第6章

Gentlemenwhowereinthehabitofridingshyhorses;andsteady-

goingpeoplewhohavenovagrancyintheirsouls，laudedthis，alterationtotheskies，andtheconductofthemastersweepswas，describedbeyondthereachofpraise。Buthowstandsthereal，fact？，Letanymandeny，ifhecan，thatwhentheclothhadbeen，removed，freshpotsandpipeslaiduponthetable，andthe，customaryloyalandpatriotictoastsproposed，thecelebratedMr。

Sluffen，ofAdam-and-Eve-court，whoseauthoritynotthemost，malignantofouropponentscancallinquestion，expressedhimself，inamannerfollowing：，’Thatnowhe’dcotchtthecheerman’shi，he，vishedhemightbejollyvellblessed，ifheworn’tagoin’tohave，hisinnings，vichhevouldsaythesehereobserwashuns-thathow，somemischeevuscovesasknow’dnuffinabouttheconsarn，hadtried，tositpeopleaginthemas’rswips，andtaketheshineouto’their，bis’nes，andthebreadouto’thetrapso’theirpreshuskids，bya，makin’o’thishereremark，aschimbliescouldbeasvellsveptby，’sheeneryasbyboys;andthatthemakin’useo’boysforthat，therepurpussvosbarbareous;vereas，he’adbeenachummy-he，beggedthecheerman’spardingforusin’suchawulgarhexpression-

morenorthirtyyear-hemightsayhe’dbeenborninachimbley-

andheknow’duncommonvellas’sheeneryvosvusnoro’nouse：

andastokerheweltytotheboys，everybodyinthechimbleyline，know’dasvellashedid，thattheylikedtheclimbin’betternor，nuffinasvos。’，Fromthisday，wedatethetotalfallofthelast，lingeringremnantofMay-daydancing，amongtheELITEofthe，profession：，andfromthisperiodwecommenceanewerainthat，portionofourspringassociationswhichrelatestothefirstof，May。

Weareawarethattheunthinkingpartofthepopulationwillmeet，ushere，withtheassertion，thatdancingonMay-daystill，continues-that’greens’areannuallyseentorollalongthe，streets-thatyouthsinthegarbofclowns，precedethem，giving，venttotheebullitionsoftheirsportivefancies;andthatlords，andladiesfollowintheirwake。

Granted。Wearereadytoacknowledgethatinoutwardshow，these，processionshavegreatlyimproved：，wedonotdenytheintroduction，ofsolosonthedrum;wewillevengosofarastoadmitan，occasionalfantasiaonthetriangle，buthereouradmissionsend。

Wepositivelydenythatthesweepshaveartorpartinthese，proceedings。Wedistinctlychargethedustmenwiththrowingwhat，theyoughttoclearaway，intotheeyesofthepublic。Weaccuse，scavengers，brickmakers，andgentlemenwhodevotetheirenergiesto，thecostermongeringline，withobtainingmoneyoncea-year，under，falsepretences。Weclingwithpeculiarfondnesstothecustomof，daysgoneby，andhaveshutoutconvictionaslongaswecould，but，ithasforceditselfuponus;andwenowproclaimtoadeluded，public，thattheMay-daydancersareNOTsweeps。Thesizeofthem，alone，issufficienttorepudiatetheidea。Itisanotoriousfact，thatthewidely-spreadtasteforregister-stoveshasmaterially，increasedthedemandforsmallboys;whereasthemen，who，undera，fictitiouscharacter，danceaboutthestreetsonthefirstofMay，nowadays，wouldbeatightfitinakitchenflue，tosaynothingof，theparlour。Thisisstrongpresumptiveevidence，butwehave，positiveproof-theevidenceofourownsenses。Andhereisour，testimony。

UponthemorningofthesecondofthemerrymonthofMay，inthe，yearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandthirty-six，wewent，outforastroll，withakindofforlornhopeofseeingsomething，orotherwhichmightinduceustobelievethatitwasreally，spring，andnotChristmas。AfterwanderingasfarasCopenhagen，House，withoutmeetinganythingcalculatedtodispelourimpression，thattherewasamistakeinthealmanacks，weturnedbackdown，Maidenlane，withtheintentionofpassingthroughtheextensive，colonylyingbetweenitandBattle-bridge，whichisinhabitedby，proprietorsofdonkey-carts，boilersofhorse-flesh，makersof，tiles，andsiftersofcinders;throughwhichcolonyweshouldhave，passed，withoutstoppageorinterruption，ifalittlecrowd，gatheredroundashedhadnotattractedourattention，andinduced，ustopause。

Whenwesaya’shed，’wedonotmeantheconservatorysortof，building，which，accordingtotheoldsong，Lovetenantedwhenhe，wasayoungman，butawoodenhousewithwindowsstuffedwithrags，andpaper，andasmallyardattheside，withonedust-cart，two，baskets，afewshovels，andlittleheapsofcinders，andfragments，ofchinaandtiles，scatteredaboutit。Beforethisinvitingspot，wepaused;andthelongerwelooked，themorewewonderedwhat，excitingcircumstanceitcouldbe，thatinducedtheforemost，membersofthecrowdtoflattentheirnosesagainsttheparlour，window，inthevainhopeofcatchingaglimpseofwhatwasgoingon，inside。Afterstaringvacantlyaboutusforsomeminutes，we，appealed，touchingthecauseofthisassemblage，toagentlemanin，asuitoftarpaulin，whowassmokinghispipeonourrighthand;

butastheonlyanswerweobtainedwasaplayfulinquirywhether，ourmotherhaddisposedofhermangle，wedeterminedtoawaitthe，issueinsilence。

Judgeofourvirtuousindignation，whenthestreet-dooroftheshed，opened，andapartyemergedtherefrom，cladinthecostumeand，emulatingtheappearance，ofMay-daysweeps！

Thefirstpersonwhoappearedwas’mylord，’habitedinabluecoat，andbrightbuttons，withgiltpapertackedovertheseams，yellow，knee-breeches，pinkcottonstockings，andshoes;acockedhat，ornamentedwithshredsofvarious-colouredpaper，onhishead，a，BOUQUETthesizeofaprizecauliflowerinhisbutton-hole，along，Belcherhandkerchiefinhisrighthand，andathincaneinhis，left。Amurmurofapplauseranthroughthecrowd(whichwas，chieflycomposedofhislordship’spersonalfriends)，whenthis，gracefulfiguremadehisappearance，whichswelledintoaburstof，applauseashisfairpartnerinthedanceboundedforthtojoin，him。Herladyshipwasattiredinpinkcrapeoverbed-furniture，withalowbodyandshortsleeves。Thesymmetryofherankleswas，partiallyconcealedbyaveryperceptiblepairoffrilledtrousers;

andtheinconveniencewhichmighthaveresultedfromthe，circumstanceofherwhitesatinshoesbeingafewsizestoolarge，wasobviatedbytheirbeingfirmlyattachedtoherlegswithstrong，tapesandals。

Herheadwasornamentedwithaprofusionofartificialflowers;and，inherhandsheborealargebrassladle，whereintoreceivewhat，shefigurativelydenominated’thetin。’，Theothercharacterswere，ayounggentlemaningirl’sclothesandawidow’scap;twoclowns，whowalkedupontheirhandsinthemud，totheimmeasurabledelight，ofallthespectators;amanwithadrum;anothermanwitha，flageolet;adirtywomaninalargeshawl，withaboxunderherarm，forthemoney，-andlast，thoughnotleast，the’green，’animated，bynolessapersonagethanouridenticalfriendinthetarpaulin，suit。

Themanhammeredawayatthedrum，theflageoletsqueaked，the，shovelsrattled，the’green’rolledabout，pitchingfirstonone，sideandthenontheother;myladythrewherrightfootoverher，leftankle，andherleftfootoverherrightankle，alternately;my，lordranafewpacesforward，andbuttedatthe’green，’andthena，fewpacesbackwarduponthetoesofthecrowd，andthenwenttothe，right，andthentotheleft，andthendodgedmyladyroundthe，’green;’andfinallydrewherarmthroughhis，andcalleduponthe，boystoshout，whichtheydidlustily-forthiswasthedancing。

Wepassedthesamegroup，accidentally，intheevening。Wenever，sawa’green’sodrunk，alordsoquarrelsome(no：，noteveninthe，houseofpeersafterdinner)，apairofclownssomelancholy，a，ladysomuddy，orapartysomiserable。

HowhasMay-daydecayed！

CHAPTERXXI-BROKERS’ANDMARINE-STORESHOPS

Whenweaffirmthatbrokers’shopsarestrangeplaces，andthatif，anauthentichistoryoftheircontentscouldbeprocured，itwould，furnishmanyapageofamusement，andmanyamelancholytale，itis，necessarytoexplaintheclassofshopstowhichweallude。

Perhapswhenwemakeuseoftheterm’Brokers’Shop，’themindsof，ourreaderswillatoncepicturelarge，handsomewarehouses，exhibitingalongperspectiveofFrench-polisheddining-tables，rosewoodchiffoniers，andmahoganywash-hand-stands，withan，occasionalvistaofafour-postbedsteadandhangings，andan，appropriateforegroundofdining-roomchairs。Perhapstheywill，imaginethatwemeananhumbleclassofsecond-handfurniture，repositories。Theirimaginationwillthennaturallyleadthemto，thatstreetatthebackofLong-acre，whichiscomposedalmost，entirelyofbrokers’shops;whereyouwalkthroughgrovesof，deceitful，showy-lookingfurniture，andwheretheprospectis，occasionallyenlivenedbyabrightred，blue，andyellowhearth-

rug，embellishedwiththepleasingdeviceofamail-coachatfull，speed，orastrangeanimal，supposedtohavebeenoriginally，intendedforadog，withamassofworsted-workinhismouth，which，conjecturehaslikenedtoabasketofflowers。

This，by-the-bye，isatemptingarticletoyoungwivesinthe，humblerranksoflife，whohaveafirst-floorfronttofurnish-

theyarelostinadmiration，andhardlyknowwhichtoadmiremost。

Thedogisverybeautiful，buttheyhaveadogalreadyonthebest，tea-tray，andtwomoreonthemantel-piece。Then，thereis，somethingsogenteelaboutthatmail-coach;andthepassengers，outside(whoareallhat)giveitsuchanairofreality！

Thegoodshereareadaptedtothetaste，orrathertothemeans，of，cheappurchasers。TherearesomeofthemostbeautifulLOOKING

Pembroketablesthatwereeverbeheld：，thewoodasgreenasthe，treesinthePark，andtheleavesalmostascertaintofalloffin，thecourseofayear。Thereisalsoamostextensiveassortmentof，tentandturn-upbedsteads，madeofstainedwood，andinnumerable，specimensofthatbaseimpositiononsociety-asofabedstead。

