City Scenes Part 3

Not far from the Tower is Rosemary Lane, where Rag Fair is daily held.

To describe the great variety there sold, would exceed all bounds; we would, however, advise every country customer who visits that place, to take particular care of his pockets, that the money depart not without his consent; and, if he takes change, to see well that the silver be good. A word to the wise is sufficient. But as many dealers in old clothes know that an industrious disposition is worth more than good opportunities without it; and as nothing is to be got by standing still, up old Levi gets early in the morning, and rambles about from street to street, and buys old clothes of those who have got new ones: or sometimes he gets a stock of hats and slippers, and then begins his walk again.

So, as he wants his money more than he does his goods, he sells them to those who want the goods more than they want their money. Thus both parties are accommodated. This is the business of a trader; and his customers are as much obliged to him for letting them have his things, as he is to them for letting him have their money.

18. s.h.i.+p-building.

Now we have a distant view of a man-of-war (which is a great fighting s.h.i.+p) building at Deptford. You may see, by the boats in the front, how large it must be; for the further off any thing is, the smaller it looks; and yet it seems larger at this distance, than the boats which are close by. It is like a large floating house, with convenient apartments, sufficient to accommodate 800 people. Numbers of men have been at work on it for several years; and hundreds of fine oaks, which have been from fifty to a hundred years in growing, have been cut down to build it with: besides all the iron from Sweden, for bolts and nails; and fir-trees from Norway, for planks and masts; and copper from Cornwall, to cover its bottom with, to preserve it from being rotted by the sea-water and from other injuries; and the pitch, tar, paint, glue, and I cannot tell how many other things, which must be used before it is fit to swim. What a pity that all this expense and trouble should be wasted in contriving to kill our neighbours and destroy their property; when it might be employed to the advantage of both parties by promoting a friendly intercourse with each other.

19. Nosegays.

[Picture: Nosegays]

Through many a long and winding lane, My wand'ring feet have stray'd; While yet the drops of early rain Were sparkling on the blade.

Along the hedge I bent my way, Where roses wild are seen; Or cowslips peeping out so gay Among the tangled green.

Or primrose, with its pucker'd leaf And simple early bloom; Or violet, hiding underneath The hedge's shady gloom.

With finger wet with morning dew, And torn by many a spray, My roses red, and violets blue, I bound in posies gay.

Before the sun has risen high, And all their colours fade, Come, lady fair, my posies buy, Of modest wild-flow'rs made.

20. The Water-cress Girl,

Lady, lady, buy, I pray, Water-cresses fresh and young; Many miles I'm forced to stray, Lanes and meadows damp among.

Stooping at the crystal brook, By the morning light I'm seen: Lady, lady, pray you look; Buy my water-cresses green.

'Tis the honest truth I tell, These were gather'd fresh to-day; I have cause to know it well, By the long and weary way.

On my arm, so tann'd and brown, So my little basket hung; As I travell'd back to town, With my water-cresses young.

Hardly was a little bird Stirring as I went along; Not a waggon-wheel I heard, Nor the ploughman's cheery song.

Still upon the waters grey, Mists of early morning hung; Buy then, lady fair, I pray, Buy my water-cresses young.

21. The Brewer's Dray.

[Picture: The Brewer's Dray]

Here travels the brewer along with his dray, And the horse seems as if he had something to say; Now (tho' between friends I am forced to confess That I cannot quite _hear_ him) I think I can guess: "Good master," perhaps, "do not give such a smack; For even a dray-horse can feel on his back; And surely 'tis fair that my labour should earn, At least civil treatment from you in return."

22. The Twopenny-post Boy.

[Picture: The Twopenny-post Boy]

This is a most welcome lad to many a tradesman, when he brings good orders, with a Banknote, or bill to be regularly paid: also to every parent, child, or friend, who wishes to hear of the welfare of parties that live at a distance.

Quoth I to the Postman, good master, your nag, By this time is tired by the weight of your bag; You've set off from your office, and rode without stopping, Till your poor panting steed is in danger of dropping.

Now, said he, if these letters were weigh'd by their sense, 'Twere a chance if they rose o'er a couple of pence; And if that could be managed, my beast would not mind, If I carried them with me, or left them behind.

23. The Dancing Bear and Dogs.

[Picture: The Dancing Bear and Dogs]

I wish the bear had remained in Russia or Poland, rather than, after being brought from his native woods, to be thus tormented; for who can tell what misery he underwent in learning to move at the command of his keeper. And as for the poor dogs, they must be very tired before their day's work is ended. I would rather find employment for the men, than give them money for punis.h.i.+ng poor animals as they do!

24. The Camel and Monkey.

[Picture: The Camel and Monkey]

What a wonderful place is this said London! Here are not only bears from the cold regions of Russia, Poland, and America, but also a camel from the hot sands of Arabia or the East Indies, walking in the streets!

Behold the playful monkey on its head, and numbers of fearless boys upon its back. In Turkey, Arabia, and Persia, the camel is a most useful creature, carrying very great weights of spices and merchandise, for a considerable number of miles, and for several days together, without any kind of sustenance. They are said to have a particular property, in scenting out places in the sand where water is to be found.

The milk of this animal is very nutritive, and, mixed with water, forms the principle beverage of the Arabians. The flesh supplies them with food: that of the young is reckoned a delicacy.

The camel feeds entirely on vegetables. Not only pencils and brushes for painters, but some very neat and fine garments have been made with its hair.

In Arabian deserts bare, I have toil'd with patient care, While upon my crooked back Hung the merchant's precious pack, Full of spices and of gold, In the markets to be sold: But it was my native clime, And I liked it all the time.

Now a poor and weary hack, With a monkey on my back, Taught by many a knock and bruise, I the gaping crowd amuse, Through your city as I go, Tired and dismal, for a show: Oh! that I could see again My native, sandy, barren plain!

25. The Royal Exchange.

[Picture: The Royal Exchange]

Here merchants meet from all parts of the world. The traffic on the seas being very great, to and from every nation, in time of peace, it must afford great convenience to the s.h.i.+p-owners, s.h.i.+p-captains, and traders, to have one spot where they can meet to transact their business. Sir Thomas Gresham, a merchant, laid the foundation in 1566, and Queen Elizabeth was so pleased with the building, that she dignified it with the t.i.tle of _Royal Exchange_, by sound of trumpet.