AUTHOR’SPREFACE。

THEEXPERIENCESRELATEDinthisvolumefelltomeinthesummerof1902。Iwentdownintotheunder-worldofLondonwithanattitudeofmindwhichImaybestlikentothatoftheexplorer。Iwasopentobeconvincedbytheevidenceofmyeyes，ratherthanbytheteachingsofthosewhohadnotseen，orbythewordsofthosewhohadseenandgonebefore。Further，Itookwithmecertainsimplecriteriawithwhichtomeasurethelifeoftheunder-world。Thatwhichmadeformorelife，forphysicalandspiritualhealth，wasgood；

thatwhichmadeforlesslife，whichhurt，anddwarfed，anddistortedlife，wasbad。

ItwillbereadilyapparenttothereaderthatIsawmuchthatwasbad。YetitmustnotbeforgottenthatthetimeofwhichIwritewasconsidered’goodtimes’inEngland。ThestarvationandlackofshelterIencounteredconstitutedachronicconditionofmiserywhichisneverwipedout，evenintheperiodsofgreatestprosperity。

Followingthesummerinquestioncameahardwinter。Tosuchanextentdidthesufferingandpositivestarvationincreasethatsocietywasunabletocopewithit。Greatnumbersoftheunemployedformedintoprocessions，asmanyasadozenatatime，anddailymarchedthroughthestreetsofLondoncryingforbread。Mr。JustinMcCarthy，writinginthemonthofJanuary，1903，totheNewYorkIndependent，brieflyepitomizesthesituationasfollows：-

’Theworkhouseshavenospaceleftinwhichtopackthestarvingcrowdswhoarecravingeverydayandnightattheirdoorsforfoodandshelter。AllthecharitableinstitutionshaveexhaustedtheirmeansintryingtoraisesuppliesoffoodforthefamishingresidentsofthegarretsandcellarsofLondonlanesandalleys。ThequartersoftheSalvationArmyinvariouspartsofLondonarenightlybesiegedbyhostsoftheunemployedandthehungryforwhomneithershelternorthemeansofsustenancecanbeprovided。’

IthasbeenurgedthatthecriticismIhavepassedonthingsastheyareinEnglandistoopessimistic。Imustsay，inextenuation，thatofoptimistsIamthemostoptimistic。ButImeasuremanhoodlessbypoliticalaggregationsthanbyindividuals。Societygrows，whilepoliticalmachinesracktopiecesandbecome’scrap。’FortheEnglish，sofarasmanhoodandwomanhoodandhealthandhappinessgo，Iseeabroadandsmilingfuture。Butforagreatdealofthepoliticalmachinery，whichatpresentmismanagesforthem，Iseenothingelsethanthescrapheap。

JACKLONDON。

Piedmont，California。

CHAPTERONE。

TheDescent。

Christlookuponusinthiscity，AndkeepoursympathyandpityFresh，andourfacesheavenward，Lestwegrowhard-

THOMASASHE。

’BUTYOUCAN’TDOIT，youknow，’friendssaid，towhomIappliedforassistanceinthematterofsinkingmyselfdownintotheEastEndofLondon。’Youhadbetterseethepoliceforaguide，’theyadded，onsecondthought，painfullyendeavoringtoadjustthemselvestothepsychologicalprocessesofamadmanwhohadcometothemwithbettercredentialsthanbrains。

’ButIdon’twanttoseethepolice，’Iprotested。’WhatIwishtodo，istogodownintotheEastEndandseethingsformyself。I

wishtoknowhowthosepeoplearelivingthere，andwhytheyarelivingthere，andwhattheyarelivingfor。Inshort，Iamgoingtolivetheremyself。’

’Youdon’twanttolivedownthere！’everybodysaid，withdisapprobationwritlargeupontheirfaces。’Why，itissaidthereplaceswhereaman’slifeisn’tworthtu’pence。’

’TheveryplacesIwishtosee，’Ibrokein。

’Butyoucan’t，youknow，’wastheunfailingrejoinder。

’WhichisnotwhatIcametoseeyouabout，’Iansweredbrusquely，somewhatnettledbytheirincomprehension。’Iamastrangerhere，andIwantyoutotellmewhatyouknowoftheEastEnd，inorderthatImayhavesomethingtostarton。’

’ButweknownothingoftheEastEnd。Itisoverthere，somewhere。’Andtheywavedtheirhandsvaguelyinthedirectionwherethesunonrareoccasionsmaybeseentorise。

’ThenIshallgotoCook’s，’Iannounced。

’Oh，yes，’theysaid，withrelief。’Cook’swillbesuretoknow。’

ButOCook，OThomasCook&Son，pathfindersandtrail-clearers，livingsign-poststoalltheworldandbestowersoffirstaidtobewilderedtravellers-unhesitatinglyandinstantly，witheaseandcelerity，couldyousendmetoDarkestAfricaorInnermostThibet，buttotheEastEndofLondon，barelyastone’sthrowdistantfromLudgateCircus，youknownottheway！

’Youcan’tdoit，youknow，’saidthehumanemporiumofroutesandfaresatCook’sCheapsidebranch。’Itisso-ahem-sounusual。’

’Consultthepolice，’heconcludedauthoritatively，whenI

persisted。’WearenotaccustomedtotakingtravellerstotheEastEnd；wereceivenocalltotakethemthere，andweknownothingwhatsoeverabouttheplaceatall。’

’Nevermindthat，’Iinterposed，tosavemyselffrombeingsweptoutoftheofficebyhisfloodofnegations。’Here’ssomethingyoucandoforme。IwishyoutounderstandinadvancewhatIintenddoing，sothatincaseoftroubleyoumaybeabletoidentifyme。’

’Ah，Isee；shouldyoubemurdered，wewouldbeinpositiontoidentifythecorpse。’

Hesaiditsocheerfullyandcold-bloodedlythatontheinstantI

sawmystarkandmutilatedcadaverstretcheduponaslabwherecoolwaterstrickleceaselessly，andhimIsawbendingoverandsadlyandpatientlyidentifyingitasthebodyoftheinsaneAmericanwhowouldseetheEastEnd。

’No，no，’Ianswered；’merelytoidentifymeincaseIgetintoascrapewiththe"bobbies。"’ThislastIsaidwithathrill；truly，I

wasgrippingholdofthevernacular。

’That，’hesaid，’isamatterfortheconsiderationoftheChiefOffice。’

’Itissounprecedented，youknow，’headdedapologetically。

ThemanattheChiefOfficehemmedandhawed。’Wemakeitarule，’

heexplained，’togivenoinformationconcerningourclients。’

’Butinthiscase，’Iurged，’itistheclientwhorequestsyoutogivetheinformationconcerninghimself。’

Againhehemmedandhawed。

’Ofcourse，’Ihastilyanticipated，’Iknowitisunprecedented，but-’

’AsIwasabouttoremark，’hewentonsteadily，’itisunprecedented，andIdon’tthinkwecandoanythingforyou。’

However，IdepartedwiththeaddressofadetectivewholivedintheEastEnd，andtookmywaytotheAmericanconsul-general。Andhere，atlast，IfoundamanwithwhomIcould’dobusiness。’Therewasnohemmingandhawing，noliftedbrows，openincredulity，orblankamazement。InoneminuteIexplainedmyselfandmyproject，whichheacceptedasamatterofcourse。Inthesecondminuteheaskedmyage，height，andweight，andlookedmeover。Andinthethirdminute，asweshookhandsatparting，hesaid：’Allright，Jack。

I’llrememberyouandkeeptrack。’

Ibreathedasighofrelief。Havingbuiltmyshipsbehindme，I

wasnowfreetoplungeintothathumanwildernessofwhichnobodyseemedtoknowanything。ButatonceIencounteredanewdifficultyintheshapeofmycabby，agray-whiskeredandeminentlydecorouspersonage，whohadimperturbablydrivenmeforseveralhoursaboutthe’City。’

’DrivemedowntotheEastEnd，’Iordered，takingmyseat。

’Where，sir？’hedemandedwithfranksurprise。

’TotheEastEnd，anywhere。Goon。’

Thehansompursuedanaimlesswayforseveralminutes，thencametoapuzzledstop。Theapertureabovemyheadwasuncovered，andthecabmanpeereddownperplexedlyatme。

’Isay，’hesaid，’wotplyceyerwantergo？’

’EastEnd，’Irepeated。’Nowhereinparticular。Justdrivemearound，anywhere。’

’Butwot’sthehaddress，sir？’

’Seehere！’Ithundered。’DrivemedowntotheEastEnd，andatonce！’

Itwasevidentthathedidnotunderstand，buthewithdrewhisheadandgrumblinglystartedhishorse。

NowhereinthestreetsofLondonmayoneescapethesightofabjectpoverty，whilefiveminutes’walkfromalmostanypointwillbringonetoaslum；buttheregionmyhansomwasnowpenetratingwasoneunendingslum。Thestreetswerefilledwithanewanddifferentraceofpeople，shortofstature，andofwretchedorbeer-soddenappearance。Werolledalongthroughmilesofbricksandsqualor，andfromeachcrossstreetandalleyflashedlongvistasofbricksandmisery。Hereandtherelurchedadrunkenmanorwoman，andtheairwasobscenewithsoundsofjanglingandsquabbling。Atamarket，totteryoldmenandwomenweresearchinginthegarbagethrowninthemudforrottenpotatoes，beans，andvegetables，whilelittlechildrenclusteredlikefliesaroundafesteringmassoffruit，thrustingtheirarmstotheshouldersintotheliquidcorruption，anddrawingforthmorsels，butpartiallydecayed，whichtheydevouredonthespot。

NotahansomdidImeetwithinallmydrive，whileminewaslikeanapparitionfromanotherandbetterworld，thewaythechildrenranafteritandalongside。AndasfarasIcouldseewerethesolidwallsofbrick，theslimypavements，andthescreamingstreets；andforthefirsttimeinmylifethefearofthecrowdsmoteme。Itwaslikethefearofthesea；andthemiserablemultitudes，streetuponstreet，seemedsomanywavesofavastandmalodoroussea，lappingaboutmeandthreateningtowellupandoverme。

’Stepney，sir；StepneyStation，’thecabbycalleddown。

Ilookedabout。Itwasreallyarailroadstation，andhehaddrivendesperatelytoitastheonefamiliarspothehadeverheardofinallthatwilderness。

’Well？’Isaid。

Hesplutteredunintelligibly，shookhishead，andlookedverymiserable。’I’mastrynger’ere，’hemanagedtoarticulate。’An’ifyerdon’twantStepneyStation，I’mblessedifIknowwotcherdowant。’

’I’lltellyouwhatIwant，’Isaid。’Youdrivealongandkeepyoureyeoutforashopwhereoldclothesaresold。Now，whenyouseesuchashop，driverightontillyouturnthecorner，thenstopandletmeout。’

Icouldseethathewasgrowingdubiousofhisfare，butnotlongafterwardhepulleduptothecurbandinformedmethatanoldclothesshopwastobefoundabitofthewayback。

’Won’tcherpyme？’hepleaded。’There’ssevenan’sixowin’me。’

’Yes，’Ilaughed，’anditwouldbethelastI’dseeofyou。’

’Lordlumme，butit’llbethelastIseeofyouifyerdon’tpyme，’

heretorted。

Butacrowdofraggedonlookershadalreadygatheredaroundthecab，andIlaughedagainandwalkedbacktotheoldclothesshop。

HerethechiefdifficultywasinmakingtheshopmanunderstandthatIreallyandtrulywantedoldclothes。Butafterfruitlessattemptstopressuponmenewandimpossiblecoatsandtrousers，hebegantobringtolightheapsofoldones，lookingmysteriousthewhileandhintingdarkly。Thishedidwiththepalpableintentionoflettingmeknowthathehad’pipedmylay，’inordertobulldozeme，throughfearofexposure，intopayingheavilyformypurchases。A

manintrouble，orahigh-classcriminalfromacrossthewater，waswhathetookmymeasurefor-ineithercase，apersonanxioustoavoidthepolice。

ButIdisputedwithhimovertheoutrageousdifferencebetweenpricesandvalues，tillIquitedisabusedhimofthenotion，andhesettleddowntodriveahardbargainwithahardcustomer。IntheendIselectedapairofstoutthoughwell-worntrousers，afrayedjacketwithoneremainingbutton，apairofbroganswhichhadplainlyseenservicewherecoalwasshovelled，athinleatherbelt，andaverydirtyclothcap。Myunderclothingandsocks，however，werenewandwarm，butofthesortthatanyAmericanwaif，downinhisluck，couldacquireintheordinarycourseofevents。

’Imustsyyerasharp’un，’hesaid，withcounterfeitadmiration，asIhandedoverthetenshillingsfinallyagreeduponfortheoutfit。

’Blimey，ifyouain’tbenupan’downPetticutLaneaforenow。Yertrouseysiswuthfivebobtohanyman，an’adocker’udgivetwoan’

sixfortheshoes，tosynothin’ofthecoatan’capan’newstoker’ssingletan’hotherthings。’

’Howmuchwillyougivemeforthem？’Idemandedsuddenly。’Ipaidyoutenbobforthelot，andI’llsellthembacktoyou，rightnow，foreight。Come，it’sago！’

Buthegrinnedandshookhishead，andthoughIhadmadeagoodbargain，Iwasunpleasantlyawarethathehadmadeabetterone。

Ifoundthecabbyandapolicemanwiththeirheadstogether，butthelatter，afterlookingmeoversharplyandparticularlyscrutinizingthebundleundermyarm，turnedawayandleftthecabbytowaxmutinousbyhimself。AndnotastepwouldhebudgetillIpaidhimthesevenshillingsandsixpenceowinghim。Whereuponhewaswillingtodrivemetotheendsoftheearth，apologizingprofuselyforhisinsistence，andexplainingthatoneranacrossqueercustomersinLondonTown。

ButhedrovemeonlytoHighburyVale，inNorthLondon，wheremyluggagewaswaitingforme。Here，nextday，Itookoffmyshoes（notwithoutregretfortheirlightnessandcomfort），andmysoft，graytravellingsuit，and，infact，allmyclothing；andproceededtoarraymyselfintheclothesoftheotherandunimaginablemen，whomusthavebeenindeedunfortunatetohavehadtopartwithsuchragsforthepitiablesumsobtainablefromadealer。