Aturn-upbedsteadisablunt，honestpieceoffurniture;itmaybe，slightlydisguisedwithashamdrawer;andsometimesamadattempt，isevenmadetopassitoffforabook-case;ornamentitasyou，will，however，theturn-upbedsteadseemstodefydisguise，andto，insistonhavingitdistinctlyunderstoodthatheisaturn-up，bedstead，andnothingelse-thatheisindispensablynecessary，andthatbeingsouseful，hedisdainstobeornamental。

Howdifferentisthedemeanourofasofabedstead！，Ashamedofits，realuse，itstrivestoappearanarticleofluxuryandgentility-

anattemptinwhichitmiserablyfails。Ithasneitherthe，respectabilityofasofa，northevirtuesofabed;everymanwho，keepsasofabedsteadinhishouse，becomesapartytoawilfuland，designingfraud-wequestionwhetheryoucouldinsulthimmore，thanbyinsinuatingthatyouentertaintheleastsuspicionofits，realuse。

Toreturnfromthisdigression，webegtosay，thatneitherof，theseclassesofbrokers’shops，formsthesubjectofthissketch。

Theshopstowhichweadvert，areimmeasurablyinferiortothoseon，whoseoutwardappearancewehaveslightlytouched。Ourreaders，mustoftenhaveobservedinsomeby-street，inapoor，neighbourhood，asmalldirtyshop，exposingforsalethemost，extraordinaryandconfusedjumbleofold，worn-out，wretched，articles，thatcanwellbeimagined。Ourwonderattheirever，havingbeenbought，isonlytobeequalledbyourastonishmentat，theideaoftheireverbeingsoldagain。Onaboard，attheside，ofthedoor，areplacedabouttwentybooks-alloddvolumes;and，asmanywine-glasses-alldifferentpatterns;severallocks，an，oldearthenwarepan，fullofrustykeys;twoorthreegaudy，chimney-ornaments-cracked，ofcourse;theremainsofalustre，withoutanydrops;aroundframelikeacapitalO，whichhasonce，heldamirror;aflute，completewiththeexceptionofthemiddle，joint;apairofcurling-irons;andatinder-box。Infrontofthe，shop-window，arerangedsomehalf-dozenhigh-backedchairs，with，spinalcomplaintsandwastedlegs;acornercupboard;twoorthree，verydarkmahoganytableswithflapslikemathematicalproblems;

somepickle-jars，somesurgeons’ditto，withgiltlabelsand，withoutstoppers;anunframedportraitofsomeladywhoflourished，aboutthebeginningofthethirteenthcentury，byanartistwho，neverflourishedatall;anincalculablehostofmiscellaniesof，everydescription，includingbottlesandcabinets，ragsandbones，fendersandstreet-doorknockers，fire-irons，wearingappareland，bedding，ahall-lamp，andaroom-door。Imagine，inadditionto，thisincongruousmass，ablackdollinawhitefrock，withtwo，faces-onelookingupthestreet，andtheotherlookingdown，swingingoverthedoor;aboardwiththesqueezed-upinscription，’Dealerinmarinestores，’inlankywhiteletters，whoseheightis，strangelyoutofproportiontotheirwidth;andyouhavebeforeyou，preciselythekindofshoptowhichwewishtodirectyour，attention。

Althoughthesameheterogeneousmixtureofthingswillbefoundat，alltheseplaces，itiscurioustoobservehowtrulyandaccurately，someoftheminorarticleswhichareexposedforsale-articlesof，wearingapparel，forinstance-markthecharacterofthe，neighbourhood。TakeDrury-LaneandCovent-gardenforexample。

Thisisessentiallyatheatricalneighbourhood。Thereisnota，potboyinthevicinitywhoisnot，toagreaterorlessextent，a，dramaticcharacter。Theerrand-boysandchandler’s-shop-keepers’

sons，areallstage-struck：，they’getsup’playsinbackkitchens，hiredforthepurpose，andwillstandbeforeashop-windowfor，hours，contemplatingagreatstaringportraitofMr。Somebodyor，other，oftheRoyalCoburgTheatre，’asheappearedinthe，characterofTongotheDenounced。’，Theconsequenceis，thatthere，isnotamarine-storeshopintheneighbourhood，whichdoesnot，exhibitforsalesomefadedarticlesofdramaticfinery，suchas，threeorfourpairsofsoiledbuffbootswithturn-overredtops，heretoforewornbya’fourthrobber，’or’fifthmob;’apairof，rustybroadswords，afewgauntlets，andcertainresplendent，ornaments，which，iftheywereyellowinsteadofwhite，mightbe，takenforinsuranceplatesoftheSunFire-office。Thereare，severaloftheseshopsinthenarrowstreetsanddirtycourts，of，whichtherearesomanynearthenationaltheatres，andtheyall，havetemptinggoodsofthisdescription，withtheaddition，perhaps，ofalady’spinkdresscoveredwithspangles;white，wreaths，stageshoes，andatiaralikeatinlampreflector。They，havebeenpurchasedofsomewretchedsupernumeraries，orsixth-rate，actors，andarenowofferedforthebenefitoftherising，generation，who，onconditionofmakingcertainweeklypayments，amountinginthewholetoabouttentimestheirvalue，mayavail，themselvesofsuchdesirablebargains。

Letustakeaverydifferentquarter，andapplyittothesame，test。Lookatamarine-storedealer’s，inthatreservoirofdirt，drunkenness，anddrabs：，thieves，oysters，bakedpotatoes，and，pickledsalmon-Ratcliff-highway。Here，thewearingapparelis，allnautical。Roughbluejackets，withmother-of-pearlbuttons，oil-skinhats，coarsecheckedshirts，andlargecanvastrousers，thatlookasiftheyweremadeforapairofbodiesinsteadofa，pairoflegs，arethestaplecommodities。Then，therearelarge，bunchesofcottonpocket-handkerchiefs，incolourandpattern，unlikeanyoneeversawbefore，withtheexceptionofthoseonthe，backsofthethreeyoungladieswithoutbonnetswhopassedjust，now。Thefurnitureismuchthesameaselsewhere，withthe，additionofoneortwomodelsofships，andsomeoldprintsof，navalengagementsinstillolderframes。Inthewindow，areafew，compasses，asmalltraycontainingsilverwatchesinclumsythick，cases;andtobacco-boxes，thelidofeachornamentedwithaship，orananchor，orsomesuchtrophy。Asailorgenerallypawnsor，sellsallhehasbeforehehasbeenlongashore，andifhedoes，not，somefavouredcompanionkindlysaveshimthetrouble。In，eithercase，itisanevenchancethatheafterwardsunconsciously，repurchasesthesamethingsatahigherpricethanhegaveforthem，atfirst。

Again：，payavisitwithasimilarobject，toapartofLondon，as，unlikebothoftheseastheyaretoeachother。Crossovertothe，Surreyside，andlookatsuchshopsofthisdescriptionasareto，befoundneartheKing’sBenchprison，andin’theRules。’，How，different，andhowstrikinglyillustrativeofthedecayofsomeof，theunfortunateresidentsinthispartofthemetropolis！

Imprisonmentandneglecthavedonetheirwork。Thereis，contaminationintheprofligatedenizensofadebtor’sprison;old，friendshavefallenoff;therecollectionofformerprosperityhas，passedaway;andwithitallthoughtsforthepast，allcarefor，thefuture。First，watchesandrings，thencloaks，coats，andall，themoreexpensivearticlesofdress，havefoundtheirwaytothe，pawnbroker’s。Thatmiserableresourcehasfailedatlast，andthe，saleofsometriflingarticleatoneoftheseshops，hasbeenthe，onlymodeleftofraisingashillingortwo，tomeettheurgent，demandsofthemoment。Dressing-casesandwriting-desks，tooold，topawnbuttoogoodtokeep;guns，fishing-rods，musical，instruments，allinthesamecondition;havefirstbeensold，and，thesacrificehasbeenbutslightlyfelt。Buthungermustbe，allayed，andwhathasalreadybecomeahabit，iseasilyresorted，to，whenanemergencyarises。Lightarticlesofclothing，firstof，theruinedman，thenofhiswife，atlastoftheirchildren，even，oftheyoungest，havebeenpartedwith，piecemeal。Theretheyare，throwncarelesslytogetheruntilapurchaserpresentshimself，old，andpatchedandrepaired，itistrue;butthemakeandmaterials，tellofbetterdays;andtheoldertheyare，thegreaterthemisery，anddestitutionofthosewhomtheyonceadorned。

CHAPTERXXII-GIN-SHOPS

Itisaremarkablecircumstance，thatdifferenttradesappearto，partakeofthediseasetowhichelephantsanddogsareespecially，liable，andtorunstark，staring，ravingmad，periodically。The，greatdistinctionbetweentheanimalsandthetrades，is，thatthe，formerrunmadwithacertaindegreeofpropriety-theyarevery，regularintheirirregularities。Weknowtheperiodatwhichthe，emergencywillarise，andprovideagainstitaccordingly。Ifan，elephantrunmad，weareallreadyforhim-killorcure-pills，orbullets，calomelinconserveofroses，orleadinamusket-

barrel。Ifadoghappentolookunpleasantlywarminthesummer，months，andtotrotabouttheshadysideofthestreetswitha，quarterofayardoftonguehangingoutofhismouth，athick，leathermuzzle，whichhasbeenpreviouslypreparedincompliance，withthethoughtfulinjunctionsoftheLegislature，isinstantly，clappedoverhishead，bywayofmakinghimcooler，andheeither，looksremarkablyunhappyforthenextsixweeks，orbecomeslegally，insane，andgoesmad，asitwere，byActofParliament。Butthese，tradesareaseccentricascomets;nay，worse，fornoonecan，calculateontherecurrenceofthestrangeappearanceswhich，betokenthedisease。Moreover，thecontagionisgeneral，andthe，quicknesswithwhichitdiffusesitself，almostincredible。

Wewillcitetwoorthreecasesinillustrationofourmeaning。

Sixoreightyearsago，theepidemicbegantodisplayitselfamong，thelinen-drapersandhaberdashers。Theprimarysymptomswerean，inordinateloveofplate-glass，andapassionforgas-lightsand，gilding。Thediseasegraduallyprogressed，andatlastattaineda，fearfulheight。Quiet，dustyoldshopsindifferentpartsoftown，werepulleddown;spaciouspremiseswithstuccoedfrontsandgold，letters，wereerectedinstead;floorswerecoveredwithTurkey，carpets;roofssupportedbymassivepillars;doorsknockedinto，windows;adozensquaresofglassintoone;oneshopmanintoa，dozen;andthereisnoknowingwhatwouldhavebeendone，ifithad，notbeenfortunatelydiscovered，justintime，thatthe，CommissionersofBankruptcywereascompetenttodecidesuchcases，astheCommissionersofLunacy，andthatalittleconfinementand，gentleexaminationdidwonders。Thediseaseabated。Itdiedaway。

