The Ruby in the Smoke
Page 20
Electric Light. - The electric light, first practically introduced into London by Mr. Hollingshead at the Gaiety Theatre, has been made, during the last few months, the subject of a great number of experiments both public and private. Of the former the most important has been that on the Thames Embankment, where the great width of road, and the entire absence of all extraneous light from shop windows or public-houses on either hand, enabled the rival systems of gas and electricity to try their strength against each other on equal terms. It would, perhaps, be as well to essay the experiment under other conditions, and try the effect of the electric light alongside of the ordinary shop window; but up to the date of our going to press this had not been done. Meanwhile the gas companies have been stimulated by the appearance of this formidable rival into showing what can be done by means of gas when expense is not made one of the principal considerations. The first demonstration of the illuminating powers of the old familiar extract of coal was made on the Waterloo-bridge-road, and created quite a sensation among the panic-stricken shareholders, who began to think that if the vestries could but be induced to open their purses there might be hopes of keeping up some sort of dividend after all. The question is now therefore simply one of cost. One would imagine that this would not be a very impossible question to solve. But London has not yet found its Haussmann. [Baron Haussman was commissioned by Napoleon III in 1853 to begin a program of planning reforms in Paris and was responsible for the distinctive wide boulevards and gardens we see there today.]
Lodgings. - The immense extension of late years of the metropolitan railway system has thrown open to those in search of lodgings a much wider field than heretofore, even when sightseeing is the object, and time pressing. To those who are very hard pushed in the latter respect, or who contemplate being out late at night after the trains have ceased running, a central situation is, of course, still of importance; and these would do well to confine themselves - if economically disposed - to the streets between the river and the Strand, where they will get tolerable accommodation at about 30s. to 50s. a week, or to those on either side of New Oxford-street, where the charges will run a few shillings lower. In Bloomsbury, again, a little farther north, but still within easy reach of the amusement centre, will be found a whole region, the chief occupation of which is the letting of lodgings, and where the traditional bed and sitting room can be obtained at almost any price from one guinea to two and a half. Those who wish to be central, and are not particular as to the price they pay, should prosecute their search in the streets between Pall-mall and Piccadilly, including the former, where they will find as a rule small rooms, often shabbily furnished, but good cooking, first-class attendance, and a general flavour of "society". Prices here are a good deal influenced by the "season", this being the special resort of fashionable bachelors who live at their clubs; but the weekly rent of a bed and sitting room may be taken at from three to eight or ten guineas; "extras" also, of course, being in proportion. In all cases, except perhaps that of the Pall Mall district, these prices should include kitchen fire, boot-cleaning, hall and staircase gas, attendance, and all extras whatsoever.
London Bridge - built in 1824-27 from the designs of John Rennie, architect of Southwark and Waterloo Bridges, partly by himself, partly on his death by his son, Mr. J. Rennie. The cost, from various causes, was enormous, and a good deal of misapprehension seems to exist upon this point; some authorities placing it at a little under a million and a half, while others give it at over two and a half millions. It is built of granite in five arches; the centre arch being 152ft., the two next 140ft., and the two shore arches 130ft. each in span. In order to facilitate traffic, police-constables are stationed along the middle of the roadway, and all vehicles travelling at a walking pace only are compelled to keep close to the curb. There are still, however, frequent blocks, and the bridge should be avoided as much as possible between 9 and 10 a.m. and 4 and 6 p.m. Seen from the river, it is the handsomest bridge in London.
Omnibus. - The omnibus service of London is chiefly in the hands of the London General Omnibus Company (Limited), whose carriages traverse the leading thoroughfares in every direction at regular intervals from early morn to midnight. Besides the company there are also on the principal routes one or two large private proprietors, and a considerable number of smaller owners, who run their vehicles more or less at discretion.
Opium Smoking Dens. - The best known of these justly-named "dens" is that of one Johnstone, who lives in a garret off Ratcliff-highway, and for a consideration allows visitors to smoke a pipe which has been used by many crowned heads in common with poor Chinese sailors who seek their native pleasure in Johnstone's garret. This is the place referred to in the "Mystery of Edwin Drood". A similar establishment of a slightly superior - or it might be more correct to say a shade less nauseating - class is that of Johnny Chang, at the London and St. Katharine Coffeehouse, in the Highway itself.
Servants vary even more than most commodities. The best way to get one is to select from the advertisements in the daily papers. The next best, to advertise your wants, though this will expose you to the attacks of a considerable class who will call simply for the purpose of extorting their "expenses". The average London wages may be set down as: Butlers, PS40 to PS100 ; Footmen, PS20 to PS40 ; Pages, PS8 to PS15 ; Cooks, PS18 to PS50 ; House-maids, PS10 to PS25 ; Parlourmaids, PS12 to PS30 ; "General servants", Anglice Maids of all Work, PS6 to PS15. A month's notice required before leaving or dismissing; but in the latter case a month's wages (and board wages if demanded) will suffice. For serious misconduct a servant can be discharged without notice. When left in town, additional board wages will be required at the rate of about 10s. per week. If economy is necessary, bear in mind that the payment of commissions from tradesmen to servants is an almost universal London custom, and a fruitful source of deliberate waste. "Kitchen stuff" is another expensive institution specially designed to facilitate the consumption of articles, on the replacing of which cook may make her little profit. Dripping, which is a perquisite for which almost all cooks will make at least a fight, not only means a good deal more than its name would imply, but leads to the spoiling of your meat by surreptitious stabbings that the juice may run away more freely.
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