Insidemystoker’ssinglet，inthearmpit，Isewedagoldsovereign（anemergencysumcertainlyofmodestproportions）；andinsidemystoker’ssingletIputmyself。AndthenIsatdownandmoralizeduponthefairyearsandfat，whichhadmademyskinsoftandbroughtthenervesclosetothesurface；forthesingletwasroughandraspyasahairshirt，andIamconfidentthatthemostrigorousofasceticssuffernomorethandidIintheensuingtwenty-fourhours。

Theremainderofmycostumewasfairlyeasytoputon，thoughthebrogans，orbrogues，werequiteaproblem。Asstiffandhardasifmadeofwood，itwasonlyafteraprolongedpoundingoftheupperswithmyfiststhatIwasabletogetmyfeetintothematall。Then，withafewshillings，aknife，ahandkerchief，andsomebrownpapersandflaketobaccostowedawayinmypockets，Ithumpeddownthestairsandsaidgood-bytomyforebodingfriends。AsIpassedoutthedoor，the’help，’acomelymiddle-agedwoman，couldnotconqueragrinthattwistedherlipsandseparatedthemtillthethroat，outofinvoluntarysympathy，madetheuncouthanimalnoiseswearewonttodesignateas’laughter。’

NosoonerwasIoutonthestreetsthanIwasimpressedbythedifferenceinstatuseffectedbymyclothes。AllservilityvanishedfromdemeanorofthecommonpeoplewithwhomIcameincontact。

Presto！inthetwinklingofaneye，sotosay，Ihadbecomeoneofthem。Myfrayedandout-at-elbowsjacketwasthebadgeandadvertisementofmyclass，whichwastheirclass。Itmademeoflikekind，andinplaceofthefawningandtoo-respectfulattentionIhadhithertoreceived，Inowsharedwiththemacomradeship。Themanincorduroyanddirtyneckerchiefnolongeraddressedmeas’sir’or’governor。’Itwas’mate，’now-andafineandheartyword，withatingletoit，andawarmthandgladness，whichtheothertermdoesnotpossess。Governor！Itsmacksofmastery，andpower，andhighauthority-thetributeofthemanwhoisundertothemanontop，deliveredinthehopethathewillletupabitandeasehisweight。

Whichisanotherwayofsayingthatitisanappealforalms。

ThisbringsmetoadelightIexperiencedinmyragsandtatterswhichisdeniedtheaverageAmericanabroad。TheEuropeantravellerfromtheStates，whoisnotaCroesus，speedilyfindshimselfreducedtoachronicstateofself-conscioussordidnessbythehordesofcringingrobberswhoclutterhisstepsfromdawntilldark，anddepletehispocketbookinawaythatputscompoundinteresttotheblush。

InmyragsandtattersIescapedthepestilenceoftipping，andencounteredmenonabasisofequality。Nay，beforethedaywasoutIturnedthetables，andsaid，mostgratefully，’Thankyou，sir，’toagentlemanwhosehorseIheld，andwhodroppedapennyintomyeagerpalm。

OtherchangesIdiscoveredwerewroughtinmyconditionbymynewgarb。IncrossingcrowdedthoroughfaresIfoundIhadtobe，ifanything，morelivelyinavoidingvehicles，anditwasstrikinglyimpresseduponmethatmylifehadcheapenedindirectratiowithmyclothes。Whenbefore，Iinquiredthewayofapoliceman，Iwasusuallyasked，’Bussor’ansom，sir？’Butnowthequerybecame，’Walkorride？’Also，attherailwaystationsitwastheruletobeasked，’Firstorsecond，sir？’NowIwasaskednothing，athird-classticketbeingshovedouttomeasamatterofcourse。

Buttherewascompensationforitall。ForthefirsttimeImettheEnglishlowerclassesfacetoface，andknewthemforwhattheywere。Whenloungersandworkmen，onstreetcornersandinpublichouses，talkedwithme，theytalkedasonemantoanother，andtheytalkedasnaturalmenshouldtalk，withouttheleastideaofgettinganythingoutofmeforwhattheytalkedorthewaytheytalked。

AndwhenatlastImadeintotheEastEnd，Iwasgratifiedtofindthatthefearofthecrowdnolongerhauntedme。Ihadbecomeapartofit。Thevastandmalodorousseahadwelledupandoverme，orIhadslippedgentlyintoit，andtherewasnothingfearsomeaboutit-

withtheoneexceptionofthestoker’ssinglet。

CHAPTERTWO。

JohnnyUpright。

Thepeopleliveinsqualiddens，wheretherecanbenohealthandnohope，butdoggeddiscontentattheirownlot，andfutilediscontentatthewealthwhichtheyseepossessedbyothers-

THOROLDROGERS。

ISHALLNOTGIVEYOUtheaddressofJohnnyUpright。LetitsufficethathelivesonthemostrespectablestreetintheEastEnd-astreetthatwouldbeconsideredverymeaninAmerica，butaveritableoasisinthedesertofEastLondon。Itissurroundedoneverysidebyclose-packedsqualorandstreetsjammedbyayoungandvileanddirtygeneration；butitsownpavementsarecomparativelybareofthechildrenwhohavenootherplacetoplay，whileithasanairofdesertion，sofewarethepeoplethatcomeandgo。

Eachhouseonthisstreet，asonallthestreets，isshouldertoshoulderwithitsneighbors。Toeachhousethereisbutoneentrance，thefrontdoor，andeachhouseisabouteighteenfeetwide，withabitofabrick-walledyardbehind，where，whenitisnotraining，onemaylookataslate-coloredsky。ButitmustbeunderstoodthatthisisEastEndopulencewearenowconsidering。Someofthepeopleonthisstreetareevensowell-to-doastokeepa’slavey。’JohnnyUprightkeepsone，asIwellknow，shebeingmyfirstacquaintanceinthisparticularportionoftheworld。

ToJohnnyUpright’shouseIcame，andtothedoorcamethe’slavey。’

Now，markyou，herpositioninlifewaspitiableandcontemptible，butitwaswithpityandcontemptthatshelookedatme。Sheevincedaplaindesirethatourconversationshouldbeshort。ItwasSunday，andJohnnyUprightwasnotathome，andthatwasalltherewastoit。

ButIlingered，discussingwhetherornotitwasalltherewastoit，tillMrs。JohnnyUprightwasattractedtothedoor，whereshescoldedthegirlfornothavingcloseditbeforeturningherattentiontome。

No，Mr。JohnnyUprightwasnotathome，andfurther，hesawnobodyonSunday。Itistoobad，saidI。WasIlookingforwork？No，quitetothecontrary；infact，IhadcometoseeJohnnyUprightonbusinesswhichmightbeprofitabletohim。

Achangecameoverthefaceofthingsatonce。Thegentlemaninquestionwasatchurch，butwouldbehomeinanhourorthereabouts，whennodoubthecouldbeseen。

WouldIkindlystepin？-no，theladydidnotaskme，thoughI

fishedforaninvitationbystatingthatIwouldgodowntothecornerandwaitinapublichouse。AnddowntothecornerIwent，but，itbeingchurchtime，the’pub’wasclosed。Amiserabledrizzlewasfalling，and，inlieuofbetter，Itookaseatonaneighborlydoorstepandwaited。

Andheretothedoorstepcamethe’slavey，’veryfrowzyandveryperplexed，totellmethatthemissuswouldletmecomebackandwaitinthekitchen。

’Somanypeoplecome’erelookin’forwork，’Mrs。JohnnyUprightapologeticallyexplained。’SoI’opeyouwon’tfeelbadthewayI

spoke。’

’Notatall，notatall，’Ireplied，inmygrandestmanner，forthenonceinvestingmyragswithdignity。’Iquiteunderstand，I

assureyou。Isupposepeoplelookingforworkalmostworryyoutodeath？’

’Thattheydo，’sheanswered，withaneloquentandexpressiveglance；andthereuponusheredmeinto，notthekitchen，butthediningroom-afavor，Itookit，inrecompenseformygrandmanner。

Thisdiningroom，onthesamefloorasthekitchen，wasaboutfourfeetbelowtheleveloftheground，andsodark（itwasmidday）thatI

hadtowaitaspaceformyeyestoadjustthemselvestothegloom。

Dirtylightfilteredinthroughawindow，thetopofwhichwasonalevelwiththesidewalk，andinthislightIfoundthatIwasabletoreadnewspaperprint。

Andhere，whilewaitingthecomingofJohnnyUpright，letmeexplainmyerrand。Whileliving，eating，andsleepingwiththepeopleoftheEastEnd，itwasmyintentiontohaveaportofrefuge，nottoofardistant，intowhichIcouldrunnowandagaintoassuremyselfthatgoodclothesandcleanlinessstillexisted。AlsoinsuchportI

couldreceivemymail，workupmynotes，andsallyforthoccasionallyinchangedgarbtocivilization。

Butthisinvolvedadilemma。Alodgingwheremypropertywouldbesafeimpliedalandladyapttobesuspiciousofagentlemanleadingadoublelife；whilealandladywhowouldnotbotherherheadoverthedoublelifeofherlodgerswouldimplylodgingswherepropertywasunsafe。ToavoidthedilemmawaswhathadbroughtmetoJohnnyUpright。Adetectiveofthirty-oddyears’continuousserviceintheEastEnd，knownfarandwidebyanamegivenhimbyaconvictedfeloninthedock，hewasjustthemantofindmeanhonestlandlady，andmakeherresteasyconcerningthestrangecomingsandgoingsofwhichImightbeguilty。

Histwodaughtersbeathimhomefromchurch，-andprettygirlstheywereintheirSundaydresses，withalitwasthecertainweakanddelicateprettinesswhichcharacterizestheCockneylasses，aprettinesswhichisnomorethanapromisewithnogripontime，anddoomedtofadequicklyawaylikethecolorfromasunsetsky。

Theylookedmeoverwithfrankcuriosity，asthoughIweresomesortofastrangeanimal，andthenignoredmeutterlyfortherestofmywait。ThenJohnnyUprighthimselfarrived，andIwassummonedupstairstoconferwithhim。

’Speakloud，’heinterruptedmyopeningwords。’I’vegotabadcold，andIcan’thearwell。’

ShadesofOldSleuthandSherlockHolmes！IwonderedastowheretheassistantwaslocatedwhosedutyitwastotakedownwhateverinformationImightloudlyvouchsafe。Andtothisday，muchasI

haveseenofJohnnyUprightandmuchasIhavepuzzledovertheincident，Ihaveneverbeenquiteabletomakeupmymindastowhetherornothehadacold，orhadanassistantplantedintheotherroom。ButofonethingIamsure；thoughIgaveJohnnyUprightthefactsconcerningmyselfandproject，hewithheldjudgmenttillnextday，whenIdodgedintohisstreetconventionallygarbedandinahansom。Thenhisgreetingwascordialenough，andIwentdownintothediningroomtojointhefamilyattea。

’Wearehumblehere，’hesaid，’notgiventotheflesh，andyoumusttakeusforwhatweare，inourhumbleway。’

Thegirlswereflushedandembarrassedatgreetingme，whilehedidnotmakeitanytheeasierforthem。

’Ha！ha！’heroaredheartily，slappingthetablewithhisopenhandtillthedishesrang。’Thegirlsthoughtyesterdayyouhadcometoaskforapieceofbread！Ha！ha！ho！ho！ho！’

Thistheyindignantlydenied，withsnappingeyesandguiltyredcheeks，asthoughitwereanessentialoftruerefinementtobeabletodiscernunderhisragsamanwhohadnoneedtogoragged。

Andthen，whileIatebreadandmarmalade，proceededaplayatcrosspurposes，thedaughtersdeemingitaninsulttomethatIshouldhavebeenmistakenforabeggar，andthefatherconsideringitasthehighestcomplimenttomyclevernesstosucceedinbeingsomistaken。AllofwhichIenjoyed，andthebread，themarmalade，andthetea，tillthetimecameforJohnnyUprighttofindmealodging，whichhedid，nothalfadozendoorsaway，onhisownrespectableandopulentstreet，inahouseasliketohisownasapeatoitsmate。

CHAPTERTHREE。

MyLodgingandSomeOthers。

Thepoor，thepoor，thepoor，theystand，WedgedbythepressingofTrade’shand，Againstaninward-openingdoorThatpressuretightensevermore；

Theysighamonstrous，foul-airsighFortheoutsideleaguesofliberty，Whereart，sweetlark，translatestheskyIntoaheavenlymelody-

SIDNEYLANIER。

FROMANEASTLONDONstandpoint，theroomIrentedforsixshillings，oradollarandahalf，perweekwasamostcomfortableaffair。FromtheAmericanstandpoint，ontheotherhand，itwasrudelyfurnished，uncomfortable，andsmall。BythetimeIhadaddedanordinarytypewritertabletoitsscantyfurnishing，Iwashardputtoturnaround；atthebest，Imanagedtonavigateitbyasortofvermicularprogressionrequiringgreatdexterityandpresenceofmind。

Havingsettledmyself，ormypropertyrather，Iputonmyknockaboutclothesandwentoutforawalk。Lodgingsbeingfreshinmymind，I

begantolookthemup，bearinginmindthehypothesisthatIwasapooryoungmanwithawifeandlargefamily。

Myfirstdiscoverywasthatemptyhouseswerefewandfarbetween。

Sofarbetween，infact，thatthoughIwalkedmilesinirregularcirclesoveralargearea，Istillremainedbetween。NotoneemptyhousecouldIfind-aconclusiveproofthatthedistrictwas’saturated。’

ItbeingplainthatasapooryoungmanwithafamilyIcouldrentnohousesatallinthismostundesirableregion，Inextlookedforrooms，unfurnishedrooms，inwhichIcouldstoremywifeandbabiesandchattels。Therewerenotmany，butIfoundthem，usuallyinthesingular，foroneappearstobeconsideredsufficientforapoorman’sfamilyinwhichtocookandeatandsleep。WhenIaskedfortworooms，thesubletteeslookedatmeverymuchinthemanner，Iimagine，thatacertainpersonagelookedatOliverTwistwhenheaskedformore。

