City Scenes Part 7

The great number of monuments, and other curiosities of this venerable building, with the variety of pavements and chapels, are well worthy of a visit from every enquiring stranger; but the insertion of a full description here, would be more than can be expected.

52. The Tombs.

[Picture: The Tombs]

There is a Westminster scholar, and he appears to be explaining the particulars of some Latin inscription, to his mother and sister, who have called to see him. Methinks I hear the lady say, "See, my dear children, what the richest and greatest come to at last. Rich and poor, high and low, must all be laid in the grave; and though this n.o.ble monument appears very grand to the living, it makes no difference to 'the poor inhabitant below,' whether he lies beneath a beautiful pile of white marble, or has only a few green osiers bound over his grave."

53. Westminster Bridge

[Picture: Westminster Bridge]

Is admired both for the grandeur and simplicity which are united in its several parts. Henry, Earl of Pembroke, promoted the erection of this bridge, and laid the first stone, in the beginning of the year 1739. It has thirteen arches, exclusive of a very small one at each end. The foundation is laid on a solid bed of gravel, and the piers are solid blocks of Portland stone, uniting strength with neatness. It was eight years and three quarters in completing, and cost 389,500 being more than double the cost of Blackfriars'. Westminster Bridge was opened for carriages about midnight, by a procession of gentlemen, the chief artificers, and a mult.i.tude of spectators. The architect was not a native of this country: his name was Labelye.

Not far from the bridge, in old Palace Yard, stands Westminster Hall.

54. Westminster Hall

[Picture: Westminster Hall]

Is thought to be the largest room in Europe unsupported by pillars, being two hundred and seventy feet in length, and seventy-four in breadth. The roof is of curious workmans.h.i.+p in oak, and reminds the beholders of a grove of trees, whose top branches extend toward each other till they unite. A great feast was held in this vast apartment, and other rooms of the palace, in the days of King Richard the Second, who is said to have entertained ten thousand guests, with his usual hospitality.

This hall was the court of justice in which the sovereign presided in person. Hence the Court of King's Bench took its name. Charles the First was tried here, and condemned to suffer death by his own subjects.

The trial of peers, or of any person impeached by the Commons, has been usually held here; and the coronation feasts have been celebrated therein for many ages.

The ground on which the hall stands is so near to the water, that on several high tides the Thames has overflowed the hall, the courts of justice have been broken up prematurely, and the people conveyed away in boats.

55. The Lamplighter.

[Picture: The Lamplighter]

Perhaps the streets of no city in the world are so well lighted as those of London, there being lamps on each side of the way, but a few yards distant from each other. It is said that a foreign amba.s.sador happening to enter London in the evening, after the lamps were lighted, was so struck with the brilliancy of the scene, that he imagined the streets had been illuminated expressly in honour of his arrival. What would he have thought, had he pa.s.sed through the l.u.s.tre which is shed at present by the gas lights, from so many of our shops, and from the lamps in the streets?

The Lamplighters are a useful set of men; and they are liable to many accidents while engaged in their dangerous occupation. In the winter, the foot-pavement is frequently so slippery, that they often fall and are maimed, by the ladder's sliding from under them; or sometimes a careless pa.s.senger runs against the ladder and throws them down. But one of their greatest difficulties is a high wind. In October, 1812, a poor man, named Burke, who had been many years in that employment, as he was lighting the lamps on the east side of Blackfriars' Bridge, was, by a sudden gust of wind, blown into the river, in presence of his son, a child of ten years old, and before a.s.sistance could be procured, he sunk to rise no more.

56. The Watchman.

[Picture: The Watchman]

This man has a comfortable great coat, a lantern, and a rattle, with a large stick to attack thieves. I suppose my readers would think it very wrong of him to sleep, and suffer thieves to do as they please; and so it would. But I hope no one will blame the watchman, and do as bad himself; for I have known some little folks, who have had books and teachers, and good advice also, that have not made use of any of them. Indeed, sometimes when their teachers were looking at them, they would appear to be very busy and attentive for a little while; but when no one watched them, they would do as little as a watchman when he takes a nap.

57. The Link-boy.

[Picture: The Link-boy]

The Link-boys are often on the watch, with their large torches, at dark crossings and lanes, to light pa.s.sengers through them. They deserve the reward of a few halfpence, from those whom they a.s.sist.

58. The Sedan Chair.

[Picture: The Sedan Chair]

This mode of riding is now but seldom seen, though formerly it was frequently in use. Now, Sedan Chairs are used only by the sick and weakly, or by the n.o.bility and others, who attend at the levees at court.

As for us poor authors, we must adopt the plan of riding when we must, and walking while we can.

59. The Milkmaid.

[Picture: The milkmaid]

If any of my little readers wish to be as healthy and merry as Betty the milkmaid, they must work hard, and rise early in the morning, instead of lying in bed while every body else is about his business, and idling their time till they go to bed again. Betty is obliged to get up as soon as it is light, and then takes a walk into the fields to fetch her cows.

When she has milked their full udders into her clean pails, she sets off again, and carries it from door to door, time enough for her customers to have it for breakfast. As every one knows the business of a milkmaid, I shall say no more about it; but advise those to remember her example, who wish to make themselves happy or useful.

60. The Sailors and s.h.i.+p.

[Picture: The Sailors and s.h.i.+p]

Tom Hazard was an unthinking boy, and would not settle to any business at home, and so ventured one day in a frolic to go on the water with a party of young folks; and, as Tom staid out late at night, he was met on coming ash.o.r.e by a press-gang, who took him on board a man-of-war, from which, after some time, he made his escape, and entered on board the _Desperate_ Privateer, hazarding his life for a golden chain, or a broken limb. And now, poor fellow, when it is too late, he sorely laments his situation, for, having lost a leg, he wanders with some of his companions, and joins in their mournful ditty.

We poor sailors, lame and blind, Now your charity would sue; Treat us not with words unkind, But a spark of pity shew.

Where the stormy billows roar, Many a year we plough'd the main: Far, to east or western sh.o.r.e, Luxuries for you to gain.

Far from friends and houses warm, (Comforts such as you can boast,) We have braved the howling storm, s.h.i.+pwreck'd on a desert coast.

Many a hards.h.i.+p have we known; Round and round the world we've past; Now, our limbs and eye-sight gone, Come to beggary at last!