Ayearortwoofcomparativetranquillityensued。Suddenlyit，burstoutagainamongstthechemists;thesymptomswerethesame，withtheadditionofastrongdesiretosticktheroyalarmsover，theshop-door，andagreatrageformahogany，varnish，and，expensivefloor-cloth。Then，thehosierswereinfected，andbegan，topulldowntheirshop-frontswithfranticrecklessness。The，maniaagaindiedaway，andthepublicbegantocongratulate，themselvesonitsentiredisappearance，whenitburstforthwith，tenfoldviolenceamongthepublicans，andkeepersof’winevaults。’

Fromthatmomentithasspreadamongthemwithunprecedented，rapidity，exhibitingaconcatenationofalltheprevioussymptoms;

onwardithasrushedtoeverypartoftown，knockingdownallthe，oldpublic-houses，anddepositingsplendidmansions，stone，balustrades，rosewoodfittings，immenselamps，andilluminated，clocks，atthecornerofeverystreet。

Theextensivescaleonwhichtheseplacesareestablished，andthe，ostentatiousmannerinwhichthebusinessofeventhesmallest，amongthemisdividedintobranches，isamusing。Ahandsomeplate，ofgroundglassinonedoordirectsyou’TotheCounting-house;’

anothertothe’BottleDepartment;athirdtothe’Wholesale，Department;’afourthto’TheWinePromenade;’andsoforth，until，weareindailyexpectationofmeetingwitha’BrandyBell，’ora，’WhiskeyEntrance。’，Then，ingenuityisexhaustedindevising，attractivetitlesforthedifferentdescriptionsofgin;andthe，dram-drinkingportionofthecommunityastheygazeuponthe，giganticblackandwhiteannouncements，whichareonlytobe，equalledinsizebythefiguresbeneaththem，areleftinastate，ofpleasinghesitationbetween’TheCreamoftheValley，’’TheOut，andOut，’’TheNoMistake，’’TheGoodforMixing，’’TherealKnock-

me-down，’’ThecelebratedButterGin，’’TheregularFlare-up，’and，adozenother，equallyinvitingandwholesomeLIQUEURS。Although，placesofthisdescriptionaretobemetwithineverysecond，street，theyareinvariablynumerousandsplendidinprecise，proportiontothedirtandpovertyofthesurrounding，neighbourhood。Thegin-shopsinandnearDrury-Lane，Holborn，St。

Giles’s，Covent-garden，andClare-market，arethehandsomestin，London。Thereismoreoffilthandsqualidmiserynearthosegreat，thorough-faresthaninanypartofthismightycity。

Wewillendeavourtosketchthebarofalargegin-shop，andits，ordinarycustomers，fortheedificationofsuchofourreadersas，maynothavehadopportunitiesofobservingsuchscenes;andonthe，chanceoffindingonewellsuitedtoourpurpose，wewillmakefor，Drury-Lane，throughthenarrowstreetsanddirtycourtswhich，divideitfromOxford-street，andthatclassicalspotadjoiningthe，breweryatthebottomofTottenham-court-road，bestknowntothe，initiatedasthe’Rookery。’

ThefilthyandmiserableappearanceofthispartofLondoncan，hardlybeimaginedbythose(andtherearemanysuch)whohavenot，witnessedit。Wretchedhouseswithbrokenwindowspatchedwith，ragsandpaper：，everyroomletouttoadifferentfamily，andin，manyinstancestotwooreventhree-fruitand’sweet-stuff’

manufacturersinthecellars，barbersandred-herringvendorsin，thefrontparlours，cobblersintheback;abird-fancierinthe，firstfloor，threefamiliesonthesecond，starvationinthe，attics，Irishmeninthepassage，a’musician’inthefrontkitchen，andacharwomanandfivehungrychildreninthebackone-filth，everywhere-agutterbeforethehousesandadrainbehind-

clothesdryingandslopsemptying，fromthewindows;girlsof，fourteenorfifteen，withmattedhair，walkingaboutbarefoot，and，inwhitegreat-coats，almosttheironlycovering;boysofallages，incoatsofallsizesandnocoatsatall;menandwomen，inevery，varietyofscantyanddirtyapparel，lounging，scolding，drinking，smoking，squabbling，fighting，andswearing。

Youturnthecorner。Whatachange！，Allislightandbrilliancy。

Thehumofmanyvoicesissuesfromthatsplendidgin-shopwhich，formsthecommencementofthetwostreetsopposite;andthegay，buildingwiththefantasticallyornamentedparapet，theilluminated，clock，theplate-glasswindowssurroundedbystuccorosettes，and，itsprofusionofgas-lightsinrichly-giltburners，isperfectly，dazzlingwhencontrastedwiththedarknessanddirtwehavejust，left。Theinteriorisevengayerthantheexterior。Abarof，French-polishedmahogany，elegantlycarved，extendsthewholewidth，oftheplace;andtherearetwoside-aislesofgreatcasks，painted，greenandgold，enclosedwithinalightbrassrail，andbearing，suchinscriptions，as’OldTom，549;’’YoungTom，360;’’Samson，1421’-thefiguresagreeing，wepresume，with’gallons，’

understood。Beyondthebarisaloftyandspacioussaloon，fullof，thesameenticingvessels，withagalleryrunningroundit，equally，wellfurnished。Onthecounter，inadditiontotheusualspirit，apparatus，aretwoorthreelittlebasketsofcakesandbiscuits，whicharecarefullysecuredattopwithwicker-work，toprevent，theircontentsbeingunlawfullyabstracted。Behindit，aretwo，showily-dresseddamselswithlargenecklaces，dispensingthe，spiritsand’compounds。’，Theyareassistedbytheostensible，proprietoroftheconcern，astout，coarsefellowinafurcap，put，onverymuchononesidetogivehimaknowingair，andtodisplay，hissandywhiskerstothebestadvantage。

Thetwooldwasherwomen，whoareseatedonthelittlebenchtothe，leftofthebar，areratherovercomebythehead-dressesand，haughtydemeanouroftheyoungladieswhoofficiate。Theyreceive，theirhalf-quarternofginandpeppermint，withconsiderable，deference，prefacingarequestfor’oneofthemsoftbiscuits，’

witha’Jistbegoodenough，ma’am。’，Theyarequiteastonishedat，theimpudentairoftheyoungfellowinabrowncoatandbright，buttons，who，usheringinhistwocompanions，andwalkinguptothe，barinascarelessamannerasifhehadbeenusedtogreenand，goldornamentsallhislife，winksatoneoftheyoungladieswith，singularcoolness，andcallsfora’kervortenandathree-out-

glass，’justasiftheplacewerehisown。’Ginforyou，sir？’

saystheyoungladywhenshehasdrawnit：，carefullylookingevery，waybuttherightone，toshowthatthewinkhadnoeffectupon，her。’Forme，Mary，mydear，’repliesthegentlemaninbrown。’My，namean’tMaryasithappens，’saystheyounggirl，ratherrelaxing，asshedeliversthechange。’Well，ifitan’t，itoughttobe，’

respondstheirresistibleone;’alltheMarysaseverIsee，was，handsomegals。’，Heretheyounglady，notpreciselyrememberinghow，blushesaremanagedinsuchcases，abruptlyendstheflirtationby，addressingthefemaleinthefadedfeatherswhohasjustentered，andwho，afterstatingexplicitly，topreventanysubsequent，misunderstanding，that’thisgentlemanpays，’callsfor’aglassof，portwineandabitofsugar。’

Thosetwooldmenwhocamein’justtohaveadrain，’finished，theirthirdquarternafewsecondsago;theyhavemadethemselves，cryingdrunk;andthefatcomfortable-lookingelderlywomen，who，had’aglassofrum-srub’each，havingchimedinwiththeir，complaintsonthehardnessofthetimes，oneofthewomenhas，agreedtostandaglassround，jocularlyobservingthat’grief，nevermendednobrokenbones，andasgoodpeople’sweryscarce，whatIsaysis，makethemoston’em，andthat’sallaboutit！’a，sentimentwhichappearstoaffordunlimitedsatisfactiontothose，whohavenothingtopay。

Itisgrowinglate，andthethrongofmen，women，andchildren，who，havebeenconstantlygoinginandout，dwindlesdowntotwoor，threeoccasionalstragglers-cold，wretched-lookingcreatures，in，thelaststageofemaciationanddisease。TheknotofIrish，labourersatthelowerendoftheplace，whohavebeenalternately，shakinghandswith，andthreateningthelifeofeachother，forthe，lasthour，becomefuriousintheirdisputes，andfindingit，impossibletosilenceoneman，whoisparticularlyanxiousto，adjustthedifference，theyresorttotheexpedientofknockinghim，downandjumpingonhimafterwards。Themaninthefurcap，and，thepotboyrushout;asceneofriotandconfusionensues;halfthe，Irishmengetshutout，andtheotherhalfgetshutin;thepotboy，isknockedamongthetubsinnotime;thelandlordhitseverybody，andeverybodyhitsthelandlord;thebarmaidsscream;thepolice，comein;therestisaconfusedmixtureofarms，legs，staves，torn，coats，shouting，andstruggling。Someofthepartyareborneoff，tothestation-house，andtheremainderslinkhometobeattheir，wivesforcomplaining，andkickthechildrenfordaringtobe，hungry。

Wehavesketchedthissubjectveryslightly，notonlybecauseour，limitscompelustodoso，butbecause，ifitwerepursuedfarther，itwouldbepainfulandrepulsive。Well-disposedgentlemen，and，charitableladies，wouldaliketurnwithcoldnessanddisgustfrom，adescriptionofthedrunkenbesottedmen，andwretchedbroken-down，miserablewomen，whoformnoinconsiderableportionofthe，frequentersofthesehaunts;forgetting，inthepleasant，consciousnessoftheirownrectitude，thepovertyoftheone，and，thetemptationoftheother。Gin-drinkingisagreatvicein，England，butwretchednessanddirtareagreater;anduntilyou，improvethehomesofthepoor，orpersuadeahalf-famishedwretch，nottoseekreliefinthetemporaryoblivionofhisownmisery，withthepittancewhich，dividedamonghisfamily，wouldfurnisha，morselofbreadforeach，gin-shopswillincreaseinnumberand，splendour。IfTemperanceSocietieswouldsuggestanantidote，againsthunger，filth，andfoulair，orcouldestablish，dispensariesforthegratuitousdistributionofbottlesofLethe-

water，gin-palaceswouldbenumberedamongthethingsthatwere。

CHAPTERXXIII-THEPAWNBROKER’SSHOP

Ofthenumerousreceptaclesformiseryanddistresswithwhichthe，streetsofLondonunhappilyabound，thereare，perhaps，nonewhich，presentsuchstrikingscenesasthepawnbrokers’shops。Thevery，natureanddescriptionoftheseplacesoccasionstheirbeingbut，littleknown，excepttotheunfortunatebeingswhoseprofligacyor，misfortunedrivesthemtoseekthetemporaryrelieftheyoffer。