Notonlywasoneroomdeemedsufficientforapoormanandhisfamily，butIlearnedthatmanyfamilies，occupyingsinglerooms，hadsomuchspacetospareastobeabletotakeinalodgerortwo。

Whensuchroomscanberentedforfrom75centsto$1。50perweek，itisafairconclusionthatalodgerwithreferencesshouldobtainfloorspacefor，sayfrom15to25cents。Hemayevenbeabletoboardwiththesubletteesforafewshillingsmore。This，however，I

failedtoinquireinto-areprehensibleerroronmypart，consideringthatIwasworkingonthebasisofahypotheticalfamily。

NotonlydidthehousesIinvestigatedhavenobath-tubs，butI

learnedthattherewerenobath-tubsinallthethousandsofhousesIhadseen。Underthecircumstances，withmywifeandbabiesandacoupleoflodgerssufferingfromthetoo-greatspaciousnessofoneroom，takingabathinatinwashbasinwouldbeanunfeasibleundertaking。But，itseems，thecompensationcomesinwiththesavingofsoap，soall’swell，andGod’sstillinheaven。Besides，sobeautifulistheadjustmentofallthingsinthisworld，hereinEastLondonitrainsnearlyeveryday，and，willy-nilly，ourbathswouldbeontapuponthestreet。

True，thesanitationoftheplacesIvisitedwaswretched。Fromtheimperfectsewageanddrainage，defectivetraps，poorventilation，dampness，andgeneralfoulness，Imightexpectmywifeandbabiesspeedilytobeattackedbydiphtheria，croup，typhoid，erysipelas，bloodpoisoning，bronchitis，pneumonia，consumption，andvariouskindreddisorders。Certainlythedeath-ratewouldbeexceedinglyhigh。Butobserveagainthebeautyoftheadjustment。

ThemostrationalactforapoormaninEastLondonwithalargefamilyistogetridofit；theconditionsinEastLondonaresuchthattheywillgetridofthelargefamilyforhim。Ofcourse，thereisthechancethathemayperishintheprocess。Adjustmentisnotsoapparentinthisevent；butitisthere，somewhere，Iamsure。

Andwhendiscovereditwillprovetobeaverybeautifulandsubtleadjustment，orelsethewholeschemegoesawryandsomethingiswrong。

However，Irentednorooms，butreturnedtomyowninJohnnyUpright’sstreet。Whatwithmywife，andbabies，andlodgers，andthevariouscubbyholesintowhichIhadfittedthem，mymind’seyehadbecomenarrow-angled，andIcouldnotquitetakeinallofmyownroomatonce。Theimmensityofitwasawe-inspiring。CouldthisbetheroomIhadrentedforsixshillingsaweek？Impossible！Butmylandlady，knockingatthedoortolearnifIwerecomfortable，dispelledmydoubts。

’Oh，yes，sir，’shesaid，inreplytoaquestion。’Thisstreetistheverylast。Alltheotherstreetswerelikethiseightortenyearsago，andallthepeoplewereveryrespectable。Buttheothershavedrivenourkindout。Thoseonthisstreetaretheonlyonesleft。It’sshocking，sir！’

Andthensheexplainedtheprocessofsaturation，bywhichtherentalvalueofaneighborhoodwentupwhileitstonewentdown。

’Yousee，sir，ourkindarenotusedtocrowdinginthewaytheothersdo。Weneedmoreroom。Theothers，theforeignersandlower-classpeople，cangetfiveandsixfamiliesintothishouse，whereweonlygetone。Sotheycanpaymorerentforthehousethanwecanafford。Itisshocking，sir；andjusttothink，onlyafewyearsagoallthisneighborhoodwasjustasniceasitcouldbe。’

Ilookedather。Herewasawoman，ofthefinestgradeoftheEnglishworkingclass，withnumerousevidencesofrefinement，beingslowlyengulfedbythatnoisomeandrottentideofhumanitywhichthepowersthatbearepouringeastwardoutofLondonTown。Bank，factory，hotel，andofficebuildingmustgoup，andthecitypoorfolkareanomadicbreed；sotheymigrateeastward，waveuponwave，saturatinganddegradingneighborhoodbyneighborhood，drivingthebetterclassofworkersbeforethemtopioneerontherimofthecity，ordraggingthemdown，ifnotinthefirstgeneration，surelyinthesecondandthird。

ItisonlyaquestionofmonthswhenJohnnyUpright’sstreetmustgo。Herealizesithimself。

’Inacoupleofyears，’hesays，’myleaseexpires。Mylandlordisoneofourkind。Hehasnotputuptherentonanyofhishouseshere，andthishasenabledustostay。Butanydayhemaysell，oranydayhemaydie，whichisthesamethingsofarasweareconcerned。Thehouseisboughtbyamoneybreeder，whobuildsasweatshoponthepatchofgroundattherearwheremygrapevineis，addstothehouse，andrentsitaroomtoafamily。Thereyouare，andJohnnyUpright’sgone！’

AndtrulyIsawJohnnyUpright，andhisgoodwifeandfairdaughters，andfrowzyslavey，likesomanyghosts，flittingeastwardthroughthegloom，themonstercityroaringattheirheels。

ButJohnnyUprightisnotaloneinhisflitting。Far，farout，onthefringeofthecity，livethesmallbusinessmen，littlemanagers，andsuccessfulclerks。Theydwellincottagesandsemidetachedvillas，withbitsofflowergarden，andelbowroom，andbreathingspace。TheyinflatethemselveswithprideandthrowchestswhentheycontemplatetheAbyssfromwhichtheyhaveescaped，andtheythankGodthattheyarenotasothermen。Andlo！downuponthemcomesJohnnyUprightandthemonstercityathisheels。Tenementsspringuplikemagic，gardensarebuiltupon，villasaredividedandsubdividedintomanydwellings，andtheblacknightofLondonsettlesdowninagreasypall。

CHAPTERFOUR。

AManandtheAbyss。

AfteramomentarysilencespakeSomevesselofamoreungainlymake；

Theysneeratmeforleaningallawry：

What！didthehandthenofthePottershake？-

OMARKHAYYAM。

’ISAY，CANYOULETALODGING？’

ThesewordsIdischargedcarelesslyovermyshoulderatastoutandelderlywoman，ofwhosefareIwaspartakinginagreasycoffee-housedownnearthePoolandnotveryfarfromLimehouse。

’Oh，yus，’sheansweredshortly，myappearancepossiblynotapproximatingthestandardofaffluencerequiredbyherhouse。

Isaidnomore，consumingmyrasherofbaconandpintofsicklyteainsilence。NordidshetakefurtherinterestinmetillIcametopaymyreckoning（fourpence），whenIpulledalloftenshillingsoutofmypocket。Theexpectedresultwasproduced。

’Yus，sir，’sheatoncevolunteered；’I’avenicelodgin’syou’dlikelytykeafancyto。Backfromavoyage，sir？’

’Howmuchforaroom？’Iinquired，ignoringhercuriosity。

Shelookedmeupanddownwithfranksurprise。’Idon’tletrooms，nottomyreg’larlodgers，muchlesscasuals。’

’ThenI’llhavetolookalongabit，’Isaid，withmarkeddisappointment。

Butthesightofmytenshillingshadmadeherkeen。’Icanletyou’aveanicebedinwithtwohothermen，’sheurged。’Goodrespectablemen，an’steady。’

’ButIdon’twanttosleepwithtwoothermen，’Iobjected。

’Youdon’t’aveto。There’sthreebedsintheroom，an’hit’snotaverysmallroom。’

’Howmuch？’Idemanded。

’Arfacrownaweek，twoan’six，toaregularlodger。You’llfancythemen，I’msure。Oneworksintheware’ouse，an’’e’sbinwithmetwoyears，now。An’thehother’sbinwithmesix。Sixyears，sir，an’twomonthscomin’nex’Saturday。

’’E’sascene-shifter，’shewenton。steady，respectableman，nevermissin’anight’sworkinthetime’e’sbinwithme。An’’elikesthe’ouse；’esaysasit’sthebest’ecandointhew’yoflodgin’s。Iboard’im，an’thehotherlodgerstoo。’

’Isupposehe’ssavingmoneyrightalong，’Iinsinuatedinnocently。

’Blessyou，no！Norcan’edoaswellhelsewherewith’ismoney。’

AndIthoughtofmyownspaciousWest，withroomunderitsskyandunlimitedairforathousandLondons；andherewasthisman，asteadyandreliableman，nevermissinganight’swork，frugalandhonest，lodginginoneroomwithtwoothermen，payingtwodollarsandahalfpermonthforit，andoutofhisexperienceadjudgingittobethebesthecoulddo！AndherewasI，onthestrengthofthetenshillingsinmypocket，abletoenterinwithmyragsandtakeupmybedwithhim。Thehumansoulisalonelything，butitmustbeverylonelysometimeswhentherearethreebedstoaroom，andcasualswithtenshillingsareadmitted。

’Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？’Iasked。

’Thirteenyears，sir；an’don’tyouthinkyou’llfancythelodgin’？’

Thewhileshetalkedshewasshufflingponderouslyaboutthesmallkitcheninwhichshecookedthefoodforherlodgerswhowerealsoboarders。WhenIfirstentered，shehadbeenhardatwork，norhadsheletuponcethroughouttheconversation。Undoubtedlyshewasabusywoman。’Upathalf-pastfive，’’tobedthelastthingatnight，’

’workin’fitterdrop，’thirteenyearsofit，andforreward，grayhairs，frowzyclothes，stoopedshoulders，slatternlyfigure，unendingtoilinafoulandnoisomecoffee-housethatfacedonanalleytenfeetbetweenthewalls，andawatersideenvironmentthatwasuglyandsickeningtosaytheleast。

’You’llbehinhagainto’avealook？’shequestionedwistfully，asIwentoutofthedoor。

AndasIturnedandlookedather，Irealizedtothefullthedeepertruthunderlyingthatverywiseoldmaxim：’Virtueisitsownreward。’

Iwentbacktoher。’Haveyouevertakenavacation？’Iasked。

’Vycytion！’

’Atriptothecountryforacoupleofdays，freshair，adayoff，youknow，arest。’

’Lor’lumme！’shelaughed，forthefirsttimestoppingfromherwork。’Avycytion，eh？forthelikeso’me？Justfancy，now！-Mindyerfeet！’-thislastsharply，andtome，asIstumbledovertherottenthreshold。

DownneartheWestIndiaDockIcameuponayoungfellowstaringdisconsolatelyatthemuddywater。Afireman’scapwaspulleddownacrosshiseyes，andthefitandsagofhisclotheswhisperedunmistakablyofthesea。

’Hello，mate，’Igreetedhim，sparringforabeginning。’CanyoutellmethewaytoWapping？’

’Workedyerwayoveronacattleboat？’hecountered，fixingmynationalityontheinstant。

Andthereuponweentereduponatalkthatextendeditselftoapublichouseandacoupleofpintsof’arfan’arf。’Thisledtocloserintimacy，sothatwhenIbroughttolightallofashilling’sworthofcoppers（ostensiblymyall），andputasidesixpenceforabed，andsixpenceformorearfan’arf，hegenerouslyproposedthatwedrinkupthewholeshilling。

’Mymate，’ecutuproughlas’night，’heexplained。’An’thebobbiesgot’m，soyoucanbunkinwi’me。Wotchersay？’

Isaidyes，andbythetimewehadsoakedourselvesinawholeshilling’sworthofbeer，andsleptthenightonamiserablebedinamiserableden，Iknewhimprettyfairlyforwhathewas。Andthatinonerespecthewasrepresentativeofalargebodyofthelower-classLondonworkman，mylaterexperiencesubstantiates。

HewasLondon-born，hisfatherafiremanandadrinkerbeforehim。

Asachild，hishomewasthestreetsandthedocks。Hehadneverlearnedtoread，andhadneverfelttheneedforit-avainanduselessaccomplishment，heheld，atleastforamanofhisstationinlife。

Hehadhadamotherandnumeroussquallingbrothersandsisters，allcrammedintoacoupleofroomsandlivingonpoorerandlessregularfoodthanhecouldordinarilyrustleforhimself。Infact，heneverwenthomeexceptatperiodswhenhewasunfortunateinprocuringhisownfood。Pettypilferingandbeggingalongthestreetsanddocks，atriportwotoseaasmess-boy，afewtripsmoreascoal-trimmer，andthen，afull-fledgedfireman，hehadreachedthetopofhislife。

Andinthecourseofthishehadalsohammeredoutaphilosophyoflife，anuglyandrepulsivephilosophy，butwithalaverylogicalandsensibleonefromhispointofview。WhenIaskedhimwhathelivedfor，heimmediatelyanswered，’Booze。’Avoyagetosea（foramanmustliveandgetthewherewithal），andthenthepayingoffandthebigdrunkattheend。Afterthat，haphazardlittledrunks，spongedinthe’pubs’frommateswithafewcoppersleft，likemyself，andwhenspongingwasplayedoutanothertriptoseaandarepetitionofthebeastlycycle。

’Butwomen，’Isuggested，whenhehadfinishedproclaimingboozethesoleendofexistence。

’Wimmen！’Hethumpedhispotuponthebarandoratedeloquently。

’Wimmenisathingmyedication’aslearntmet’letalone。Itdon’tpay，matey；itdon’tpay。Wot’samanlikemewanto’wimmen，eh？Jestyoutellme。Therewasmymar，shewasenough，a-bangin’thekidsaboutan’makin’theolemanmis’rablewhen’ecome’ome，w’ichwasseldom，Igrant。An’ferw’y？Becoso’mar！Shedidn’tmake’is’ome’appy，thatwasw’y。Then，there’stheotherwimmen，’owdotheytreataporestokerwithafewshillin’sin’istrouseys？Agooddrunkiswot’e’sgotin’ispockits，agoodlongdrunk，an’thewimmenskin’imoutof’ismoneysoquick’eain’t’ad’ardlyaglass。Iknow。

I’ve’admyflingan’Iknowwot’swot。

’An’Itellyou，where’swimmenistrouble-screechin’an’

carryin’on，fightin’，cuttin’，bobbies，magistrates，an’amonth’s’ardlaborbackofitall，an’nopay-daywhenyoucomeout。’

