying Pieman.

[Picture: The News Boy and Flying Pieman]

"Great News! Great News!" "All Hot! Smoking Hot!" These are two busy men, indeed; one cries food for the mind, and the other food for the body. Neither of these tradesmen keep long in one place. The news-boy would be very glad to have a hot plumcake, but he has not time to eat it; nor will the pieman wait to hear what the news is. So that they are not only _busy men_, but what is very different, _men of business_. They are pa.s.sing by _The Obelisk_, in Fleet Street, built by the City of London, on the spot which was once the centre of Fleet Ditch, which flowed as high as Holborn Bridge, under that part which Fleet Market is now built upon.

48. Blackfriars' Bridge.

[Picture: Blackfriars' Bridge]

Here we have a view of Blackfriars' Bridge, and, from the great bustle there is upon the river, there seems to be a rowing match among several watermen. This bridge is a n.o.ble structure, consisting of nine arches, the centre one being one hundred feet wide. Over each pier is a recess, with seats for pa.s.sengers on the bridge, supported by two beautiful Ionic pillars, which stand on a semi-circular projection, rising above high-water mark; and the whole appears an admirable piece of workmanship, upon the water. This bridge was begun in the year 1760, from a design of Robert Mylne, Esq. the architect, and finished in about eight years, at the expence of rather more than one hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

Blackfriars' Bridge is a very pleasant place for a walk, especially on a fine summer's evening, when the air is still and serene, and the light pleasure-boats are gliding up and down the river with their gay companies.

It is a beautiful sight to see the sun setting from this place: it shines upon the great dome of St. Paul's, in all its glory, and makes it look as if it were made of gold. The watermen are always waiting about the bridges, and keep a brisk cry of Boat! boat, who wants a boat? Oars, Sir! sculler, Sir!

49. Temple Bar.

[Picture: Temple Bar]

Temple Bar is a n.o.ble gateway of stone, with a large arch in the centre for carriages, and a covered path on each side for foot-pa.s.sengers. It is now the only gate standing, except St. John's Gate, Smithfield, out of the many formerly used at the several princ.i.p.al entries into the city.

On some public occasions, as, when the king or any of the royal family come into the city, or on a proclamation of peace, this gate is shut and opened with great formality. On the latter occasion, the gates of Temple Bar are shut, to show that the jurisdiction of the city is under the Lord Mayor. The knight-marshal, with his officers, having reached this barrier of city authority, the trumpets are sounded thrice; and the junior officer of arms riding up to the gate, knocks with a cane. The city marshal within demands, "Who comes there?" The herald replies, "The officers of arms, who ask entrance into the city, to publish his majesty's proclamation of peace." On this the gates are opened, and he alone is admitted; when, being conducted to the Lord Mayor, he shows the royal warrant, which his lordship having read and returned, he orders the city marshal to open the gates. This being done, the heralds resume their places; and the procession, joined by the city magistrates, proceeds to the Royal Exchange, where the proclamation is read.

The very great improvements already made from Temple Bar towards St.

James's, have cost so considerable a sum of money, that the destruction of this gate, or bar, has been delayed much longer than was expected.

The upper part of it was used of late years as an office for publishing the Star newspaper.

Shortly after the rebellion of 1745, the heads of three rebel n.o.blemen were fixed on three poles, on the top of the gate, where they remained till they decayed, or were blown down by a high wind.

50. The Paviors.

[Picture: The Paviors]

When we see a rope, with a wisp of straw tied to it, across the street, no carriage should attempt to pa.s.s, for that is the pavior's signal that the road is stopped, by their being at work on the stones. And hard work it seems to be, to use the heavy rammer.

"Does not each walker know the warning sign, When wisps of straw depend upon the twine Cross the close street, that then the pavior's art Renews the way, denied to coach or cart?

For thee the st.u.r.dy pavior thumps the ground, Whilst every stroke his labouring lungs resound."

The stones for paving London are mostly brought from the quarries of Scotland, by ships; and very few towns or cities in Europe are better paved than the City of London. Indeed, every year seems to add improvements, for the health and comfort of the inhabitants.

The country farmer, who has been used to nothing but ploughed fields, and uneven, rutted lanes, or, at best, to the rough gravel of a cross-country road, would be surprised to see the streets of London paved as neatly as Farmer Furrowdale's kitchen, and the lamps lighted as regularly every evening, as that in the great hall at the 'squires. And now, by the introduction of gas, the princ.i.p.al streets are very brilliantly illuminated, without the aid of tallow, oil, or cotton.

51. Westminster Abbey.

[Picture: Westminster Abbey]

There seems to be one more great person removed from this life, and going in a hea.r.s.e with six horses, to his last home. Westminster Abbey is a fine Gothic pile, and was founded by _Sebert_, king of the East Saxons, but at what time is uncertain. In this place the kings and queens of England have been crowned, ever since the days of Pope Nicholas the Second, who appointed it for their inauguration. The coronation chairs are kept here, and the seat of the most ancient one is the stone on which the kings of Scotland used to be crowned, brought to Westminster by Edward the First.