Thesubjectmayappear，atfirstsight，tobeanythingbutan，invitingone，butweventureonitnevertheless，inthehopethat，asfarasthelimitsofourpresentpaperareconcerned，itwill，presentnothingtodisgusteventhemostfastidiousreader。

Therearesomepawnbrokers’shopsofaverysuperiordescription。

Therearegradesinpawningasineverythingelse，anddistinctions，mustbeobservedeveninpoverty。ThearistocraticSpanishcloak，andtheplebeiancalicoshirt，thesilverforkandtheflatiron，themuslincravatandtheBelcherneckerchief，wouldbutillassort，together;so，thebettersortofpawnbrokercallshimselfasilver-

smith，anddecorateshisshopwithhandsometrinketsandexpensive，jewellery，whilethemorehumblemoney-lenderboldlyadvertiseshis，calling，andinvitesobservation。Itiswithpawnbrokers’shopsof，thelatterclass，thatwehavetodo。Wehaveselectedoneforour，purpose，andwillendeavourtodescribeit。

Thepawnbroker’sshopissituatednearDrury-Lane，atthecornerof，acourt，whichaffordsasideentrancefortheaccommodationof，suchcustomersasmaybedesirousofavoidingtheobservationof，thepassers-by，orthechanceofrecognitioninthepublicstreet。

Itisalow，dirty-looking，dustyshop，thedoorofwhichstands，alwaysdoubtfully，alittlewayopen：，halfinviting，half，repellingthehesitatingvisitor，who，ifhebeasyetuninitiated，examinesoneoftheoldgarnetbroochesinthewindowforaminute，ortwowithaffectedeagerness，asifhecontemplatedmakinga，purchase;andthenlookingcautiouslyroundtoascertainthatno，onewatcheshim，hastilyslinksin：，thedoorclosingofitself，afterhim，tojustitsformerwidth。Theshopfrontandthe，window-framesbearevidentmarksofhavingbeenoncepainted;but，whatthecolourwasoriginally，oratwhatdateitwasprobably，laidon，areatthisremoteperiodquestionswhichmaybeasked，butcannotbeanswered。Traditionstatesthatthetransparencyin，thefrontdoor，whichdisplaysatnightthreeredballsonablue，ground，onceborealso，inscribedingracefulwaves，thewords，’Moneyadvancedonplate，jewels，wearingapparel，andevery，descriptionofproperty，’butafewillegiblehieroglyphicsareall，thatnowremaintoattestthefact。Theplateandjewelswould，seemtohavedisappeared，togetherwiththeannouncement，forthe，articlesofstock，whicharedisplayedinsomeprofusioninthe，window，donotincludeanyveryvaluableluxuriesofeitherkind。

Afewoldchinacups;somemodernvases，adornedwithpaltry，paintingsofthreeSpanishcavaliersplayingthreeSpanishguitars;

orapartyofboorscarousing：，eachboorwithonelegpainfully，elevatedintheair，bywayofexpressinghisperfectfreedomand，gaiety;severalsetsofchessmen，twoorthreeflutes，afew，fiddles，around-eyedportraitstaringinastonishmentfromavery，darkground;somegaudily-boundprayer-booksandtestaments，two，rowsofsilverwatchesquiteasclumsyandalmostaslargeas，Ferguson’sfirst;numerousold-fashionedtableandteaspoons，displayed，fan-like，inhalf-dozens;stringsofcoralwithgreat，broadgiltsnaps;cardsofringsandbrooches，fastenedand，labelledseparately，liketheinsectsintheBritishMuseum;cheap，silverpenholdersandsnuff-boxes，withamasonicstar，complete，thejewellerydepartment;whilefiveorsixbedsinsmearyclouded，ticks，stringsofblanketsandsheets，silkandcotton，handkerchiefs，andwearingapparelofeverydescription，formthe，moreuseful，thoughevenlessornamental，part，ofthearticles，exposedforsale。Anextensivecollectionofplanes，chisels，saws，andothercarpenters’tools，whichhavebeenpledged，and，neverredeemed，formtheforegroundofthepicture;whilethelarge，framesfullofticketedbundles，whicharedimlyseenthroughthe，dirtycasementup-stairs-thesqualidneighbourhood-the，adjoininghouses，straggling，shrunken，androtten，withoneortwo，filthy，unwholesome-lookingheadsthrustoutofeverywindow，and，oldredpansandstuntedplantsexposedonthetotteringparapets，tothemanifesthazardoftheheadsofthepassers-by-thenoisy，menloiteringunderthearchwayatthecornerofthecourt，or，aboutthegin-shopnextdoor-andtheirwivespatientlystanding，onthecurb-stone，withlargebasketsofcheapvegetablesslung，roundthemforsale，areitsimmediateauxiliaries。

Iftheoutsideofthepawnbroker’sshopbecalculatedtoattract，theattention，orexcitetheinterest，ofthespeculative，pedestrian，itsinteriorcannotfailtoproducethesameeffectin，anincreaseddegree。Thefrontdoor，whichwehavebeforenoticed，opensintothecommonshop，whichistheresortofallthose，customerswhosehabitualacquaintancewithsuchscenesrendersthem，indifferenttotheobservationoftheircompanionsinpoverty。The，sidedooropensintoasmallpassagefromwhichsomehalf-dozen，doors(whichmaybesecuredontheinsidebybolts)openintoa，correspondingnumberoflittledens，orclosets，whichfacethe，counter。Here，themoretimidorrespectableportionofthecrowd，shroudthemselvesfromthenoticeoftheremainder，andpatiently，waituntilthegentlemanbehindthecounter，withthecurlyblack，hair，diamondring，anddoublesilverwatch-guard，shallfeel，disposedtofavourthemwithhisnotice-aconsummationwhich，dependsconsiderablyonthetemperoftheaforesaidgentlemanfor，thetimebeing。

Atthepresentmoment，thiselegantly-attiredindividualisinthe，actofenteringtheduplicatehehasjustmadeout，inathick，book：，aprocessfromwhichheisdivertedoccasionally，bya，conversationheiscarryingonwithanotheryoungmansimilarly，employedatalittledistancefromhim，whoseallusionsto’that，lastbottleofsoda-waterlastnight，’and’howregularlyroundmy，hathefelthimselfwhentheyoung’oomangave’emincharge，’

wouldappeartorefertotheconsequencesofsomestolenjoviality，oftheprecedingevening。Thecustomersgenerally，however，seem，unabletoparticipateintheamusementderivablefromthissource，foranoldsallow-lookingwoman，whohasbeenleaningwithboth，armsonthecounterwithasmallbundlebeforeher，forhalfan，hourpreviously，suddenlyinterruptstheconversationbyaddressing，the，jewelledshopman-’Now，Mr。Henry，domakehaste，there’sa，goodsoul，formytwograndchildren’slockedupathome，andI’m，afeer’dofthefire。’，Theshopmanslightlyraiseshishead，with，anairofdeepabstraction，andresumeshisentrywithasmuch，deliberationasifhewereengraving。’You’reinahurry，Mrs。

Tatham，thisev’nin’，an’tyou？’istheonlynoticehedeignsto，take，afterthelapseoffiveminutesorso。’Yes，Iamindeed，Mr。Henry;now，doservemenext，there’sagoodcreetur。I

wouldn’tworryyou，onlyit’sallalongo’thembotherin’

children。’，’Whathaveyougothere？’inquirestheshopman，unpinningthebundle-’oldconcern，Isuppose-pairo’staysand，apetticut。Youmustlookupsomethin’else，old’ooman;Ican’t，lendyouanythingmoreuponthem;they’recompletelywornoutby，thistime，ifit’sonlybyputtingin，andtakingoutagain，three，timesaweek。’，’Oh！you’rearumun，youare，’repliestheold，woman，laughingextremely，asindutybound;’IwishI’dgotthe，giftofthegablikeyou;seeifI’dbeupthespoutsooftenthen！

No，no;itan’tthepetticut;it’sachild’sfrockandabeautiful，silkankecher，asbelongstomyhusband。Hegavefourshillin’for，it，thewerrysameblesseddayashebrokehisarm。’-’Whatdoyou，wantuponthese？’inquiresMr。Henry，slightlyglancingatthe，articles，whichinallprobabilityareoldacquaintances。’Whatdo，youwantuponthese？’-’Eighteenpence。’-’Lendyouninepence。’-

’Oh，makeitashillin’;there’sadear-donow？’-’Notanother，farden。’-’Well，IsupposeImusttakeit。’，Theduplicateismade，out，oneticketpinnedontheparcel，theothergiventotheold，woman;theparcelisflungcarelesslydownintoacorner，andsome，othercustomerprefershisclaimtobeservedwithoutfurther，delay。

Thechoicefallsonanunshaven，dirty，sottish-lookingfellow，whosetarnishedpaper-cap，stucknegligentlyoveroneeye，communicatesanadditionallyrepulsiveexpressiontohisvery，uninvitingcountenance。Hewasenjoyingalittlerelaxationfrom，hissedentarypursuitsaquarterofanhourago，inkickinghis，wifeupthecourt。Hehascometoredeemsometools：-probablyto，completeajobwith，onaccountofwhichhehasalreadyreceived，somemoney，ifhisinflamedcountenanceanddrunkenstaggersmaybe，takenasevidenceofthefact。Havingwaitedsomelittletime，he，makeshispresenceknownbyventinghisill-humouronaragged，urchin，who，beingunabletobringhisfaceonalevelwiththe，counterbyanyotherprocess，hasemployedhimselfinclimbingup，andthenhookinghimselfonwithhiselbows-anuneasyperch，from，whichhehasfallenatintervals，generallyalightingonthetoes，ofthepersoninhisimmediatevicinity。Inthepresentcase，the，unfortunatelittlewretchhasreceivedacuffwhichsendshim，reelingtothisdoor;andthedonoroftheblowisimmediatelythe，objectofgeneralindignation。