’Butawifeandchildren，’Iinsisted。’Ahomeofyourown，andallthat。Thinkofit，backfromavoyage，littlechildrenclimbingonyourknee，andthewifehappyandsmiling，andakissforyouwhenshelaysthetable，andakissallaroundfromthebabieswhentheygotobed，andthekettlesingingandthelongtalkafterwardofwhereyou’vebeenandwhatyou’veseen，andofherandallthelittlehappeningsathomewhileyou’vebeenaway，and-’

’Garn！’hecried，withaplayfulshoveofhisfistonmyshoulder。

’Wot’syergame，eh？Amissuskissin’，an’kidsclim’in’，an’kettlesingin’，allonfourpoun’tenamonthw’enyou’aveaship，an’

fournothin’w’enyou’aven’t。I’lltellyouwotI’dgetonfourpoun’

ten-amissusrowin’，kidssquallin’，nocoalt’makethekettlesing，an’thekettleupthespout，that’swotI’dget。Enought’makeablokebloomin’wellgladtobebackt’sea。Amissus！Wotfor？T’makeyoumis’rable？Kids？Jesttakemycounsel，matey，an’don’t’ave’em。Lookatme！Ican’avemybeerw’enIlike，an’noblessedmissusan’kidsa-cryin’forbread。I’m’appy，Iam，withmybeeran’mateslikeyou，an’agoodshipcomin’，an’anothertriptosea。SoIsay，let’s’aveanotherpint。Arfan’arf’sgoodenoughferme。’

Withoutgoingfurtherwiththespeechofthisyoungfellowoftwoandtwenty，IthinkIhavesufficientlyindicatedhisphilosophyoflifeandtheunderlyingeconomicreasonforit。Homelifehehadneverknown。Theword’home’arousednothingbutunpleasantassociations。Inthelowwagesofhisfather，andofothermeninthesamewalkinlife，hefoundsufficientreasonforbrandingwifeandchildrenasencumbrancesandcausesofmasculinemisery。Anunconscioushedonist，utterlyunmoralandmaterialistic，hesoughtthegreatestpossiblehappinessforhimself，andfounditindrink。

Ayoungsot；aprematurewreck；physicalinabilitytodoastoker’swork；thegutterortheworkhouse；andtheend，-hesawitall，asclearlyasI，butitheldnoterrorsforhim。Fromthemomentofhisbirth，alltheforcesofhisenvironmenthadtendedtohardenhim，andheviewedhiswretched，inevitablefuturewithacallousnessandunconcernIcouldnotshake。

Andyethewasnotabadman。Hewasnotinherentlyviciousandbrutal。Hehadnormalmentality，andamorethanaveragephysique。Hiseyeswereblueandround，shadedbylonglashes，andwideapart。Andtherewasalaughinthem，andafundofhumorbehind。Thebrowandgeneralfeaturesweregood，themouthandlipssweet，thoughalreadydevelopingaharshtwist。Thechinwasweak，butnottooweak；I

haveseenmensittinginthehighplaceswithweaker。

Hisheadwasshapely，andsogracefullywasitpoiseduponaperfectneckthatIwasnotsurprisedbyhisbodythatnightwhenhestrippedforbed。Ihaveseenmanymenstrip，ingymnasiumandtrainingquarters，menofgoodbloodandupbringing，butIhaveneverseenonewhostrippedtobetteradvantagethanthisyoungsotoftwoandtwenty，thisyounggoddoomedtorackandruininfourorfiveshortyears，andtopasshencewithoutposteritytoreceivethesplendidheritageitwashistobequeath。

Itseemedsacrilegetowastesuchlife，andyetIwasforcedtoconfessthathewasrightinnotmarryingonfourpoundteninLondonTown。Justasthescene-shifterwashappierinmakingbothendsmeetinaroomsharedwithtwoothermen，thanhewouldhavebeenhadhepackedafeeblefamilyalongwithacoupleofmenintoacheaperroom，andfailedinmakingbothendsmeet。

AnddaybydayIbecameconvincedthatnotonlyisitunwise，butitiscriminalforthepeopleoftheAbysstomarry。Theyarethestonesbythebuilderrejected。Thereisnoplacefortheminthesocialfabric，whilealltheforcesofsocietydrivethemdownwardtilltheyperish。AtthebottomoftheAbysstheyarefeeble，besotted，andimbecile。Iftheyreproduce，thelifeissocheapthatperforceitperishesofitself。Theworkoftheworldgoesonabovethem，andtheydonotcaretotakepartinit，noraretheyable。

Moreover，theworkoftheworlddoesnotneedthem。Thereareplenty，farfitterthanthey，clingingtothesteepslopeabove，andstrugglingfranticallytoslidenomore。

Inshort，theLondonAbyssisavastshambles。Yearbyyear，anddecadeafterdecade，ruralEnglandpoursinafloodofvigorousstronglife，thatnotonlydoesnotrenewitself，butperishesbythethirdgeneration。CompetentauthoritiesaverthattheLondonworkmanwhoseparentsandgrandparentswereborninLondonissoremarkableaspecimenthatheisrarelyfound。

Mr。A。C。Pigouhassaidthattheagedpoorandtheresiduumwhichcomposethe’submergedtenth，’constitute7and1/2percentofthepopulationofLondon。Whichistosaythatlastyear，andyesterday，andto-day，atthisverymoment，450，000ofthesecreaturesaredyingmiserablyatthebottomofthesocialpitcalled’London。’Astohowtheydie，Ishalltakeaninstancefromthismorning’spaper。

SELF-NEGLECT

YesterdayDr。WynnWestcottheldaninquestatShoreditch，respectingthedeathofElizabethCrews，aged77years，of32EastStreet，Holborn，whodiedonWednesdaylast。AliceMathiesonstatedthatshewaslandladyofthehousewheredeceasedlived。WitnesslastsawheraliveonthepreviousMonday。Shelivedquitealone。

Mr。FrancisBirch，relievingofficerfortheHolborndistrict，statedthatdeceasedhadoccupiedtheroominquestionfor35years。

Whenwitnesswascalled，onthe1st，hefoundtheoldwomaninaterriblestate，andtheambulanceandcoachmanhadtobedisinfectedaftertheremoval。Dr。ChaseFennellsaiddeathwasduetoblood-poisoningfrombed-sores，duetoself-neglectandfilthysurroundings，andthejuryreturnedaverdicttothateffect。

Themoststartlingthingaboutthislittleincidentofawoman’sdeathisthesmugcomplacencywithwhichtheofficialslookeduponitandrenderedjudgment。Thatanoldwomanofseventy-sevenyearsofageshoulddieofSELF-NEGLECTisthemostoptimisticwaypossibleoflookingatit。Itwastheolddeadwoman’sfaultthatshedied，andhavinglocatedtheresponsibility，societygoescontentedlyonaboutitsownaffairs。

Ofthe’submergedtenth，’Mr。Pigouhassaid：’Eitherthroughlackofbodilystrength，orofintelligence，oroffibre，orofallthree，theyareinefficientorunwillingworkers，andconsequentlyunabletosupportthemselves……Theyaresooftendegradedinintellectastobeincapableofdistinguishingtheirrightfromtheirlefthand，orofrecognizingthenumbersoftheirownhouses；

theirbodiesarefeebleandwithoutstamina，theiraffectionsarewarped，andtheyscarcelyknowwhatfamilylifemeans。’

Fourhundredandfiftythousandisawholelotofpeople。Theyoungfiremanwasonlyone，andittookhimsometimetosayhislittlesay。Ishouldnotliketohearthemalltalkatonce。I

wonderifGodhearsthem？

CHAPTERFIVE。

ThoseontheEdge。

IassureyouIfoundnothingworse，nothingmoredegrading，nothingsohopeless，nothingnearlysointolerablydullandmiserableasthelifeIleftbehindmeintheEastEndofLondon-

HUXLEY。

MYFIRSTIMPRESSIONOfEastLondonwasnaturallyageneralone。

Laterthedetailsbegantoappear，andhereandthereinthechaosofmiseryIfoundlittlespotswhereafairmeasureofhappinessreigned，-sometimeswholerowsofhousesinlittleout-of-the-waystreets，whereartisansdwellandwherearudesortoffamilylifeobtains。Intheeveningsthemencanbeseenatthedoors，pipesintheirmouthsandchildrenontheirknees，wivesgossiping，andlaughterandfungoingon。Thecontentofthesepeopleismanifestlygreat，for，relativetothewretchednessthatencompassesthem，theyarewelloff。

Butatthebest，itisadull，animalhappiness，thecontentofthefullbelly。Thedominantnoteoftheirlivesismaterialistic。

Theyarestupidandheavy，withoutimagination。TheAbyssseemstoexudeastupefyingatmosphereoftorpor，whichwrapsaboutthemanddeadensthem。Religionpassesthemby。TheUnseenholdsforthemneitherterrornordelight。TheyareunawareoftheUnseen；andthefullbellyandtheeveningpipe，withtheirregular’arfan’arf，’

isalltheydemand，ordreamofdemanding，fromexistence。

Thiswouldnotbesobadifitwereall；butitisnotall。Thesatisfiedtorporinwhichtheyaresunkisthedeadlyinertiathatprecedesdissolution。Thereisnoprogress，andwiththemnottoprogressistofallbackandintotheAbyss。Intheirownlivestheymayonlystarttofall，leavingthefalltobecompletedbytheirchildrenandtheirchildren’schildren。Manalwaysgetslessthanhedemandsfromlife；andsolittledotheydemand，thatthelessthanlittletheygetcannotsavethem。

Atthebest，citylifeisanunnaturallifeforthehuman；butthecitylifeofLondonissoutterlyunnaturalthattheaverageworkmanorworkwomancannotstandit。Mindandbodyaresappedbytheundermininginfluencesceaselesslyatwork。Moralandphysicalstaminaarebroken，andthegoodworkman，freshfromthesoil，becomesinthefirstcitygenerationapoorworkman；andbythesecondcitygeneration，devoidofpushandgoandinitiative，andactuallyunablephysicallytoperformthelaborhisfatherdid，heiswellonthewaytotheshamblesatthebottomoftheAbyss。

Ifnothingelse，theairhebreathes，andfromwhichheneverescapes，issufficienttoweakenhimmentallyandphysically，sothathebecomesunabletocompetewiththefreshvirilelifefromthecountryhasteningontoLondonTowntodestroyandbedestroyed。

LeavingoutthediseasegermsthatfilltheairoftheEastEnd，considerbuttheoneitemofsmoke。SirWilliamThistleton-Dyer，curatorofKewGardens，hasbeenstudyingsmokedepositsonvegetation，and，accordingtohiscalculations，nolessthansixtonsofsolidmatter，consistingofsootandtarryhydrocarbons，aredepositedeveryweekoneveryquarterofasquaremileinandaboutLondon。Thisisequivalenttotwenty-fourtonsperweektothesquaremile，or1248tonsperyeartothesquaremile。FromthecornicebelowthedomeofSt。Paul’sCathedralwasrecentlytakenasoliddepositofcrystallizedsulphateoflime。Thisdeposithadbeenformedbytheactionofthesulphuricacidintheatmosphereuponthecarbonateoflimeinthestone。AndthissulphuricacidintheatmosphereisconstantlybeingbreathedbytheLondonworkmenthroughallthedaysandnightsoftheirlives。

Itisincontrovertiblethatthechildrengrowupintorottenadults，withoutvirilityorstamina，a-weak-kneed，narrow-chested，listlessbreed，thatcrumplesupandgoesdowninthebrutestruggleforlifewiththeinvadinghordesfromthecountry。Therailwaymen，carriers，omnibusdrivers，cornandtimberporters，andallthosewhorequirephysicalstamina，arelargelydrawnfromthecountry；

whileintheMetropolitanPolicethereare，roughly，12，000

country-bornasagainst3，000London-born。

SooneisforcedtoconcludethattheAbyssisliterallyahugeman-killingmachine，andwhenIpassalongthelittleout-of-the-waystreetswiththefull-belliedartisansatthedoors，Iamawareofagreatersorrowforthemthanforthe450，000lostandhopelesswretchesdyingatthebottomofthepit。They，atleast，aredying，thatisthepoint；whilethesehaveyettogothroughtheslowandpreliminarypangsextendingthroughtwoandeventhreegenerations。

Andyetthequalityofthelifeisgood。Allhumanpotentialitiesareinit。Givenproperconditions，itcouldlivethroughthecenturies，andgreatmen，heroesandmasters，springfromitandmaketheworldbetterbyhavinglived。

Italkedwithawomanwhowasrepresentativeofthattypewhichhasbeenjerkedoutofitslittleout-of-the-waystreetsandhasstartedonthefatalfalltothebottom。HerhusbandwasafitterandamemberoftheEngineers’Union。Thathewasapoorengineerwasevidencedbyhisinabilitytogetregularemployment。Hedidnothavetheenergyandenterprisenecessarytoobtainorholdasteadyposition。

Thepairhadtwodaughters，andthefourofthemlivedinacoupleofholes，called’rooms’bycourtesy，forwhichtheypaidsevenshillingsperweek。Theypossessednostove，managingtheircookingonasinglegas-ringinthefireplace。Notbeingpersonsofproperty，theywereunabletoobtainanunlimitedsupplyofgas；butaclevermachinehadbeeninstalledfortheirbenefit。Bydroppingapennyintheslot，thegaswasforthcoming，andwhenapenny’sworthhadforthcomethesupplywasautomaticallyshutoff。’Apennygawninnotime，’sheexplained，’an’thecookin’notarfdone！’

Incipientstarvationhadbeentheirportionforyears。Monthinandmonthout，theyhadarisenfromthetableableandwillingtoeatmore。Andwhenonceonthedownwardslope，chronicinnutritionisanimportantfactorinsappingvitalityandhasteningthedescent。

Yetthiswomanwasahardworker。From4。30inthemorningtillthelastlightatnight，shesaid，shehadtoiledatmakingclothdress-skirts，linedupandwithtwoflounces，forsevenshillingsadozen。Clothdress-skirts，markyou，linedupandwithtwoflounces，forsevenshillingsadozen！Thisisequalto$1。75perdozen，or14

3/4centsperskirt。

Thehusband，inordertoobtainemployment，hadtobelongtotheunion，whichcollectedoneshillingandsixpencefromhimeachweek。

