Part 2

Of dealers in milk there are two classes,--the one keeping cows, the other purchasing from large dairymen in the outskirts, and retailing it on their own account. Their customers mostly live in neighbouring streets, which are called “milk-walks,” and are often disposed of as other trades. It is stated that fifteen thousand cows are necessary to supply London with milk, and it has been calculated that it is usually adulterated one-third. The milk-carriers of London are mostly Welsh girls, and did, until of late, wear the national hat. Our sketch exhibits one of them carrying home the produce of her master’s cows from St. James’s Park, while a man drives a cow and calf from the pasture there; but this is a picture of the past. The park no longer affords pasture for cattle; population has driven them farther away. The background remains the same.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

The present church was erected by Henry III. and his successors; the western towers are by Sir Christopher Wren. Behind the altar is the chapel of Edward the Confessor, in which is kept the coronation chair: adjoining is the chapel of Henry V. Around these chapels are nine others, dedicated to various saints. Next to the eastern end of the church stands the chapel of Henry VII. The first stone was laid in Feb., 1503, by Abbot Islop; the building cost £14,000, an enormous sum for the period. It was designed by Sir Reginald Bray. The Abbey contains the monuments of many great men; one spot is occupied by poets, and called “Poets’ Corner.” In the foreground may be seen the tower of the parish church of St. Margaret’s, Westminster.

YOUNG WATER-CRESSES!

The morn has been proclaimed with “Sweep! Soot oh!” The inmate of the downy bed has turned again to slumber--then follows “Milk!” and now comes “Water-cresses!” ’Tis half-past eight; all are up, the door is mopped, and Betty runs to get the usual penny for the poor old dame in Milbank, Westminster. From here we obtain a good view of

LAMBETH PALACE,

which is the principal residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is a very extensive and irregular pile, the principal part of which was built since the thirteenth century, the oldest part being the chapel. The great hall was erected by Archbishop Juxon, about 1600. The gate seen in the picture was built by Cardinal Morton in 1490, in front of which, to this day, is distributed the bishop’s dole, or alms, to thirty poor parishioners of Lambeth, ten of whom are served each day; among them are distributed three stone of beef, ten pitchers of broth, five quartern loaves, and twopence in copper. At the back of this gate is the Lollards’ Prison, a small room of great strength, in which prisoners have been confined for their religious opinions. Adjoining is the parish church of Lambeth.

KNIVES TO GRIND!--SCISSORS TO GRIND!

We here have a grinder executing a job under the entrance gateway to New Square, Lincoln’s Inn; who, if we may judge from the smile of satisfaction playing on his countenance, has had merry work amongst the cleavers of Clare Market, adjacent. Hoping he may find the like success with the pen-knives of the lawyers of Lincoln’s Inn, we wish him “Good day!”

BUY A MAT!--BUY A DOOR OR PARLOUR MAT!

They are manufactured of different materials: rope and rush mats for hall-doors. Parlour and carriage mats are made of sheep-skins, with the wool on, dyed of various hues.

NEW HALL, LINCOLN’S INN,

is situated on the eastern side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields: it is of Tudor architecture, designed by Philip Hardwick, R.A., and consists of an extensive dining-hall, spacious library, and benchers’ drawingroom. It was opened Oct. 30, 1845, by the Queen, accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert. Lincoln’s Inn is one of the principal inns of court.

SWEEP!--SOOT OH!

This trade was, until of late, performed by small boys, who used to climb up chimneys, brushing away the soot as they went, until they arrived at the top, where they performed a rattle of triumph on the sides of the pot. Poor little sweep! your “occupation’s gone;” the term “climbing boy” will soon become obselete, for chimneys are now swept by machines, such as the one on the shoulders of the boy in our picture. He has been his morning’s round, and perceives a chimney on fire, which he is off to extinguish, seeming to enjoy it much, no doubt on account of the extra fee on such occasions. The boys have got out the parish engine and the beadle. It is the 1st of May, the sweeps’ grand day, when they perambulate the streets and collect donations, decked in ribbons and finery, and dance round the ivy bower, called “Jack in the Green,” to a drum and pandean pipes, which revelry seems to be forgotten in the excitement of the moment: the smoke rolls over-head; it must be in Guildford Place, opposite

THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL.

Its name indicates its use. It is a plain brick edifice, with a chapel in the centre, founded, about the year 1722, by Captain Thomas Coram. It covers a large space, and is enclosed within a wall: here the children play. There are about 360, who are educated in a plain manner; and when old enough the boys are apprenticed, and girls put to service.

MUFFINS!--CRUMPETS!--ALL HOT MUFFINS!

This is an evening cry in winter, reminding us of a cheerful fire, curtains drawn, pleasant company, the hissing urn, and a goodly pile of these toasted luxuries hot and tempting. They are sold by boys or men, who carry a small bell, which they ring between the times of calling out their wares. Night is fast approaching, the lamp-lighter is at work, while the last rays of departing day gild the horizon, behind the portico of

THE NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.

This is the most important line of communication up the country, and the most extensive in the kingdom: it was commenced in 1837, and originally called the “London and Birmingham Railway,” from its ending in that town, 112 miles from London; but it is now the grand trunk line of numerous tributaries. Our view is of the Doric portico at the Euston station, Euston Square; it is built of granite, from a design by Philip Hardwick, R.A., and is 70 feet in height.

BUY A BROOM!

These tasteful articles are cut out of a single piece of wood, and carried about our metropolis by Bavarian women, who sing pleasing ditties in broken English; they are very tidy, and have a picturesque appearance. Here we have one offering a broom to the inmates of a carriage in the Regent’s Park, near

THE COLOSSEUM.

It was erected some few years since for the exhibition of a panorama of London, painted by Mr. Horner, after sketches taken from a scaffold above the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, (during the repairs of the ball and cross,) at sunrise, before the lighting of the innumerable fires. This glorious scene has been beautifully described by Wordsworth, in one of his sonnets:--

“Earth has not any thing to show more fair: Dull would he be of soul who could pass by A sight so touching in its majesty: This city now doth like a garment wear The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie Open unto the fields and to the sky; All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendour valley, rock, or hill; Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! The river glideth at his own sweet will: Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still!”

End of Project Gutenberg's London Cries & Public Edifices, by Luke Limner