’Whatdoyoustriketheboyfor，youbrute？’exclaimsaslipshod，woman，withtwoflatironsinalittlebasket。’Doyouthinkhe’s，yourwife，youwillin？’，’Goandhangyourself！’repliesthe，gentlemanaddressed，withadrunkenlookofsavagestupidity，aimingatthesametimeablowatthewomanwhichfortunately，missesitsobject。’Goandhangyourself;andwaittillIcomeand，cutyoudown。’-’Cutyoudown，’rejoinsthewoman，’IwishIhad，thecuttingofyouup，youwagabond！(loud。)，Oh！youprecious，wagabond！(ratherlouder。)，Where’syourwife，youwillin？(louder，still;womenofthisclassarealwayssympathetic，andwork，themselvesintoatremendouspassionontheshortestnotice。)，Your，poordearwifeasyouusesworsernoradog-strikeawoman-you，aman！(veryshrill;)IwishIhadyou-I’dmurderyou，Iwould，ifIdiedforit！’-’Nowbecivil，’retortsthemanfiercely。’Be，civil，youwiper！’ejaculatesthewomancontemptuously。’An’tit，shocking？’shecontinues，turninground，andappealingtoanold，womanwhoispeepingoutofoneofthelittleclosetswehave，beforedescribed，andwhohasnottheslightestobjectiontojoin，intheattack，possessing，asshedoes，thecomfortableconviction，thatsheisboltedin。’Ain’titshocking，ma’am？，(Dreadful！says，theoldwomaninaparenthesis，notexactlyknowingwhatthe，questionrefersto。)，He’sgotawife，ma’am，astakesinmangling，andisas’dustriousandhard-workingayoung’oomanascanbe，(veryfast)aslivesinthebackparlourofour’ous，whichmy，husbandandmelivesinthefrontone(withgreatrapidity)-and，wehearshimabeaten’onhersometimeswhenhecomeshomedrunk，thewholenightthrough，andnotonlyabeaten’her，butbeaten’

hisownchildtoo，tomakehermoremiserable-ugh，youbeast！and，she，poorcreater，won’tswearthepeaceaginhim，nordonothin’，becauseshelikesthewretcharterall-worseluck！’，Here，asthe，womanhascompletelyrunherselfoutofbreath，thepawnbroker，himself，whohasjustappearedbehindthecounterinagray，dressing-gown，embracesthefavourableopportunityofputtingina，word：-’NowIwon’thavenoneofthissortofthingonmy，premises！’heinterposeswithanairofauthority。’Mrs。Mackin，keepyourselftoyourself，oryoudon’tgetfourpenceforaflat，ironhere;andJinkins，youleaveyourticketheretillyou’re，sober，andsendyourwifeforthemtwoplanes，forIwon’thaveyou，inmyshopatnoprice;somakeyourselfscarce，beforeImakeyou，scarcer。’

Thiseloquentaddressproducesanythingbuttheeffectdesired;the，womenrailinconcert;themanhitsabouthiminalldirections，andisintheactofestablishinganindisputableclaimto，gratuitouslodgingsforthenight，whentheentranceofhiswife，a，wretched，worn-outwoman，apparentlyinthelaststageof，consumption，whosefacebearsevidentmarksofrecentill-usage，andwhosestrengthseemshardlyequaltotheburden-lightenough，Godknows！-ofthethin，sicklychildshecarriesinherarms，turnshiscowardlyrageinasaferdirection。’Comehome，dear，’

criesthemiserablecreature，inanimploringtone;’DOcomehome，there’sagoodfellow，andgotobed。’-’Gohomeyourself，’

rejoinsthefuriousruffian。’Docomehomequietly，’repeatsthe，wife，burstingintotears。’Gohomeyourself，’retortsthehusband，again，enforcinghisargumentbyablowwhichsendsthepoor，creatureflyingoutoftheshop。Her’naturalprotector’follows，herupthecourt，alternatelyventinghisrageinacceleratingher，progress，andinknockingthelittlescantybluebonnetofthe，unfortunatechildoveritsstillmorescantyandfaded-looking，face。

Inthelastbox，whichissituatedinthedarkestandmostobscure，corneroftheshop，considerablyremovedfromeitherofthegas-

lights，areayoungdelicategirlofabouttwenty，andanelderly，female，evidentlyhermotherfromtheresemblancebetweenthem，who，standatsomedistanceback，asiftoavoidtheobservationevenof，theshopman。Itisnottheirfirstvisittoapawnbroker’sshop，fortheyanswerwithoutamoment’shesitationtheusualquestions，putinaratherrespectfulmanner，andinamuchlowertonethan，usual，of’WhatnameshallIsay？-Yourownproperty，ofcourse？-

Wheredoyoulive？-Housekeeperorlodger？’，Theybargain，too，forahigherloanthantheshopmanisatfirstinclinedtooffer，whichaperfectstrangerwouldbelittledisposedtodo;andthe，elderfemaleurgesherdaughteron，inscarcelyaudiblewhispers，toexertherutmostpowersofpersuasiontoobtainanadvanceof，thesum，andexpatiateonthevalueofthearticlestheyhave，broughttoraiseapresentsupplyupon。Theyareasmallgold，chainanda’Forgetmenot’ring：，thegirl’sproperty，forthey，arebothtoosmallforthemother;givenherinbettertimes;

prized，perhaps，once，forthegiver’ssake，butpartedwithnow，withoutastruggle;forwanthashardenedthemother，andher，examplehashardenedthegirl，andtheprospectofreceivingmoney，coupledwitharecollectionofthemiserytheyhavebothendured，fromthewantofit-thecoldnessofoldfriends-thestern，refusalofsome，andthestillmoregallingcompassionofothers-

appearstohaveobliteratedtheconsciousnessofself-humiliation，whichtheideaoftheirpresentsituationwouldoncehavearoused。

Inthenextbox，isayoungfemale，whoseattire，miserablypoor，butextremelygaudy，wretchedlycold，butextravagantlyfine，too，plainlybespeaksherstation。Therichsatingownwithitsfaded，trimmings，theworn-outthinshoes，andpinksilkstockings，the，summerbonnetinwinter，andthesunkenface，whereadaubofrouge，onlyservesasanindextotheravagesofsquanderedhealthnever，toberegained，andlosthappinessnevertoberestored，andwhere，thepractisedsmileisawretchedmockeryofthemiseryofthe，heart，cannotbemistaken。Thereissomethingintheglimpseshe，hasjustcaughtofheryoungneighbour，andinthesightofthe，littletrinketsshehasofferedinpawn，thatseemstohave，awakenedinthiswoman’smindsomeslumberingrecollection，andto，havechanged，foraninstant，herwholedemeanour。Herfirsthasty，impulsewastobendforwardasiftoscanmoreminutelythe，appearanceofherhalf-concealedcompanions;hernext，onseeing，theminvoluntarilyshrinkfromher，toretreattothebackofthe，box，coverherfacewithherhands，andburstintotears。

Therearestrangechordsinthehumanheart，whichwillliedormant，throughyearsofdepravityandwickedness，butwhichwillvibrate，atlasttosomeslightcircumstanceapparentlytrivialinitself，butconnectedbysomeundefinedandindistinctassociation，with，pastdaysthatcanneverberecalled，andwithbitterrecollections，fromwhichthemostdegradedcreatureinexistencecannotescape。

Therehasbeenanotherspectator，inthepersonofawomaninthe，commonshop;thelowestofthelow;dirty，unbonneted，flaunting，andslovenly。Hercuriositywasatfirstattractedbythelittle，shecouldseeofthegroup;thenherattention。Thehalf-

intoxicatedleerchangedtoanexpressionofsomethinglike，interest，andafeelingsimilartothatwehavedescribed，appeared，foramoment，andonlyamoment，toextenditselfeventoher，bosom。

Whoshallsayhowsoonthesewomenmaychangeplaces？，Thelasthas，buttwomorestages-thehospitalandthegrave。Howmanyfemales，situatedashertwocompanionsare，andasshemayhavebeenonce，haveterminatedthesamewretchedcourse，inthesamewretched，manner！，Oneisalreadytracingherfootstepswithfrightful，rapidity。Howsoonmaytheotherfollowherexample！，Howmany，havedonethesame！

CHAPTERXXIV-CRIMINALCOURTS

Weshallneverforgetthemingledfeelingsofaweandrespectwith，whichweusedtogazeontheexteriorofNewgateinourschoolboy，days。Howdreadfulitsroughheavywalls，andlowmassivedoors，appearedtous-thelatterlookingasiftheyweremadeforthe，expresspurposeoflettingpeoplein，andneverlettingthemout，again。Thenthefettersoverthedebtors’door，whichweusedto，thinkwereaBONAFIDEsetofirons，justhungupthere，for，convenience’sake，readytobetakendownatamoment’snotice，and，rivetedonthelimbsofsomerefractoryfelon！，Wewerenevertired，ofwonderinghowthehackney-coachmenontheoppositestandcould，cutjokesinthepresenceofsuchhorrors，anddrinkpotsofhalf-

and-halfsonearthelastdrop。

Oftenhavewestrayedhere，insessionstime，tocatchaglimpseof，thewhipping-place，andthatdarkbuildingononesideoftheyard，inwhichiskeptthegibbetwithallitsdreadfulapparatus，andon，thedoorofwhichwehalfexpectedtoseeabrassplate，withthe，inscription’Mr。Ketch;’forweneverimaginedthatthe，distinguishedfunctionarycouldbypossibilityliveanywhereelse！

Thedaysofthesechildishdreamshavepassedaway，andwiththem，manyotherboyishideasofagayernature。Butwestillretainso，muchofouroriginalfeeling，thattothishourweneverpassthe，buildingwithoutsomethinglikeashudder。

WhatLondonpedestrianistherewhohasnot，atsometimeorother，castahurriedglancethroughthewicketatwhichprisonersare，admittedintothisgloomymansion，andsurveyedthefewobjectshe，coulddiscern，withanindescribablefeelingofcuriosity？，The，thickdoor，platedwithironandmountedwithspikes，justlow，enoughtoenableyoutosee，leaningoverthem，anill-looking，fellow，inabroad-brimmedhat，Belcherhandkerchiefandtop-boots：

withabrowncoat，somethingbetweenagreat-coatanda’sporting’

jacket，onhisback，andanimmensekeyinhislefthand。Perhaps，youareluckyenoughtopass，justasthegateisbeingopened;

then，youseeontheothersideofthelodge，anothergate，the，imageofitspredecessor，andtwoorthreemoreturnkeys，wholook，likemultiplicationsofthefirstone，seatedroundafirewhich，justlightsupthewhitewashedapartmentsufficientlytoenableyou，tocatchahastyglimpseofthesedifferentobjects。Wehavea，greatrespectforMrs。Fry，butshecertainlyoughttohavewritten，moreromancesthanMrs。Radcliffe。