Also，whenstrikeswereafootandhechancedtobeworking，hehadattimesbeencompelledtopayashighasseventeenshillingsintotheunion’scoffersfortherelieffund。

Onedaughter，theelder，hadworkedasgreenhandforadressmaker，foroneshillingandsixpenceperweek-371/2centsperweek，orafractionover5centsperday。However，whentheslackseasoncameshewasdischarged，thoughshehadbeentakenonatsuchlowpaywiththeunderstandingthatshewastolearnthetradeandworkup。Afterthatshehadbeenemployedinabicyclestoreforthreeyears，forwhichshereceivedfiveshillingsperweek，walkingtwomilestoherwork，andtwoback，andbeingfinedfortardiness。

Asfarasthemanandwomanwereconcerned，thegamewasplayed。

Theyhadlosthandholdandfoothold，andwerefallingintothepit。

Butwhatofthedaughters？Livinglikeswine，enfeebledbychronicinnutrition，beingsappedmentally，morally，andphysically，whatchancehavetheytocrawlupandoutoftheAbyssintowhichtheywerebornfalling？

AsIwritethis，andforanhourpast，theairhadbeenmadehideousbyafree-for-all，rough-and-tumblefightgoingonintheyardthatisbacktobackwithmyyard。WhenthefirstsoundsreachedmeItookitforthebarkingandsnarlingofdogs，andsomeminuteswererequiredtoconvincemethathumanbeings，andwomenatthat，couldproducesuchafearfulclamor。

Drunkenwomenfighting！Itisnotnicetothinkof；itisfarworsetolistento。Somethinglikethisitruns：-

Incoherentbabble，shriekedatthetopofthelungsofseveralwomen；alull，inwhichisheardachildcryingandayounggirl’svoicepleadingtearfully；awoman’svoicerises，harshandgrating，’You’itme！Jestyou’itme！’then，swat！challengeacceptedandfightragesafresh。

Thebackwindowsofthehousescommandingthescenearelinedwithenthusiasticspectators，andthesoundofblowsandofoathsthatmakeone’sbloodruncold，arebornetomyears。

Alull；’Youletthatchildalone！’childevidentlyoffewyears，screamingindownrightterror；’Awright，’repeatedinsistentlyandattoppitchtwentytimesstraightrunning；’You’llgitthisrockonthe’ead！’andthenrockevidentlyontheheadfromtheshriekthatgoesup。

Alull；apparentlyonecombatanttemporarilydisabledandbeingresuscitated；child’svoiceaudibleagain，butnowsunktoalowernoteofterrorandgrowingexhaustion。

Voicesbegintogoupthescale，somethinglikethis：-

’Yes？’

’Yes！’

’Yes？’

’Yes！’

’Yes？’

’Yes！’

’Yes？’

’Yes！’

Sufficientaffirmationonbothsides，conflictagainprecipitated。

Onecombatantgetsoverwhelmingadvantage，andfollowsitupfromthewayothercombatantscreamsbloodymurder。Bloodymurdergurglesanddiesout，undoubtedlythrottledbyastranglehold。

Entranceofnewvoices；aflankattack；strangleholdsuddenlybrokenfromwaybloodymurdergoesuphalfanoctavehigherthanbefore；generalhullaballoo，everybodyfighting。

Lull；newvoice，younggirl’s，’I’mgoin’tertykemymother’spart’；dialogue，repeatedaboutfivetimes，’I’lldoasIlike，blankety，blank，blank！’’I’dliketerseeyer，blankety，blank，blank！’renewedconflict，mothers，daughters，everybody，duringwhichmylandladycallsheryoungdaughterinfromthebacksteps，whileIwonderwhatwillbetheeffectofallthatshehashearduponhermoralfibre。

CHAPTERSIX。

Frying-panAlleyandaGlimpseofInferno。

Thebeaststheyhunger，andeat，anddie，Andsodowe，andtheworld’sasty。

’Swinehoodhathnoremedy，’

Saymanymen，andhastenby-

SIDNEYLANIER。

THREEOFUSWALKEDdownMileEndRoad，andonewasahero。Hewasaslenderladofnineteen，soslightandfrail，infact，that，likeFraLippoLippi，apuffofwindmightdoublehimupandturnhimover。

Hewasaburningyoungsocialist，inthefirstthroesofenthusiasmandripeformartyrdom。Asplatformspeakerorchairmanhehadtakenanactiveanddangerouspartinthemanyindoorandoutdoorpro-BoermeetingswhichhavevexedtheserenityofMerryEnglandtheseseveralyearsback。Littleitemshehadbeenimpartingtomeashewalkedalong；ofbeingmobbedinparksandontram-cars；ofclimbingontheplatformtoleadtheforlornhope，whenbrotherspeakerafterbrotherspeakerhadbeendraggeddownbytheangrycrowdandcruellybeaten；ofasiegeinachurch，whereheandthreeothershadtakensanctuary，andwhere，amidflyingmissilesandthecrashingofstainedglass，theyhadfoughtoffthemobtillrescuedbyplatoonsofconstables；ofpitchedandgiddybattlesonstairways，galleries，andbalconies；ofsmashedwindows，collapsedstairways，wreckedlecturehalls，andbrokenheadsandbones-andthen，witharegretfulsigh，helookedatmeandsaid：’HowIenvyyoubig，strongmen！I’msuchalittlemiteIcan’tdomuchwhenitcomestofighting。’

AndI，walkingaheadandshouldersabovemytwocompanions，rememberedmyownhuskyWestandthestalwartmenithadbeenmycustom，inturn，toenvythere。Also，asIlookedatthemiteofayouthwiththeheartofalion，Ithought，thisisthetypethatonoccasionrearsbarricadesandshowstheworldthatmenhavenotforgottenhowtodie。

Butupspokemyothercompanion，amanoftwenty-eightwhoekedoutaprecariousexistenceinasweatingden。

’I’ma’eartyman，Iam，’heannounced。’Notliketheotherchapsatmyshop，Iain’t。Theyconsidermeafinespecimenofmanhood。W’y，d’

yeknow，Iweighonehundredandfortypounds！’

IwasashamedtotellhimthatIweighedonehundredandseventy，soIcontentedmyselfwithtakinghismeasure。Poormisshapenlittleman！

Hisskinanunhealthycolor，bodygnarledandtwistedoutofalldecency，contractedchest，shouldersbentprodigiouslyfromlonghoursoftoil，andheadhangingheavilyforwardandoutofplace！A

’’eartyman，’’ewas！

’Howtallareyou？’

’Fivefoottwo，’heansweredproudly；’an’thechapsattheshop……’

’Letmeseethatshop，’Isaid。

Theshopwasidlejustthen，butIstilldesiredtoseeit。

PassingLemanStreet，wecutofftotheleftintoSpitalfields，anddivedintoFrying-panAlley。Aspawnofchildrenclutteredtheslimypavement，foralltheworldliketadpolesjustturnedfrogsonthebottomofadrypond。Inanarrowdoorway，sonarrowthatperforcewesteppedoverher，satawomanwithayoungbabenursingatbreastsgrosslynakedandlibellingallthesacrednessofmotherhood。Intheblackandnarrowhallbehindherwewadedthroughamessofyounglife，andessayedanevennarrowerandfoulerstairway。Upwewent，threeflights，eachlandingtwofeetbythreeinarea，andheapedwithfilthandrefuse。

Thereweresevenroomsinthisabominationcalledahouse。Insixoftherooms，twenty-oddpeople，ofbothsexesandallages，cooked，ate，slept，andworked。Insizetheroomsaveragedeightfeetbyeight，orpossiblynine。Theseventhroomweentered。Itwasthedeninwhichfivemen’sweated。’Itwassevenfeetwidebyeightlong，andthetableatwhichtheworkwasperformedtookupthemajorportionofthespace。Onthistablewerefivelasts，andtherewasbarelyroomforthementostandtotheirwork，fortherestofthespacewasheapedwithcardboard，leather，bundlesofshoeuppers，andamiscellaneousassortmentofmaterialsusedinattachingtheuppersofshoestotheirsoles。

Intheadjoiningroomlivedawomanandsixchildren。Inanothervileholelivedawidow，withanonlysonofsixteenwhowasdyingofconsumption。Thewomanhawkedsweetmeatsonthestreet，Iwastold，andmoreoftenfailedthannotinsupplyinghersonwiththethreequartsofmilkhedailyrequired。Further，thisson，weakanddying，didnottastemeatoftenerthanonceaweek；andthekindandqualityofthismeatcannotpossiblybeimaginedbypeoplewhohaveneverwatchedhumanswineeat。

’Thew’y’ecoughsissomethin’terrible，’volunteeredmysweatedfriend，referringtothedyingboy。’We’ear’im’ere，w’ilewe’reworkin’，an’it’sterrible，Isay，terrible！’

And，whatofthecoughingandthesweetmeats，Ifoundanothermenaceaddedtothehostileenvironmentofthechildrenoftheslum。

Mysweatedfriend，whenworkwastobehad，toiledwithfourothermeninthiseight-by-sevenroom。Inwinteralampburnednearlyallthedayandaddeditsfumestotheoverloadedair，whichwasbreathed，andbreathed，andbreathedagain。

Ingoodtimes，whentherewasarushofwork，thismantoldmethathecouldearnashighas’thirtybobaweek。’-Thirtyshillings！Sevendollarsandahalf！

’Butit’sonlythebestofuscandoit，’hequalified。’An’thenweworktwelve，thirteen，andfourteenhoursaday，justasfastaswecan。An’youshouldseeussweat！Justrunningfromus！Ifyoucouldseeus，it’ddazzleyoureyes-tacksflyin’outofmouthlikefromamachine。Lookatmymouth。’

Ilooked。Theteethwereworndownbytheconstantfrictionofthemetallicbrads，whiletheywerecoal-blackandrotten。

’Icleanmyteeth，’headded，’elsethey’dbeworse。’

Afterhehadtoldmethattheworkershadtofurnishtheirowntools，brads，’grindery，’cardboard，rent，light，andwhatnot，itwasplainthathisthirtybobwasadiminishingquantity。

’Buthowlongdoestherushseasonlast，inwhichyoureceivethishighwageofthirtybob？’Iasked。

’Fourmonths，’wastheanswer；andfortherestoftheyear，heinformedme，theyaveragefrom’halfaquid’toa’quid’aweek，whichisequivalenttofromtwodollarsandahalftofivedollars。Thepresentweekwashalfgone，andhehadearnedfourbob，oronedollar。

AndyetIwasgiventounderstandthatthiswasoneofthebettergradesofsweating。

Ilookedoutofthewindow，whichshouldhavecommandedthebackyardsoftheneighboringbuildings。Buttherewerenobackyards，or，rather，theywerecoveredwithone-storyhovels，cowsheds，inwhichpeoplelived。Theroofsofthesehovelswerecoveredwithdepositsoffilth，insomeplacesacoupleoffeetdeep-thecontributionsfromthebackwindowsofthesecondandthirdstories。I

couldmakeoutfishandmeatbones，garbage，pestilentialrags，oldboots，brokenearthenware，andallthegeneralrefuseofahumansty。

’Thisisthelastyearofthistrade；they’regettingmachinestodoawaywithus，’saidthesweatedonemournfully，aswesteppedoverthewomanwiththebreastsgrosslynakedandwadedanewthroughthecheapyounglife。

WenextvisitedthemunicipaldwellingserectedbytheLondonCountyCouncilonthesiteoftheslumswherelivedArthurMorrison’s’ChildoftheJago。’Whilethebuildingshousedmorepeoplethanbefore，itwasmuchhealthier。Butthedwellingswereinhabitedbythebetter-classworkmenandartisans。Theslumpeoplehadsimplydriftedontocrowdotherslumsortoformnewslums。

’An’now，’saidthesweatedone，the’eartymanwhoworkedsofastastodazzleone’seyes，’I’llshowyouoneofLondon’slungs。ThisisSpitalfieldsGarden。’Andhemouthedtheword’garden’withscorn。

TheshadowofChrist’sChurchfallsacrossSpitalfieldsGarden，andintheshadowofChrist’sChurch，atthreeo’clockintheafternoon，IsawasightIneverwishtoseeagain。Therearenoflowersinthisgarden，whichissmallerthanmyownrosegardenathome。Grassonlygrowshere，anditissurroundedbysharp-spikedironfencing，asarealltheparksofLondonTown，sothathomelessmenandwomenmaynotcomeinatnightandsleepuponit。

Asweenteredthegarden，anoldwoman，betweenfiftyandsixty，passedus，stridingwithsturdyintentionifsomewhatricketyaction，withtwobulkybundles，coveredwithsacking，slungforeandaftuponher。Shewasawomantramp，ahouselesssoul，tooindependenttodragherfailingcarcassthroughtheworkhousedoor。Likethesnail，shecarriedherhomewithher。Inthetwosacking-coveredbundleswereherhouseholdgoods，herwardrobe，linen，anddearfemininepossessions。

Wewentupthenarrowgravelledwalk。Onthebenchesoneithersidewasarrayedamassofmiserableanddistortedhumanity，thesightofwhichwouldhaveimpelledDoretomorediabolicalflightsoffancythanheeversucceededinachieving。Itwasawelterofragsandfilth，ofallmannerofloathsomeskindiseases，opensores，bruises，grossness，indecency，leeringmonstrosities，andbestialfaces。Achill，rawwindwasblowing，andthesecreatureshuddledthereintheirrags，sleepingforthemostpart，ortryingtosleep。

Herewereadozenwomen，ranginginagefromtwentyyearstoseventy。Nextababe，possiblyofninemonths，lyingasleep，flatonthehardbench，withneitherpillownorcovering，norwithanyonelookingafterit。Next，halfadozenmen，sleepingboltuprightorleaningagainstoneanotherintheirsleep。Inoneplaceafamilygroup，achildasleepinitssleepingmother’sarms，andthehusband（ormalemate）clumsilymendingadilapidatedshoe。Onanotherbenchawomantrimmingthefrayedstripsofherragswithaknife，andanotherwoman，withthreadandneedle，sewinguprents。Adjoining，amanholdingasleepingwomaninhisarms。Fartheron，aman，hisclothingcakedwithguttermud，asleepwithheadinthelapofawoman，notmorethantwenty-fiveyearsold，andalsoasleep。

