File:London (1892) (14748111686).jpg

Identifier: londonbesant00besa (find matches)
Title: London
Year: 1892 (1890s)
Authors: Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
Subjects: London (England) -- History London (England) -- Social life and customs
Publisher: London : Chatto & Windus, Piccadilly
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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n end. He led me past the Royal Exchange, past two churches,one on the north side and one on the south, into a broad andopen street, which I knew must be Cheapside. Here, said he, is the beauty of London. This, goodSir, is ( hepe. The street was at least double the width of its modernsuccessor. The houses, which were the fairest, taken alltogether, in the whole of the city, were nearly all five storeyshigh, each storey projecting above the one below, with high-pitched gable facing the street. The fronts were of brick andtimber, and some of them were curiously and richly carved.In some the third storey was provided with a balcony shadedfrom the sun. The ground-floor contained the shop, protectedby a prentice. A sign hung in front of every house. In themiddle was Queen Eleanors cross, the figure of the Virginand Holy Infant defaced by zealous Protestants. Near thecross was the conduit. The shops on the south side were oforocers, haberdashers, and upholsterers. Farther west the TUDOR 261
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SOUTH-WEST VIEW OF AN ANCIENT STRUCTURE IN SUIT YARD, TEMPLE HAR zGi I.OXDO.X * goldsmiths stood together, and then the mercers. The streetwas filled with people, some riding, some walking. Therewere gallants, followed by servants carrying their swords;there were grave city merchants and fine city madams ; therewere working-men and craftsmen ; there were the prentices,too, in every shop, bawling their wares. When I was a prentice, said Stow, the boys w-ere madeto wear blue cloaks in summer and blue gowns in winter,with breeches and stockings of white broad cloth, and flatcaps. They attended their master at night with a lanthornand clubs, and they fetched the water in the morning, unlessthey were mercers, who were excused. But all good mannersare changed. Now they dress as they please, and exceptthat they carry the club and break each others pates withal,they are no longer like the old prentice. Also formerly tenpounds would suffice to bind a lad and make him free of thecity ; now a hu

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