WewerewalkingleisurelydowntheOldBailey，sometimeago，when，aswepassedthisidenticalgate，itwasopenedbytheofficiating，turnkey。Weturnedquicklyround，asamatterofcourse，andsaw，twopersonsdescendingthesteps。Wecouldnothelpstoppingand，observingthem。

Theywereanelderlywoman，ofdecentappearance，thoughevidently，poor，andaboyofaboutfourteenorfifteen。Thewomanwascrying，bitterly;shecarriedasmallbundleinherhand，andtheboy，followedatashortdistancebehindher。Theirlittlehistorywas，obvious。Theboywasherson，towhoseearlycomfortshehad，perhapssacrificedherown-forwhosesakeshehadbornemisery，withoutrepining，andpovertywithoutamurmur-lookingsteadily，forwardtothetime，whenhewhohadsolongwitnessedher，strugglesforhimself，mightbeenabledtomakesomeexertionsfor，theirjointsupport。Hehadformeddissoluteconnexions;idleness，hadledtocrime;andhehadbeencommittedtotakehistrialfor，somepettytheft。Hehadbeenlonginprison，and，afterreceiving，sometriflingadditionalpunishment，hadbeenorderedtobe，dischargedthatmorning。Itwashisfirstoffence，andhispoor，oldmother，stillhopingtoreclaimhim，hadbeenwaitingatthe，gatetoimplorehimtoreturnhome。

Wecannotforgettheboy;hedescendedthestepswithadogged，look，shakinghisheadwithanairofbravadoandobstinate，determination。Theywalkedafewpaces，andpaused。Thewomanput，herhanduponhisshoulderinanagonyofentreaty，andtheboy，sullenlyraisedhisheadasifinrefusal。Itwasabrilliant，morning，andeveryobjectlookedfreshandhappyinthebroad，gay，sunlight;hegazedroundhimforafewmoments，bewilderedwiththe，brightnessofthescene，foritwaslongsincehehadbeheld，anythingsavethegloomywallsofaprison。Perhapsthe，wretchednessofhismothermadesomeimpressionontheboy’sheart;

perhapssomeundefinedrecollectionofthetimewhenhewasahappy，child，andshehisonlyfriend，andbestcompanion，crowdedonhim，-heburstintotears;andcoveringhisfacewithonehand，and，hurriedlyplacingtheotherinhismother’s，walkedawaywithher。

CuriosityhasoccasionallyledusintobothCourtsattheOld，Bailey。Nothingissolikelytostrikethepersonwhoentersthem，forthefirsttime，asthecalmindifferencewithwhichthe，proceedingsareconducted;everytrialseemsamerematterof，business。Thereisagreatdealofform，butnocompassion;

considerableinterest，butnosympathy。TaketheOldCourtfor，example。Theresitthejudges，withwhosegreatdignityeverybody，isacquainted，andofwhomthereforeweneedsaynomore。Then，thereistheLordMayorinthecentre，lookingascoolasaLord，MayorCANlook，withanimmenseBOUQUETbeforehim，andhabitedin，allthesplendourofhisoffice。Then，therearetheSheriffs，who，arealmostasdignifiedastheLordMayorhimself;andthe，Barristers，whoarequitedignifiedenoughintheirownopinion;

andthespectators，whohavingpaidfortheiradmission，lookupon，thewholesceneasifitweregotupespeciallyfortheir，amusement。LookuponthewholegroupinthebodyoftheCourt-

somewhollyengrossedinthemorningpapers，otherscarelessly，conversinginlowwhispers，andothers，again，quietlydozingaway，anhour-andyoucanscarcelybelievethattheresultofthetrial，isamatteroflifeordeathtoonewretchedbeingpresent。But，turnyoureyestothedock;watchtheprisonerattentivelyfora，fewmoments;andthefactisbeforeyou，inallitspainful，reality。Markhowrestlesslyhehasbeenengagedforthelastten，minutes，informingallsortsoffantasticfigureswiththeherbs，whicharestrewedupontheledgebeforehim;observetheashy，palenessofhisfacewhenaparticularwitnessappears，andhowhe，changeshispositionandwipeshisclammyforehead，andfeverish，hands，whenthecasefortheprosecutionisclosed，asifitwerea，relieftohimtofeelthatthejuryknewtheworst。

Thedefenceisconcluded;thejudgeproceedstosumupthe，evidence;andtheprisonerwatchesthecountenancesofthejury，as，adyingman，clingingtolifetotheverylast，vainlylooksinthe，faceofhisphysicianforaslightrayofhope。Theyturnroundto，consult;youcanalmostheartheman’sheartbeat，ashebitesthe，stalkofrosemary，withadesperateefforttoappearcomposed。

Theyresumetheirplaces-adeadsilenceprevailsastheforeman，deliversintheverdict-’Guilty！’，Ashriekburstsfromafemale，inthegallery;theprisonercastsonelookatthequarterfrom，whencethenoiseproceeded;andisimmediatelyhurriedfromthe，dockbythegaoler。Theclerkdirectsoneoftheofficersofthe，Courtto’takethewomanout，’andfreshbusinessisproceeded，with，asifnothinghadoccurred。

Noimaginarycontrasttoacaselikethis，couldbeascompleteas，thatwhichisconstantlypresentedintheNewCourt，thegravityof，whichisfrequentlydisturbedinnosmalldegree，bythecunning，andpertinacityofjuvenileoffenders。Aboyofthirteenistried，sayforpickingthepocketofsomesubjectofherMajesty，andthe，offenceisaboutasclearlyprovedasanoffencecanbe。Heis，calleduponforhisdefence，andcontentshimselfwithalittle，declamationaboutthejurymenandhiscountry-assertsthatall，thewitnesseshavecommittedperjury，andhintsthatthepolice，forcegenerallyhaveenteredintoaconspiracy’again’him。

Howeverprobablethisstatementmaybe，itfailstoconvincethe，Court，andsomesuchsceneasthefollowingthentakesplace：

COURT：，Haveyouanywitnessestospeaktoyourcharacter，boy？

BOY：，Yes，myLord;fifteengen’lm’nisavatenoutside，andvosa，vatenalldayyesterday，vichtheytoldmethenightaforemytrial，vosacomin’on。

COURT。Inquireforthesewitnesses。

Here，astoutbeadlerunsout，andvociferatesforthewitnessesat，theverytopofhisvoice;foryouhearhiscrygrowfainterand，fainterashedescendsthestepsintothecourt-yardbelow。After，anabsenceoffiveminutes，hereturns，verywarmandhoarse，and，informstheCourtofwhatitknewperfectlywellbefore-namely，thattherearenosuchwitnessesinattendance。Hereupon，theboy，setsupamostawfulhowling;screwsthelowerpartofthepalmsof，hishandsintothecornersofhiseyes;andendeavourstolookthe，pictureofinjuredinnocence。Thejuryatoncefindhim’guilty，’

andhisendeavourstosqueezeoutatearortwoareredoubled。The，governorofthegaolthenstates，inreplytoaninquiryfromthe，bench，thattheprisonerhasbeenunderhiscaretwicebefore。

Thistheurchinresolutelydeniesinsomesuchtermsas-’S’elp，me，gen’lm’n，Inevervosintroubleafore-indeed，myLord，I

nevervos。It’sallahowentomyhavingatwinbrother，vichhas，wrongfullygotintotrouble，andvichissoexactlylikeme，that，novuneverknowsthedifferenceatweenus。’

Thisrepresentation，likethedefence，failsinproducingthe，desiredeffect，andtheboyissentenced，perhaps，tosevenyears’

transportation。Findingitimpossibletoexcitecompassion，he，givesventtohisfeelingsinanimprecationbearingreferenceto，theeyesof’oldbigvig！’andashedeclinestotakethetrouble，ofwalkingfromthedock，isforthwithcarriedout，congratulating，himselfonhavingsucceededingivingeverybodyasmuchtroubleas，possible。

CHAPTERXXV-AVISITTONEWGATE

’Theforceofhabit’isatritephraseineverybody’smouth;andit，isnotalittleremarkablethatthosewhouseitmostasappliedto，others，unconsciouslyaffordintheirownpersonssingularexamples，ofthepowerwhichhabitandcustomexerciseoverthemindsofmen，andofthelittlereflectiontheyareapttobestowonsubjects，withwhicheveryday’sexperiencehasrenderedthemfamiliar。If，BedlamcouldbesuddenlyremovedlikeanotherAladdin’spalace，and，setdownonthespacenowoccupiedbyNewgate，scarcelyonemanout，ofahundred，whoseroadtobusinesseverymorningliesthrough，Newgate-street，ortheOldBailey，wouldpassthebuildingwithout，bestowingahastyglanceonitssmall，gratedwindows，anda，transientthoughtupontheconditionoftheunhappybeingsimmured，initsdismalcells;andyetthesesamemen，daybyday，andhour，byhour，passandrepassthisgloomydepositoryoftheguiltand，miseryofLondon，inoneperpetualstreamoflifeandbustle，utterlyunmindfulofthethrongofwretchedcreaturespentup，withinit-nay，notevenknowing，oriftheydo，notheeding，the，fact，thatastheypassoneparticularangleofthemassivewall，withalightlaughoramerrywhistle，theystandwithinoneyard，ofafellow-creature，boundandhelpless，whosehoursarenumbered，fromwhomthelastfeeblerayofhopehasfledforever，andwhose，miserablecareerwillshortlyterminateinaviolentandshameful，death。Contactwithdeatheveninitsleastterribleshape，is，solemnandappalling。Howmuchmoreawfulisittoreflectonthis，nearvicinitytothedying-tomeninfullhealthandvigour，in，theflowerofyouthortheprimeoflife，withalltheirfaculties，andperceptionsasacuteandperfectasyourown;butdying，nevertheless-dyingassurely-withthehandofdeathimprinted，uponthemasindelibly-asifmortaldiseasehadwastedtheir，framestoshadows，andcorruptionhadalreadybegun！

Itwaswithsomesuchthoughtsasthesethatwedetermined，not，manyweekssince，tovisittheinteriorofNewgate-inanamateur，capacity，ofcourse;and，havingcarriedourintentionintoeffect，weproceedtolayitsresultsbeforeourreaders，inthehope-

foundedmoreuponthenatureofthesubject，thanonany，presumptuousconfidenceinourowndescriptivepowers-thatthis，papermaynotbefoundwhollydevoidofinterest。Wehaveonlyto，premise，thatwedonotintendtofatiguethereaderwithany，statisticalaccountsoftheprison;theywillbefoundatlengthin，numerousreportsofnumerouscommittees，andavarietyof，authoritiesofequalweight。Wetooknonotes，madenomemoranda，measurednoneoftheyards，ascertainedtheexactnumberofinches，innoparticularroom：，areunableeventoreportofhowmany，apartmentsthegaoliscomposed。