Itwasthissleepingthatpuzzledme。Whywerenineoutoftenofthemasleeportryingtosleep’ButitwasnottillafterwardthatI

learned。Itisalawofthepowersthatbethatthehomelessshallnotsleepbynight。Onthepavement，bytheporticoofChrist’sChurch，wherethestonepillarsrisetowardtheskyinastatelyrow，werewholerowsofmenlyingasleepordrowsing，andalltoodeepsunkintorportorouseorbemadecuriousbyourintrusion。

’AlungofLondon，’Isaid；’nay，anabscess，agreatputrescentsore。’

’Oh，whydidyoubringmehere？’demandedtheburningyoungsocialist，hisdelicatefacewhitewithsicknessofsoulandstomachsickness。

’Thosewomenthere，’saidourguide，’willsellthemselvesforthru’pence，ortu’pence，oraloafofstalebread。’

Hesaiditwithacheerfulsneer。

ButwhatmorehemighthavesaidIdonotknow，forthesickmancried，’Forheaven’ssake，letusgetoutofthis。’

CHAPTERSEVEN。

AWinneroftheVictoriaCross。

Fromoutofthepopulouscitymengroan，andthesoulofthewoundedcriethout-

JOB。

IHAVEFOUNDTHATITisnoteasytogetintothecasualwardoftheworkhouse。Ihavemadetwoattemptsnow，andIshallshortlymakeathird。ThefirsttimeIstartedoutatseveno’clockintheeveningwithfourshillingsinmypocket。HereinIcommittedtwoerrors。Inthefirstplace，theapplicantforadmissiontothecasualwardmustbedestitute，andasheissubjectedtoarigoroussearch，hemustreallybedestitute；andfourpence，muchlessfourshillings，issufficientaffluencetodisqualifyhim。Inthesecondplace，Imadethemistakeoftardiness。Seveno’clockintheeveningistoolateinthedayforapaupertogetapauper’sbed。

Forthebenefitofgentlynurturedandinnocentfolk，letmeexplainwhatacasualwardis。Itisabuildingwherethehomeless，bedless，pennilessman，ifhebelucky，maycasuallyresthiswearybones，andthenworklikeanavvynextdaytopayforit。

Mysecondattempttobreakintothecasualwardbeganmoreauspiciously。Istartedinthemiddleoftheafternoon，accompaniedbytheburningyoungsocialistandanotherfriend，andallIhadinmypocketwasthru’pence。TheypilotedmetotheWhitechapelWorkhouse，atwhichIpeeredfromaroundafriendlycorner。Itwasafewminutespastfiveintheafternoon，butalreadyalongandmelancholylinewasformed，whichstrungoutaroundthecornerofthebuildingandoutofsight。

Itwasamostwofulpicture，menandwomenwaitinginthecoldgrayendofthedayforapauper’sshelterfromthenight，andI

confessitalmostunnervedme。Liketheboybeforethedentist’sdoor，Isuddenlydiscoveredamultitudeofreasonsforbeingelsewhere。Somehintsofthestrugglegoingonwithinmusthaveshowninmyface，foroneofmycompanionssaid，’Don’tfunk；youcandoit。’

OfcourseIcoulddoit，butIbecameawarethateventhru’penceinmypocketwastoolordlyatreasureforsuchathrong；and，inorderthatallinvidiousdistinctionsmightberemoved，Iemptiedoutthecoppers。ThenIbadegood-bytomyfriends，andwithmyheartgoingpit-a-pat，sloucheddownthestreetandtookmyplaceattheendoftheline。Wofulitlooked，thislineofpoorfolktotteringonthesteeppitchtodeath；howwoefulitwasIdidnotdream。

Nexttomestoodashort，stoutman。Haleandhearty，thoughaged，strong-featured，withthetoughandleatheryskinproducedbylongyearsofsunbeatandweatherbeat，hiswastheunmistakableseafaceandeyes；andatoncetherecametomeabitofKipling’s’GalleySlave’：

’Bythebranduponmyshoulder，bythegallofclingingsteel；

Bytheweltthewhipshaveleftme，bythescarsthatneverheal；

Byeyesgrownoldwithstaringthroughthesun-washonthebrine，Iampaidinfullforservice……’

HowcorrectIwasinmysurmise，andhowpeculiarlyappropriatetheversewas，youshalllearn。

’Iwon’tstanditmuchlonger，Iwon’t，’hewascomplainingtothemanontheothersideofhim。’I’llsmashawindy，abig’un，an’

getruninforfourteendays。ThenI’llhaveagoodplacetosleep，neverfear，an’bettergrubthanyougethere。ThoughI’dmissmybitofbaccy’-thisasanafterthought，andsaidregretfullyandresignedly。

’I’vebeenouttwonights，now，’hewenton；’wettotheskinnightbeforelast，an’Ican’tstanditmuchlonger。I’mgettin’

old，an’somemornin’they’llpickmeupdead。’

Hewhirledwithfiercepassiononme：’Don’tyoueverletyourselfgrowold，lad。Diewhenyou’reyoung，oryou’llcometothis。I’mtellin’yousure。Sevenan’eightyyearsamI，an’servedmycountrylikeaman。ThreegoodconductstripesandtheVictoriaCross，an’

thisiswhatIgetforit。IwishIwasdead，IwishIwasdead。Can’tcomeanytooquickforme，Itellyou。’

Themoisturerushedintohiseyes，but，beforetheothermancouldcomforthim，hebegantohumaliltingseasongasthoughtherewasnosuchthingasheartbreakintheworld。

Givenencouragement，thisisthestoryhetoldwhilewaitinginlineattheworkhouseaftertwonightsofexposureinthestreets。

AsaboyhehadenlistedintheBritishnavy，andfortwoscoreyearsandmoreservedfaithfullyandwell。Names，dates，commanders，ports，ships，engagements，andbattles，rolledfromhislipsinasteadystream，butitisbeyondmetorememberthemall，foritisnotquiteinkeepingtotakenotesatthepoorhousedoor。Hehadbeenthroughthe’FirstWarinChina，’ashetermedit；hadenlistedintheEastIndiaCompanyandservedtenyearsinIndia；wasbackinIndiaagain，intheEnglishnavy，atthetimeoftheMutiny；hadservedintheBurmeseWarandintheCrimea；andallthisinadditiontohavingfoughtandtoiledfortheEnglishflagprettywellovertherestoftheglobe。

Thenthethinghappened。Alittlething，ifitcouldonlybetracedbacktofirstcauses：perhapsthelieutenant’sbreakfasthadnotagreedwithhim；orhehadbeenuplatethenightbefore；orhisdebtswerepressing；orthecommanderhadspokenbrusquelytohim。Thepointis，thatonthisparticulardaythelieutenantwasirritable。

Thesailor，withothers，was’settingup’theforerigging。

Now，markyou，thesailorhadbeenoverfortyyearsinthenavy，hadthreegoodconductstripes，andpossessedtheVictoriaCrossfordistinguishedserviceinbattle；sohecouldnothavebeensuchanaltogetherbadsortofasailorman。Thelieutenantwasirritable；

thelieutenantcalledhimaname-well，notanicesortofname。Itreferredtohismother。WhenIwasaboyitwasourboys’codetofightlikelittledemonsshouldsuchaninsultbegivenourmothers；

andmanymenhavediedinmypartoftheworldforcallingothermenthisname。

However，thelieutenantcalledthesailorthisname。Atthatmomentitchancedthesailorhadanironleverorbarinhishands。Hepromptlystruckthelieutenantovertheheadwithit，knockinghimoutoftheriggingandoverboard。

Andthen，intheman’sownwords：’IsawwhatIhaddone。IknewtheRegulations，andIsaidtomyself，’It’sallupwithyou，Jack，myboy；soheregoes。’An’Ijumpedoverafterhim，mymindmadeuptodrownusboth。An’I’dha’doneit，too，onlythepinnacefromtheflagshipwasjustcomin’alongside。Upwecametothetop，meaholdofhiman’punchin’him。Thiswaswhatsettledforme。IfIhadn’tbenstrikin’him，Icouldhaveclaimedthat，seein’whatIhaddone，I

jumpedovertosavehim。’

Thencamethecourt-martial，orwhatevernameaseatrialgoesby。

Herecitedhissentence，wordforword，asthoughmemorizedandgoneoverinbitternessmanytimes。Andhereitis，forthesakeofdisciplineandrespecttoofficersnotalwaysgentlemen，thepunishmentofamanwhowasguiltyofmanhood。Tobereducedtotherankofordinaryseaman；tobedebarredallprizemoneyduehim；toforfeitallrightstopension；toresigntheVictoriaCross；tobedischargedfromthenavywithagoodcharacter（thisbeinghisfirstoffence）；toreceivefiftylashes；andtoservetwoyearsinprison。

’IwishIhaddrownedthatday，IwishtoGodIhad，’heconcluded，asthelinemovedupandwepassedaroundthecorner。

Atlastthedoorcameinsight，throughwhichthepauperswerebeingadmittedinbunches。AndhereIlearnedasurprisingthing：thisbeingWednesday，noneofuswouldbereleasedtillFridaymorning。

Furthermore，andoh，youtobaccousers，takeheed：wewouldnotbepermittedtotakeinanytobacco。Thiswewouldhavetosurrenderasweentered。Sometimes，Iwastold，itwasreturnedonleaving，andsometimesitwasdestroyed。

Theoldman-of-war’smangavemealesson。Openinghispouch，heemptiedthetobacco（apitifulquantity）intoapieceofpaper。

This，snuglyandflatlywrapped，wentdownhissockinsidehisshoe。

Downwentmypieceoftobaccoinsidemysock，forfortyhourswithouttobaccoisahardshipalltobaccouserswillunderstand。

Againandagainthelinemovedup，andwewereslowlybutsurelyapproachingthewicket。Atthemomentwehappenedtobestandingonanirongrating，andamanappearingunderneath，theoldsailorcalleddowntohim：

’Howmanymoredotheywant？’

’Twenty-four，’cametheanswer。

Welookedaheadanxiouslyandcounted。Thirty-fourwereaheadofus。

Disappointmentandconsternationdawneduponthefacesaboutme。Itisnotanicething，hungryandpenniless，tofaceasleeplessnightinthestreets。Butwehopedagainsthope，till，whentenstoodoutsidethewicket，theporterturnedusaway。

’Fullup，’waswhathesaid，ashebangedthedoor。

Likeaflash，forallhiseighty-sevenyears，theoldsailorwasspeedingawayonthedesperatechanceoffindingshelterelsewhere。

Istoodanddebatedwithtwoothermen，wiseintheknowledgeofcasualwards，astowhereweshouldgo。TheydecidedonthePoplarWorkhouse，threemilesaway，andwestartedoff。

Asweroundedthecorner，oneofthemsaid，’Icoulda’gotin’ereto-day。Icomebyatoneo’clock，an’thelinewasbeginnin’toformthen-pets，that’swhattheyare。Theylet’min，thesameones，nightuponnight。’

CHAPTEREIGHT。

TheCarterandtheCarpenter。

Itisnottodie，noreventodieofhunger，thatmakesamanwretched。Manymenhavedied；allmenmustdie。Butitistolivemiserable，weknownotwhy；toworksore，andyetgainnothing；tobeheart-worn，weary，yetisolated，unrelated，girtinwithacolduniversalLaissez-faire-

CARLYLE。

THECARTER，WITHHISclean-cutface，chinbeard，andshavedupperlip，IshouldhavetakenintheUnitedStatesforanythingfromamasterworkmantoawell-to-dofarmer。TheCarpenter-well，Ishouldhavetakenhimforacarpenter。Helookedit，leanandwiry，withshrewd，observanteyes，andhandsthathadgrowntwistedtothehandlesoftoolsthroughforty-sevenyears’workatthetrade。Thechiefdifficultywiththesemenwasthattheywereold，andthattheirchildren，insteadofgrowinguptotakecareofthem，haddied。

Theiryearshadtoldonthem，andtheyhadbeenforcedoutofthewhirlofindustrybytheyoungerandstrongercompetitorswhohadtakentheirplaces。

Thesetwomen，turnedawayfromthecasualwardofWhitechapelWorkhouse，wereboundwithmeforPoplarWorkhouse。Notmuchofashow，theythought，buttochanceitwasallthatremainedtous。ItwasPoplar，orthestreetsandnight。Bothmenwereanxiousforabed，fortheywere’aboutgone，’astheyphrasedit。TheCarter，fifty-eightyearsofage，hadspentthelastthreenightswithoutshelterorsleep，whiletheCarpenter，sixty-fiveyearsofage，hadbeenoutfivenights。

But，Odear，softpeople，fullofmeatandblood，withwhitebedsandairyroomswaitingyoueachnight，howcanImakeyouknowwhatitistosufferasyouwouldsufferifyouspentawearynightonLondon’sstreets？Believeme，youwouldthinkathousandcenturieshadcomeandgonebeforetheeastpaledintodawn；youwouldshivertillyouwerereadytocryaloudwiththepainofeachachingmuscle；andyouwouldmarvelthatyoucouldenduresomuchandlive。Shouldyourestuponabench，andyourtiredeyesclose，dependuponitthepolicemanwouldrouseyouandgrufflyorderyouto’moveon。’Youmayrestuponthebench，andbenchesarefewandfarbetween；butifrestmeanssleep，onyoumustgo，draggingyourtiredbodythroughtheendlessstreets。Shouldyou，indesperateslyness，seeksomeforlornalleyordarkpassagewayandliedown，theomnipresentpolicemanwillroutyououtjustthesame。Itishisbusinesstoroutyouout。

Itisalawofthepowersthatbethatyoushallberoutedout。

Butwhenthedawncame，thenightmareover，youwouldhaleyouhometorefreshyourself，anduntilyoudiedyouwouldtellthestoryofyouradventuretogroupsofadmiringfriends。Itwouldgrowintoamightystory。Yourlittleeight-hournightwouldbecomeanOdysseyandyouaHomer。