Wesawtheprison，andsawtheprisoners;andwhatwedidsee，and，whatwethought，wewilltellatonceinourownway。

Havingdeliveredourcredentialstotheservantwhoansweredour，knockatthedoorofthegovernor’shouse，wewereusheredintothe，’office;’alittleroom，ontheright-handsideasyouenter，with，twowindowslookingintotheOldBailey：，fitteduplikean，ordinaryattorney’soffice，ormerchant’scounting-house，withthe，usualfixtures-awainscotedpartition，ashelfortwo，adesk，a，coupleofstools，apairofclerks，analmanack，aclock，andafew，maps。Afteralittledelay，occasionedbysendingintothe，interioroftheprisonfortheofficerwhosedutyitwastoconduct，us，thatfunctionaryarrived;arespectable-lookingmanofabout，twoorthreeandfifty，inabroad-brimmedhat，andfullsuitof，black，who，butforhiskeys，wouldhavelookedquiteasmuchlike，aclergymanasaturnkey。Weweredisappointed;hehadnoteven，top-bootson。Followingourconductorbyadooroppositetothat，atwhichwehadentered，wearrivedatasmallroom，withoutany，otherfurniturethanalittledesk，withabookforvisitors’

autographs，andashelf，onwhichwereafewboxesforpapers，and，castsoftheheadsandfacesofthetwonotoriousmurderers，Bishop，andWilliams;theformer，inparticular，exhibitingastyleofhead，andsetoffeatures，whichmighthaveaffordedsufficientmoral，groundsforhisinstantexecutionatanytime，evenhadtherebeen，nootherevidenceagainsthim。Leavingthisroomalso，byan，oppositedoor，wefoundourselfinthelodgewhichopensontheOld，Bailey;onesideofwhichisplentifullygarnishedwithachoice，collectionofheavysetsofirons，includingthosewornbythe，redoubtableJackSheppard-genuine;andthoseSAIDtohavebeen，gracedbythesturdylimbsofthenolesscelebratedDickTurpin-

doubtful。Fromthislodge，aheavyoakengate，boundwithiron，studdedwithnailsofthesamematerial，andguardedbyanother，turnkey，opensonafewsteps，ifwerememberright，which，terminateinanarrowanddismalstonepassage，runningparallel，withtheOldBailey，andleadingtothedifferentyards，througha，numberoftortuousandintricatewindings，guardedintheirturnby，hugegatesandgratings，whoseappearanceissufficienttodispel，atoncetheslightesthopeofescapethatanynew-comermayhave，entertained;andtheveryrecollectionofwhich，oneventually，traversingtheplaceagain，involvesoneinamazeofconfusion。

Itisnecessarytoexplainhere，thatthebuildingsintheprison，orinotherwordsthedifferentwards-formasquare，ofwhichthe，foursidesabutrespectivelyontheOldBailey，theoldCollegeof，Physicians(nowformingapartofNewgate-market)，theSessions-

house，andNewgate-street。Theintermediatespaceisdividedinto，severalpavedyards，inwhichtheprisonerstakesuchairand，exerciseascanbehadinsuchaplace。Theseyards，withthe，exceptionofthatinwhichprisonersundersentenceofdeathare，confined(ofwhichweshallpresentlygiveamoredetailed，description)，runparallelwithNewgate-street，andconsequently，fromtheOldBailey，asitwere，toNewgate-market。Thewomen’s，sideisintherightwingoftheprisonnearesttheSessions-house。

Aswewereintroducedintothispartofthebuildingfirst，wewill，adoptthesameorder，andintroduceourreaderstoitalso。

Turningtotheright，then，downthepassagetowhichwejustnow，adverted，omittinganymentionofinterveninggates-forifwe，noticedeverygatethatwasunlockedforustopassthrough，and，lockedagainassoonaswehadpassed，weshouldrequireagateat，everycomma-wecametoadoorcomposedofthickbarsofwood，throughwhichwerediscernible，passingtoandfroinanarrow，yard，sometwentywomen：，themajorityofwhom，however，assoonas，theywereawareofthepresenceofstrangers，retreatedtotheir，wards。Onesideofthisyardisrailedoffataconsiderable，distance，andformedintoakindofironcage，aboutfivefeetten，inchesinheight，roofedatthetop，anddefendedinfrontbyiron，bars，fromwhichthefriendsofthefemaleprisonerscommunicate，withthem。Inonecornerofthissingular-lookingden，wasa，yellow，haggard，decrepitoldwoman，inatatteredgownthathad，oncebeenblack，andtheremainsofanoldstrawbonnet，withfaded，ribbonofthesamehue，inearnestconversationwithayounggirl-

aprisoner，ofcourse-ofabouttwo-and-twenty。Itisimpossible，toimagineamorepoverty-strickenobject，oracreaturesoborne，downinsoulandbody，byexcessofmiseryanddestitution，asthe，oldwoman。Thegirlwasagood-looking，robustfemale，witha，profusionofhairstreamingaboutinthewind-forshehadno，bonneton-andaman’ssilkpocket-handkerchieflooselythrown，overamostamplepairofshoulders。Theoldwomanwastalkingin，thatlow，stifledtoneofvoicewhichtellssoforciblyofmental，anguish;andeverynowandthenburstintoanirrepressiblesharp，abruptcryofgrief，themostdistressingsoundthatearscanhear。

Thegirlwasperfectlyunmoved。Hardenedbeyondallhopeof，redemption，shelisteneddoggedlytohermother’sentreaties，whatevertheywere：，and，beyondinquiringafter’Jem，’andeagerly，catchingatthefewhalfpencehermiserableparenthadbroughther，tooknomoreapparentinterestintheconversationthanthemost，unconcernedspectators。Heavenknowstherewereenoughofthem，in，thepersonsoftheotherprisonersintheyard，whowerenomore，concernedbywhatwaspassingbeforetheireyes，andwithintheir，hearing，thaniftheywereblindanddeaf。Whyshouldtheybe？

Insidetheprison，andout，suchscenesweretoofamiliartothem，toexciteevenapassingthought，unlessofridiculeorcontempt，forfeelingswhichtheyhadlongsinceforgotten。

Alittlefartheron，asqualid-lookingwomaninaslovenly，thick-

borderedcap，withherarmsmuffledinalargeredshawl，the，fringedendsofwhichstragglednearlytothebottomofadirty，whiteapron，wascommunicatingsomeinstructionstoHERvisitor-

herdaughterevidently。Thegirlwasthinlyclad，andshakingwith，thecold。Someordinarywordofrecognitionpassedbetweenherand，hermotherwhensheappearedatthegrating，butneitherhope，condolence，regret，noraffectionwasexpressedoneitherside。

Themotherwhisperedherinstructions，andthegirlreceivedthem，withherpinched-up，half-starvedfeaturestwistedintoan，expressionofcarefulcunning。Itwassomeschemeforthewoman’s，defencethatshewasdisclosing，perhaps;andasullensmilecame，overthegirl’sfaceforaninstant，asifshewerepleased：，not，somuchattheprobabilityofhermother’sliberation，asatthe，chanceofher’gettingoff’inspiteofherprosecutors。The，dialoguewassoonconcluded;andwiththesamecareless，indifferencewithwhichtheyhadapproachedeachother，themother，turnedtowardstheinnerendoftheyard，andthegirltothegate，atwhichshehadentered。

Thegirlbelongedtoaclass-unhappilybuttooextensive-the，veryexistenceofwhich，shouldmakemen’sheartsbleed。Barely，pastherchildhood，itrequiredbutaglancetodiscoverthatshe，wasoneofthosechildren，bornandbredinneglectandvice，who，haveneverknownwhatchildhoodis：，whohaveneverbeentaughtto，loveandcourtaparent’ssmile，ortodreadaparent’sfrown。The，thousandnamelessendearmentsofchildhood，itsgaietyandits，innocence，arealikeunknowntothem。Theyhaveenteredatonce，uponthesternrealitiesandmiseriesoflife，andtotheirbetter，natureitisalmosthopelesstoappealinafter-times，byanyof，thereferenceswhichwillawaken，ifitbeonlyforamoment，some，goodfeelinginordinarybosoms，howevercorrupttheymayhave，become。TalktoTHEMofparentalsolicitude，thehappydaysof，childhood，andthemerrygamesofinfancy！，Tellthemofhungerand，thestreets，beggaryandstripes，thegin-shop，thestation-house，andthepawnbroker’s，andtheywillunderstandyou。

Twoorthreewomenwerestandingatdifferentpartsofthegrating，conversingwiththeirfriends，butaverylargeproportionofthe，prisonersappearedtohavenofriendsatall，beyondsuchoftheir，oldcompanionsasmighthappentobewithinthewalls。So，passing，hastilydowntheyard，andpausingonlyforaninstanttonotice，thelittleincidentswehavejustrecorded，wewereconductedupa，cleanandwell-lightedflightofstonestairstooneofthewards。

Thereareseveralinthispartofthebuilding，butadescription，ofoneisadescriptionofthewhole。

Itwasaspacious，bare，whitewashedapartment，lighted，ofcourse，bywindowslookingintotheinterioroftheprison，butfarmore，lightandairythanonecouldreasonablyexpecttofindinsucha，situation。Therewasalargefirewithadealtablebeforeit，roundwhichtenoradozenwomenwereseatedonwoodenformsat，dinner。Alongbothsidesoftheroomranashelf;belowit，at，regularintervals，arowoflargehookswerefixedinthewall，on，eachofwhichwashungthesleepingmatofaprisoner：，herrugand，blanketbeingfoldedup，andplacedontheshelfabove。Atnight，thesematsareplacedonthefloor，eachbeneaththehookonwhich，ithangsduringtheday;andthewardisthusmadetoanswerthe，purposesbothofaday-roomandsleepingapartment。Overthe，fireplace，wasalargesheetofpasteboard，onwhichweredisplayed，avarietyoftextsfromScripture，whichwerealsoscatteredabout，theroominscrapsaboutthesizeandshapeofthecopy-slipswhich，areusedinschools。Onthetablewasasufficientprovisionofa，kindofstewedbeefandbrownbread，inpewterdishes，whichare，keptperfectlybright，anddisplayedonshelvesingreatorderand，regularitywhentheyarenotinuse。