NotsowiththesehomelessoneswhowalkedtoPoplarWorkhousewithme。Andtherearethirty-fivethousandofthem，menandwomen，inLondonTownthisnight。Pleasedon’trememberitasyougotobed；

ifyouareassoftasyououghttobe，youmaynotrestsowellasusual。Butforoldmenofsixty，seventy，andeighty，ill-fed，withneithermeatnorblood，togreetthedawnunrefreshed，andtostaggerthroughthedayinmadsearchforcrusts，withrelentlessnightrushingdownuponthemagain，andtodothisfivenightsanddays-Odear，softpeople，fullofmeatandblood，howcanyoueverunderstand？

IwalkedupMileEndRoadbetweentheCarterandtheCarpenter。MileEndRoadisawidethoroughfare，cuttingtheheartofEastLondon，andthereweretensofthousandsofpeopleabroadonit。ItellyouthissothatyoumayfullyappreciatewhatIshalldescribeinthenextparagraph。AsIsay，wewalkedalong，andwhentheygrewbitterandcursedtheland，Icursedwiththem，cursedasanAmericanwaifwouldcurse，strandedinastrangeandterribleland。And，asI

triedtoleadthemtobelieve，andsucceededinmakingthembelieve，theytookmefora’seafaringman，’whohadspenthismoneyinriotousliving，losthisclothes（nounusualoccurrencewithseafaringmenashore），andwastemporarilybrokewhilelookingforaship。ThisaccountedformyignoranceofEnglishwaysingeneralandcasualwardsinparticular，andmycuriosityconcerningthesame。

TheCarterwashardputtokeepthepaceatwhichwewalked（hetoldmethathehadeatennothingthatday），buttheCarpenter，leanandhungry，hisgrayandraggedovercoatflappingmournfullyinthebreeze，swungoninalongandtirelessstridewhichremindedmestronglyoftheplainscoyote。Bothkepttheireyesuponthepavementastheywalkedandtalked，andeverynowandthenoneortheotherwouldstoopandpicksomethingup，nevermissingthestridethewhile。Ithoughtitwascigarandcigarettestumpstheywerecollecting，andforsometimetooknonotice。ThenIdidnotice。

Fromtheslimysidewalk，theywerepickingupbitsoforangepeel，appleskin，andgrapestems，andtheywereeatingthem。Thepipsofgreengageplumstheycrackedbetweentheirteethforthekernelsinside。Theypickedupstraycrumbsofbreadthesizeofpeas，applecoressoblackanddirtyonewouldnottakethemtobeapplecores，andthesethingsthesetwomentookintotheirmouths，andchewedthem，andswallowedthem；andthis，betweensixandseveno’clockintheeveningofAugust20，yearofourLord1902，intheheartofthegreatest，wealthiest，andmostpowerfulempiretheworldhaseverseen。

Thesetwomentalked。Theywerenotfools。Theyweremerelyold。

And，naturally，theirgutsa-reekwithpavementoffal，theytalkedofbloodyrevolution。Theytalkedasanarchists，fanatics，andmadmenwouldtalk。Andwhoshallblamethem？Inspiteofmythreegoodmealsthatday，andthesnugbedIcouldoccupyifIwished，andmysocialphilosophy，andmyevolutionarybeliefintheslowdevelopmentandmetamorphosisofthings-inspiteofallthis，I

say，Ifeltimpelledtotalkrotwiththemorholdmytongue。Poorfools！Notoftheirsortarerevolutionsbred。Andwhentheyaredeadanddust，whichwillbeshortly，otherfoolswilltalkbloodyrevolutionastheygatheroffalfromthespittle-drenchedsidewalkalongMileEndRoadtoPoplarWorkhouse。

Beingaforeigner，andayoungman，theCarterandtheCarpenterexplainedthingstomeandadvisedme。Theiradvice，bytheway，wasbriefandtothepoint；itwastogetoutofthecountry。’AsfarasGod’llletme，’Iassuredthem；’I’llhitonlythehighplaces，tillyouwon’tbeabletoseemytrailforsmoke。’Theyfelttheforceofmyfigures，ratherthanunderstoodthem，andtheynoddedtheirheadsapprovingly。

’Actuallymakeamanacriminalagainst’iswill，’saidtheCarpenter。’’EreIam，old，youngermentakin’myplace，myclothesgettin’shabbieran’shabbier，an’makin’it’ardereverydaytogetajob。Igotothecasualwardforabed。MustbetherebytwoorthreeintheafternoonorIwon’tgetin。Yousawwhathappenedto-day。Whatchancedoesthatgivemetolookforwork？S’poseIdogetintothecasualward？Keepmeinalldayto-morrow，letmeoutmorning’o’nextday。Whatthen？ThelawsezIcan’tgetinanothercasualwardthatnightless’ntenmilesdistant。Havetohurryan’

walktobethereintimethatday。Whatchancedoesthatgivemetolookforajob？S’poseIdon’twalk。S’poseIlookforajob？Innotimethere’snightcome，an’nobed。Nosleepallnight，nothin’toeat，whatshapeamIininthemornin’tolookforwork？Gottomakeupmysleepintheparksomehow’（thevisionofChrist’sChurch，Spitalfields，wasstrongonme）’an’getsomethingtoeat。An’thereI

am！Old，down，an’nochancetogetup。’

’Usedtobeatoll-gate’ere，’saidtheCarter。’Many’sthetimeI’vepaidmytoll’ereinmycartin’days。’

’I’ve’adthree’a’pennyrollsintwodays，’theCarpenterannounced，afteralongpauseintheconversation。

’TwoofthemIateyesterday，an’thethirdto-day，’heconcluded，afteranotherlongpause。

’Iain’t’adanythingto-day，’saidtheCarter。’An’I’mfaggedout。

Mylegsishurtin’mesomethingfearful。’

’Therollyougetinthe"spike"isthat’ardyoucan’teatitnicelywithless’napintofwater，’saidtheCarpenter，formybenefit。And，onaskinghimwhatthe’spike’was，heanswered，’Thecasualward。It’sacantword，youknow。’

Butwhatsurprisedmewasthatheshouldhavetheword’cant’inhisvocabulary，avocabularythatIfoundwasnomeanonebeforeweparted。

IaskedthemwhatImightexpectinthewayoftreatment，ifwesucceededingettingintothePoplarWorkhouseandbetweenthemI

wassuppliedwithmuchinformation。Havingtakenacoldbathonentering，Iwouldbegivenforsuppersixouncesofbreadand’threepartsofskilly。’’Threeparts’meansthree-quartersofapint，and’skilly’isafluidconcoctionofthreequartsofoatmealstirredintothreebucketsandahalfofhotwater。

’Milkandsugar，Isuppose，andasilverspoon？’Iqueried。

’Nofear。Salt’swhatyou’llget，an’I’veseensomeplaceswhereyou’dnotgetanyspoon。’Old’erupan’let’errundown，that’s’owtheydoit。’

’Youdogetgoodskillyat’Ackney，’saidtheCarter。

’Oh，wonderfulskilly，that，’praisedtheCarpenter，andeachlookedeloquentlyattheother。

’Flouran’wateratSt。George’sintheEast，’saidtheCarter。

TheCarpenternodded。Hehadtriedthemall。

’Thenwhat？’Idemanded。

AndIwasinformedthatIwassentdirectlytobed。’Callyouathalfafterfiveinthemornin’，an’yougetupan’takea"sluice"-ifthere’sanysoap。Thenbreakfast，sameassupper，threepartso’

skillyan’asix-ounceloaf。’

’’Tisn’talwayssixounces，’correctedtheCarter。

’’Tisn’t，no；an’oftenthatsouryoucan’ardlyeatit。WhenfirstIstartedIcouldn’teattheskillynorthebread，butnowIcaneatmyownan’anotherman’sportion。’

’Icouldeatthreeothermen’sportions，’saidtheCarter。’I

’aven’t’adabitthisblessedday。’

’Thenwhat？’

’Thenyou’vegottodoyourtask，pickfourpoundsofoakum，orcleanan’scrub，orbreaktentoelevenhundredweighto’stones。I

don’t’avetobreakstones；I’mpastsixty，yousee。They’llmakeyoudoit，though。You’reyoungan’strong。’

’WhatIdon’tlike，’grumbledtheCarter，’istobelockedupinacelltopickoakum。It’stoomuchlikeprison。’

’Butsuppose，afteryou’ve，hadyournight’ssleep，yourefusetopickoakum，orbreakstones，ordoanyworkatall？’Iasked。

’Nofearyou’llrefusethesecondtime；they’llrunyouin，’

answeredtheCarpenter。’Wouldn’tadviseyoutotryiton，mylad。’

’Thencomesdinner，’hewenton。’Eightouncesofbread，oneandaarfouncesofcheese，an’coldwater。Thenyoufinishyourtaskan’

’avesupper，sameasbefore，threepartso’skillyan’sixounceso’

bread。Thentobed，sixo’clock，an’nextmornin’you’returnedloose，providedyou’vefinishedyourtask。’

WehadlongsinceleftMileEndRoad，andaftertraversingagloomymazeofnarrow，windingstreets，wecametoPoplarWorkhouse。

Onalowstonewallwespreadourhandkerchiefs，andeachinhishandkerchiefputallhisworldlypossessionswiththeexceptionofthe’bito’baccy’downhissock。Andthen，asthelastlightwasfadingfromthedrab-coloredsky，thewindblowingcheerlessandcold，westood，withourpitifullittlebundlesinourhands，aforlorngroupattheworkhousedoor。

Threeworkinggirlscamealong，andonelookedpityinglyatme；asshepassedIfollowedherwithmyeyes，andshestilllookedpityinglybackatme。Theoldmenshedidnotnotice。DearChrist，shepitiedme，youngandvigorousandstrong，butshehadnopityforthetwooldmenwhostoodbymyside！Shewasayoungwoman，andIwasayoungman，andwhatvaguesexpromptingsimpelledhertopitymeputhersentimentonthelowestplane。Pityforoldmenisanaltruisticfeeling，andbesides，theworkhousedooristheaccustomedplaceforoldmen。Sosheshowednopityforthem，onlyforme，whodeserveditleastornotatall。NotinhonordograyhairsgodowntothegraveinLondonTown。

Ononesidethedoorwasabellhandle，ontheothersideapressbutton。

’Ringthebell，’saidtheCartertome。

AndjustasIordinarilywouldatanybody’sdoor，Ipulledoutthehandleandrangapeal。

’Oh！Oh！’theycriedinoneterrifiedvoice。’Notso’ard！’

Iletgo，andtheylookedreproachfullyatme，asthoughIhadimperilledtheirchanceforabedandthreepartsofskilly。Nobodycame。Luckily，itwasthewrongbell，andIfeltbetter。

’Pressthebutton，’IsaidtotheCarpenter。

’No，no，waitabit，’theCarterhurriedlyinterposed。

FromallofwhichIdrewtheconclusionthatapoorhouseporter，whocommonlydrawsayearlysalaryoffromthirtytofortydollars，isaveryfinickyandimportantpersonage，andcannotbetreatedtoofastidiouslybypaupers。

Sowewaited，tentimesadecentinterval，whentheCarterstealthilyadvancedatimidforefingertothebutton，andgaveitthefaintest，shortestpossiblepush。Ihavelookedatwaitingmenwherelifeanddeathwasintheissue；butanxioussuspenseshowedlessplainlyontheirfacesthanitshowedonthefacesofthesetwomenastheywaitedforthecomingoftheporter。

Hecame。Hebarelylookedatus。’Fullup，’hesaid，andshutthedoor。

’Anothernightofit，’groanedtheCarpenter。InthedimlighttheCarterlookedwanandgray。

Indiscriminatecharityisvicious，saytheprofessionalphilanthropists。Well，Iresolvedtobevicious。

’Comeon；getyourknifeoutandcomehere，’IsaidtotheCarter，drawinghimintoadarkalley。

Heglaredatmeinafrightenedmanner，andtriedtodrawback。

PossiblyhetookmeforalatterdayJack-the-Ripper，withapenchantforelderlymalepaupers。OrhemayhavethoughtIwasinveiglinghimintothecommissionofsomedesperatecrime。Anyway，hewasfrightened。

Itwillberemembered，attheoutset，thatIsewedapoundinsidemystoker’ssingletunderthearmpit。Thiswasmyemergencyfund，andI

wasnowcalledupontouseitforthefirsttime。

NotuntilIhadgonethroughtheactsofacontortionist，andshowntheroundcoinsewedin，didIsucceedingettingtheCarter’shelp。EventhenhishandwastremblingsothatIwasafraidhewouldcutmeinsteadofthestitches，andIwasforcedtotaketheknifeawayanddoitmyself。Outrolledthegoldpiece，afortuneintheirhungryeyes；andawaywestampededforthenearestcoffee-house。

OfcourseIhadtoexplaintothemthatIwasmerelyaninvestigator，asocialstudent，seekingtofindouthowtheotherhalflived。Andatoncetheyshutuplikeclams。Iwasnotoftheirkind；

myspeechhadchanged，thetonesofmyvoiceweredifferent，inshort，Iwasasuperior，andtheyweresuperblyclassconscious。

’Whatwillyouhave？’Iasked，asthewaitercamefortheorder。

’Twoslicesan’acupoftea，’meeklysaidtheCarter。

’Twoslicesan’acupoftea，’meeklysaidtheCarpenter。

Stopamoment，andconsiderthesituation。Hereweretwomen，invitedbymeintothecoffee-house。Theyhadseenmygoldpiece，andtheycouldunderstandthatIwasnopauper。Onehadeatenahapennyrollthatday，theotherhadeatennothing。Andtheycalledfor’twoslicesan’acupoftea！’Eachmanhadgivenatu’pennyorder。’Twoslices，’bytheway，meanstwoslicesofbreadandbutter。

Thiswasthesamedegradedhumilitythathadcharacterizedtheirattitudetowardthepoorhouseporter。ButIwouldn’thaveit。StepbystepIincreasedtheirorders，-eggs，rashersofbacon，moreeggs，morebacon，moretea，moreslices，andsoforth，-theydenyingwistfullyallthewhilethattheycaredforanythingmore，anddevouringitravenouslyasfastasitarrived。

’Firstcupo’teaI’ve’adinafortnight，’saidtheCarter。

’Wonderfultea，that，’saidtheCarpenter。

Theyeachdranktwopintsofit，andIassureyouthatitwasslops。

Itresembledtealessthanlagerbeerresembleschampagne。Nay，itwas’water-bewitched，’anddidnotresembleteaatall。