Thewomenrosehastily，onourentrance，andretiredinahurried，mannertoeithersideofthefireplace。Theywereallcleanly-

manyofthemdecently-attired，andtherewasnothingpeculiar，eitherintheirappearanceordemeanour。Oneortworesumedthe，needleworkwhichtheyhadprobablylaidasideatthecommencement，oftheirmeal;othersgazedatthevisitorswithlistless，curiosity;andafewretiredbehindtheircompanionstothevery，endoftheroom，asifdesiroustoavoideventhecasual，observationofthestrangers。SomeoldIrishwomen，bothinthis，andotherwards，towhomthethingwasnonovelty，appeared，perfectlyindifferenttoourpresence，andremainedstandingclose，totheseatsfromwhichtheyhadjustrisen;butthegeneral，feelingamongthefemalesseemedtobeoneofuneasinessduringthe，periodofourstayamongthem：，whichwasverybrief。Notaword，wasutteredduringthetimeofourremaining，unless，indeed，by，thewardswomaninreplytosomequestionwhichweputtothe，turnkeywhoaccompaniedus。Ineverywardonthefemaleside，a，wardswomanisappointedtopreserveorder，andasimilarregulation，isadoptedamongthemales。Thewardsmenandwardswomenareall，prisoners，selectedforgoodconduct。Theyaloneareallowedthe，privilegeofsleepingonbedsteads;asmallstumpbedsteadbeing，placedineverywardforthatpurpose。Onbothsidesofthegaol，isasmallreceiving-room，towhichprisonersareconductedon，theirfirstreception，andwhencetheycannotberemoveduntilthey，havebeenexaminedbythesurgeonoftheprison。(2)

Retracingourstepstothedismalpassageinwhichwefound，ourselvesatfirst(andwhich，by-the-bye，containsthreeorfour，darkcellsfortheaccommodationofrefractoryprisoners)，wewere，ledthroughanarrowyardtothe’school’-aportionoftheprison，setapartforboysunderfourteenyearsofage。Inatolerable-

sizedroom，inwhichwerewriting-materialsandsomecopy-books，wastheschoolmaster，withacoupleofhispupils;theremainder，havingbeenfetchedfromanadjoiningapartment，thewholewere，drawnupinlineforourinspection。Therewerefourteenofthem，inall，somewithshoes，somewithout;someinpinaforeswithout，jackets，othersinjacketswithoutpinafores，andoneinscarce，anythingatall。Thewholenumber，withoutanexceptionwe，believe，hadbeencommittedfortrialonchargesofpocket-picking;

andfourteensuchterriblelittlefacesweneverbeheld-There，wasnotoneredeemingfeatureamongthem-notaglanceofhonesty，-notawinkexpressiveofanythingbutthegallowsandthehulks，inthewholecollection。Astoanythinglikeshameorcontrition，thatwasentirelyoutofthequestion。Theywereevidentlyquite，gratifiedatbeingthoughtworththetroubleoflookingat;their，ideaappearedtobe，thatwehadcometoseeNewgateasagrand，affair，andthattheywereanindispensablepartoftheshow;and，everyboyashe’fellin’totheline，actuallyseemedaspleased，andimportantasifhehaddonesomethingexcessivelymeritorious，ingettingthereatall。Weneverlookeduponamoredisagreeable，sight，becauseweneversawfourteensuchhopelesscreaturesof，neglect，before。

Oneithersideoftheschool-yardisayardformen，inoneof，which-thattowardsNewgate-street-prisonersofthemore，respectableclassareconfined。Oftheother，wehavelittle，descriptiontooffer，asthedifferentwardsnecessarilypartakeof，thesamecharacter。Theyareprovided，likethewardsonthe，women’sside，withmatsandrugs，whicharedisposedofinthesame，mannerduringtheday;theonlyverystrikingdifferencebetween，theirappearanceandthatofthewardsinhabitedbythefemales，is，theutterabsenceofanyemployment。Huddledtogetherontwo，oppositeforms，bythefireside，sittwentymenperhaps;here，a，boyinlivery;there，amaninaroughgreat-coatandtop-boots;

fartheron，adesperate-lookingfellowinhisshirt-sleeves，with，anoldScotchcapuponhisshaggyhead;nearhimagain，atall，ruffian，inasmock-frock;nexttohim，amiserablebeingof，distressedappearance，withhisheadrestingonhishand;-all，alikeinonerespect，allidleandlistless。Whentheydoleave，thefire，saunteringmoodilyabout，lounginginthewindow，or，leaningagainstthewall，vacantlyswingingtheirbodiestoand，fro。Withtheexceptionofamanreadinganoldnewspaper，intwo，orthreeinstances，thiswasthecaseineverywardweentered。

Theonlycommunicationthesemenhavewiththeirfriends，is，throughtwocloseirongratings，withanintermediatespaceof，aboutayardinwidthbetweenthetwo，sothatnothingcanbe，handedacross，norcantheprisonerhaveanycommunicationbytouch，withthepersonwhovisitshim。Themarriedmenhaveaseparate，grating，atwhichtoseetheirwives，butitsconstructionisthe，same。

Theprisonchapelissituatedatthebackofthegovernor’shouse：

thelatterhavingnowindowslookingintotheinteriorofthe，prison。Whethertheassociationsconnectedwiththeplace-the，knowledgethathereaportionoftheburialserviceis，onsome，dreadfuloccasions，performedoverthequickandnotuponthedead，-castoveritastillmoregloomyandsombreairthanarthas，impartedtoit，weknownot，butitsappearanceisverystriking。

Thereissomethinginasilentanddesertedplaceofworship，solemnandimpressiveatanytime;andtheverydissimilarityof，thisonefromanywehavebeenaccustomedto，onlyenhancesthe，impression。Themeannessofitsappointments-thebareandscanty，pulpit，withthepaltrypaintedpillarsoneitherside-the，women’sgallerywithitsgreatheavycurtain-themen’swithits，unpaintedbenchesanddingyfront-thetotteringlittletableat，thealtar，withthecommandmentsonthewallaboveit，scarcely，legiblethroughlackofpaint，anddustanddamp-sounlikethe，velvetandgilding，themarbleandwood，ofamodernchurch-are，strangeandstriking。Thereisoneobject，too，whichrivetsthe，attentionandfascinatesthegaze，andfromwhichwemayturn，horror-strickeninvain，fortherecollectionofitwillhauntus，wakingandsleeping，foralongtimeafterwards。Immediatelybelow，thereading-desk，onthefloorofthechapel，andformingthemost，conspicuousobjectinitslittlearea，isTHECONDEMNEDPEW;ahuge，blackpen，inwhichthewretchedpeople，whoaresingledoutfor，death，areplacedontheSundayprecedingtheirexecution，insight，ofalltheirfellow-prisoners，frommanyofwhomtheymayhavebeen，separatedbutaweekbefore，tohearprayersfortheirownsouls，tojoinintheresponsesoftheirownburialservice，andtolisten，toanaddress，warningtheirrecentcompanionstotakeexampleby，theirfate，andurgingthemselves，whilethereisyettime-nearly，four-and-twentyhours-to’turn，andfleefromthewrathtocome！’

Imaginewhathavebeenthefeelingsofthemenwhomthatfearful，pewhasenclosed，andofwhom，betweenthegallowsandtheknife，nomortalremnantmaynowremain！，Thinkofthehopelessclinging，tolifetothelast，andthewilddespair，farexceedinginanguish，thefelon’sdeathitself，bywhichtheyhaveheardthecertaintyof，theirspeedytransmissiontoanotherworld，withalltheircrimes，upontheirheads，rungintotheirearsbytheofficiating，clergyman！

Atonetime-andatnodistantperiodeither-thecoffinsofthe，menabouttobeexecuted，wereplacedinthatpew，upontheseatby，theirside，duringthewholeservice。Itmayseemincredible，but，itistrue。Letushopethattheincreasedspiritofcivilisation，andhumanitywhichabolishedthisfrightfulanddegradingcustom，mayextenditselftootherusagesequallybarbarous;usageswhich，havenoteventhepleaofutilityintheirdefence，aseveryyear’s，experiencehasshownthemtobemoreandmoreinefficacious。

Leavingthechapel，descendingtothepassagesofrequentlyalluded，to，andcrossingtheyardbeforenoticedasbeingallottedto，prisonersofamorerespectabledescriptionthanthegeneralityof，menconfinedhere，thevisitorarrivesatathickirongateof，greatsizeandstrength。Havingbeenadmittedthroughitbythe，turnkeyonduty，heturnssharproundtotheleft，andpauses，beforeanothergate;and，havingpassedthislastbarrier，he，standsinthemostterriblepartofthisgloomybuilding-the，condemnedward。

Thepress-yard，wellknownbynametonewspaperreaders，fromits，frequentmentioninaccountsofexecutions，isatthecornerofthe，building，andnexttotheordinary’shouse，inNewgate-street：

runningfromNewgate-street，towardsthecentreoftheprison，parallelwithNewgate-market。Itisalong，narrowcourt，ofwhich，aportionofthewallinNewgate-streetformsoneend，andthegate，theother。Attheupperend，onthelefthand-thatis，adjoining，thewallinNewgate-street-isacisternofwater，andatthe，bottomadoublegrating(ofwhichthegateitselfformsapart)

similartothatbeforedescribed。Throughthesegratesthe，prisonersareallowedtoseetheirfriends;aturnkeyalways，remaininginthevacantspacebetween，duringthewholeinterview。

Immediatelyontherightasyouenter，isabuildingcontainingthe，press-room，day-room，andcells;theyardisoneveryside，surroundedbyloftywallsguardedbyCHEVAUXDEFRISE;andthe，wholeisundertheconstantinspectionofvigilantandexperienced，turnkeys。

Inthefirstapartmentintowhichwewereconducted-whichwasat，thetopofastaircase，andimmediatelyoverthepress-room-were，five-and-twentyorthirtyprisoners，allundersentenceofdeath，awaitingtheresultoftherecorder’sreport-menofallagesand，appearances，fromahardenedoldoffenderwithswarthyfaceand，grizzlybeardofthreedays’growth，toahandsomeboy，not，fourteenyearsold，andofsingularlyyouthfulappearanceevenfor，thatage，whohadbeencondemnedforburglary。Therewasnothing，remarkableintheappearanceoftheseprisoners。Oneortwo，decently-dressedmenwerebroodingwithadejectedairoverthe，fire;severallittlegroupsoftwoorthreehadbeenengagedin，conversationattheupperendoftheroom，orinthewindows;and，theremainderwerecrowdedroundayoungmanseatedatatable，who，appearedtobeengagedinteachingtheyoungeronestowrite。The，roomwaslarge，airy，andclean。Therewasverylittleanxietyor，mentalsufferingdepictedinthecountenanceofanyofthemen;-

theyhadallbeensentencedtodeath，itistrue，andthe，recorder’sreporthadnotyetbeenmade;but，wequestionwhether，therewasamanamongthem，notwithstanding，whodidnotKNOWthat，althoughhehadundergonetheceremony，itneverwasintendedthat，hislifeshouldbesacrificed。OnthetablelayaTestament，but，therewerenotokensofitshavingbeeninrecentuse。