Itwascurious，afterthefirstshock，tonoticetheeffectthefoodhadonthem。Atfirsttheyweremelancholy，andtalkedofthediverstimestheyhadcontemplatedsuicide。TheCarter，notaweekbefore，hadstoodonthebridgeandlookedatthewater，andponderedthequestion。Water，theCarpenterinsistedwithheat，wasabadroute。

He，forone，heknew，wouldstruggle。Abulletwas’’andier，’buthowunderthesunwashetogetholdofarevolver？Thatwastherub。

Theygrewmorecheerfulasthehot’tea’soakedin，andtalkedmoreaboutthemselves。TheCarterhadburiedhiswifeandchildren，withtheexceptionofoneson，whogrewtomanhoodandhelpedhiminhislittlebusiness。Thenthethinghappened。Theson，amanofthirty-one，diedofthesmallpox。Nosoonerwasthisoverthanthefathercamedownwithfeverandwenttothehospitalforthreemonths。

Thenhewasdonefor。Hecameoutweak，debilitated，nostrongyoungsontostandbyhim，hislittlebusinessgoneglimmering，andnotafarthing。Thethinghadhappened，andthegamewasup。Nochanceforanoldmantostartagain。Friendsallpoorandunabletohelp。HehadtriedforworkwhentheywereputtingupthestandsforthefirstCoronationparade。’An’Igotfairsickoftheanswer；"No！no！no！"

ItranginmyearsatnightwhenItriedtosleep，alwaysthesame，"No！no！no！"’OnlythepastweekhehadansweredanadvertisementinHackney，andongivinghisagewastold，’Oh，tooold，toooldbyfar。’

TheCarpenterhadbeenborninthearmy，wherehisfatherhadservedtwenty-twoyears。Likewise，histwobrothershadgoneintothearmy；

one，troopsergeant-majoroftheSeventhHussars，dyinginIndiaaftertheMutiny；theother，afternineyearsunderRobertsintheEast，hadbeenlostinEgypt。TheCarpenterhadnotgoneintothearmy，soherehewas，stillontheplanet。

’But’ere，givemeyour’and，’hesaid，rippingopenhisraggedshirt。’I’mfitfortheanatomist，that’sall。I’mwastin’away，sir，actuallywastin’awayforwantoffood。Feelmyribsan’you’llsee。’

Iputmyhandunderhisshirtandfelt。Theskinwasstretchedlikeparchmentoverthebones，andthesensationproducedwasforalltheworldlikerunningone’shandoverawashboard。

’Sevenyearso’blissI’ad，’hesaid。’Agoodmissusandthreebonnielassies。Buttheyalldied。Scarletfevertookthegirlsinsideafortnight。’

’Afterthis，sir，’saidtheCarter，indicatingthespread，anddesiringtoturntheconversationintomorecheerfulchannels；

’afterthis，Iwouldn’tbeabletoeataworkhousebreakfastinthemorning。’

’NorI，’agreedtheCarpenter，andtheyfelltodiscussingbellydelightsandthefinedishestheirrespectivewiveshadcookedintheolddays。

’I’vegonethreedaysandneverbrokemyfast，’saidtheCarter。

’AndI，five，’hiscompanionadded，turninggloomywiththememoryofit。’Fivedaysonce，withnothingonmystomachbutabitoforangepeel，an’outragednaturewouldn’tstandit，sir，an’Ineardied。

Sometimes，walkin’thestreetsatnight，I’vebenthatdesperateI’vemadeupmymindtowinthehorseorlosethesaddle。YouknowwhatImean，sir-tocommitsomebigrobbery。Butwhenmornin’come，therewasI，tooweakfrom’ungeran’coldto’armamouse。’

Astheirpoorvitalswarmedtothefood，theybegantoexpandandwaxboastful，andtotalkpolitics。Icanonlysaythattheytalkedpoliticsaswellastheaveragemiddle-classman，andagreatdealbetterthansomeofthemiddle-classmenIhaveheard。Whatsurprisedmewastheholdtheyhadontheworld，itsgeographyandpeoples，andonrecentandcontemporaneoushistory。AsIsay，theywerenotfools，thesetwomen。Theyweremerelyold，andtheirchildrenhadundutifullyfailedtogrowupandgivethemaplacebythefire。

Onelastincident，asIbadethemgood-byonthecorner，happywithacoupleofshillingsintheirpocketsandthecertainprospectofabedforthenight。Lightingacigarette，IwasabouttothrowawaytheburningmatchwhentheCarterreachedforit。Iprofferedhimthebox，buthesaid，’Nevermind，won’twasteit，sir。’AndwhilehelightedthecigaretteIhadgivenhim，theCarpenterhurriedwiththefillingofhispipeinordertohaveagoatthesamematch。

’It’swrongtowaste，’saidhe。

’Yes，’Isaid，butIwasthinkingofthewashboardribsoverwhichI

hadrunmyhand。

CHAPTERNINE。

TheSpike。

TheoldSpartanshadawisermethod；andwentoutandhunteddowntheirHelots，andspearedandspittedthem，whentheygrewtoonumerous。Withourimprovedfashionsofhunting，nowaftertheinventionoffirearmsandstandingarmies，howmucheasierweresuchahunt！

Perhapsinthemostthicklypeopledcountry，somethreedaysannuallymightsufficetoshootalltheable-bodiedpaupersthathadaccumulatedwithintheyear-

CARLYLE。

FIRSTOFALL，IMUSTBEGforgivenessofmybodyforthevilenessthroughwhichIhavedraggedit，andforgivenessofmystomachforthevilenesswhichIhavethrustintoit。Ihavebeentothespike，andsleptinthespike，andeateninthespike；also，Ihaverunawayfromthespike。

AftermytwounsuccessfulattemptstopenetratetheWhitechapelcasualward，Istartedearly，andjoinedthedesolatelinebeforethreeo’clockintheafternoon。Theydidnot’letin’tillsix，butatthatearlyhourIwasnumber20，whilethenewshadgoneforththatonlytwenty-twoweretobeadmitted。Byfouro’clocktherewerethirty-fourinline，thelasttenhangingonintheslenderhopeofgettinginbysomekindofamiracle。Manymorecame，lookedattheline，andwentaway，wisetothebitterfactthatthespikewouldbe’fullup。’

Conversationwasslackatfirst，standingthere，tillthemanononesideofmeandthemanontheothersideofmediscoveredthattheyhadbeeninthesmallpoxhospitalatthesametime，thoughafullhouseofsixteenhundredpatientshadpreventedtheirbecomingacquainted。Buttheymadeupforit，discussingandcomparingthemoreloathsomefeaturesoftheirdiseaseinthemostcold-blooded，matter-of-factway。Ilearnedthattheaveragemortalitywasoneinsix，thatoneofthemhadbeeninthreemonthsandtheotherthreemonthsandahalf，andthattheyhadbeen’rottenwi’it。’Whereatmyfleshbegantocreepandcrawl，andIaskedthemhowlongtheyhadbeenout。Onehadbeenouttwoweeks，andtheotherthreeweeks。

Theirfaceswerebadlypitted（thougheachassuredtheotherthatthiswasnotso），andfurther，theyshowedmeintheirhandsandunderthenailsthesmallpox’seeds’stillworkingout。Nay，oneofthemworkedaseedoutformyedification，andpopitwent，rightoutofhisfleshintotheair。Itriedtoshrinkupsmallerinsidemyclothes，andIregisteredaferventthoughsilenthopethatithadnotpoppedonme。

Inbothinstances，Ifoundthatthesmallpoxwasthecauseoftheirbeing’onthedoss，’whichmeansonthetramp。Bothhadbeenworkingwhensmittenbythedisease，andbothhademergedfromthehospital’broke，’withthegloomytaskbeforethemofhuntingforwork。Sofar，theyhadnotfoundany，andtheyhadcometothespikefora’restup’afterthreedaysandnightsonthestreet。

Itseemsthatnotonlythemanwhobecomesoldispunishedforhisinvoluntarymisfortune，butlikewisethemanwhoisstruckbydiseaseoraccident。Lateron，Italkedwithanotherman，-’Ginger’wecalledhim，whostoodattheheadoftheline-asureindicationthathehadbeenwaitingsinceoneo’clock。Ayearbefore，oneday，whileintheemployofafishdealer，hewascarryingaheavyboxoffishwhichwastoomuchforhim。Result：’somethingbroke，’andtherewastheboxontheground，andheonthegroundbesideit。

Atthefirsthospital，whitherhewasimmediatelycarried，theysaiditwasarupture，reducedtheswelling，gavehimsomevaselinetorubonit，kepthimfourhours，andtoldhimtogetalong。Buthewasnotonthestreetsmorethantwoorthreehourswhenhewasdownonhisbackagain。Thistimehewenttoanotherhospitalandwaspatchedup。Butthepointis，theemployerdidnothing，positivelynothing，forthemaninjuredinhisemployment，andevenrefusedhim’alightjobnowandagain，’whenhecameout。AsfarasGingerisconcerned，heisabrokenman。Hisonlychancetoearnalivingwasbyheavywork。Heisnowincapableofperformingheavywork，andfromnowuntilhedies，thespike，thepeg，andthestreetsareallhecanlookforwardtointhewayoffoodandshelter。Thethinghappened-thatisall。Heputhisbackundertoogreataloadoffish，andhischanceforhappinessinlifewascrossedoffthebooks。

SeveralmeninthelinehadbeentotheUnitedStates，andtheywerewishingthattheyhadremainedthere，andwerecursingthemselvesfortheirfollyineverhavingleft。Englandhadbecomeaprisontothem，aprisonfromwhichtherewasnohopeofescape。Itwasimpossibleforthemtogetaway。Theycouldneitherscrapetogetherthepassagemoney，norgetachancetoworktheirpassage。Thecountrywastoooverrunbypoordevilsonthat’lay。’

Iwasontheseafaring-man-who-had-lost-his-clothes-and-

moneytack，andtheyallcondoledwithmeandgavememuchsoundadvice。Tosumitup，theadvicewassomethinglikethis：Tokeepoutofallplaceslikethespike。Therewasnothinggoodinitforme。

Toheadforthecoastandbendeveryefforttogetawayonaship。

Togotowork，ifpossible，andscrapetogetherapoundorso，withwhichImightbribesomestewardorunderlingtogivemechancetoworkmypassage。Theyenviedmemyyouthandstrength，whichwouldsoonerorlatergetmeoutofthecountry。Thesetheynolongerpossessed。AgeandEnglishhardshiphadbrokenthem，andforthemthegamewasplayedandup。

Therewasone，however，whowasstillyoung，andwho，Iamsure，willintheendmakeitout。HehadgonetotheUnitedStatesasayoungfellow，andinfourteenyears’residencethelongestperiodhehadbeenoutofworkwastwelvehours。Hehadsavedhismoney，growntooprosperous，andreturnedtothemothercountry。Nowhewasstandinginlineatthespike。

Forthepasttwoyears，hetoldme，hehadbeenworkingasacook。

Hishourshadbeenfrom7A。M。to10。30P。M。，andonSaturdayto12。30

P。M-ninety-fivehoursperweek，forwhichhehadreceivedtwentyshillings，orfivedollars。

’Buttheworkandthelonghourswaskillingme，’hesaid，’andI

hadtochuckthejob。Ihadalittlemoneysaved，butIspentitlivingandlookingforanotherplace。’

Thiswashisfirstnightinthespike，andhehadcomeinonlytogetrested。AssoonasheemergedheintendedtostartforBristol，aone-hundred-and-ten-milewalk，wherehethoughthewouldeventuallygetashipfortheStates。

Butthemeninthelinewerenotallofthiscaliber。Somewerepoor，wretchedbeasts，inarticulateandcallous，butforallofthat，inmanywaysveryhuman。Irememberacarter，evidentlyreturninghomeaftertheday’swork，stoppinghiscartbeforeussothathisyounghopeful，whohadruntomeethim，couldclimbin。Butthecartwasbig，theyounghopefullittle，andhefailedinhisseveralattemptstoswarmup。Whereupononeofthemostdegraded-lookingmensteppedoutofthelineandhoistedhimin。Nowthevirtueandthejoyofthisactliesinthatitwasserviceoflove，nothire。Thecarterwaspoor，andthemanknewit；andthemanwasstandinginthespikeline，andthecarterknewit；andthemanhaddonethelittleact，andthecarterhadthankedhim，evenasyouandIwouldhavedoneandthanked。

Anotherbeautifultouchwasthatdisplayedbythe’Hopper’andhis’olewoman。’Hehadbeeninlineabouthalfanhourwhenthe’olewoman’（hismate）cameuptohim。Shewasfairlyclad，forherclass，withaweatherwornbonnetonhergrayheadandasackingcoveredbundleinherarms。Asshetalkedtohim，hereachedforward，caughttheonestraywispofthewhitehairthatwasflyingwild，deftlytwirleditbetweenhisfingers，andtuckeditbackproperlybehindherear。Fromallofwhichonemayconcludemanythings。Hecertainlylikedherwellenoughtowishhertobeneatandtidy。Hewasproudofher，standingthereinthespikeline，anditwashisdesirethatsheshouldlookwellintheeyesoftheotherunfortunateswhostoodinthespikeline。Butlastandbest，andunderlyingallthesemotives，itwasasturdyaffectionheboreher；

formanisnotpronetobotherhisheadoverneatnessandtidinessinawomanforwhomhedoesnotcare，norishelikelytobeproudofsuchawoman。

AndIfoundmyselfquestioningwhythismanandhismate，hardworkersIknewfromtheirtalk，shouldhavetoseekapauperlodging。Hehadpride，prideinhisoldwomanandprideinhimself。

WhenIaskedhimwhathethoughtI，agreenhorn，mightexpecttoearnat’hopping，’hesizedmeup，andsaidthatitalldepended。

Plentyofpeopleweretooslowtopickhopsandmadeafailureofit。Aman，tosucceed，mustusehisheadandbequickwithhisfingers，mustbeexceedingquickwithhisfingers。Nowheandhisoldwomancoulddoverywellatit，workingtheonebinbetweenthemandnotgoingtosleepoverit；butthen，theyhadbeenatitforyears。

’I’adamateaswentdownlastyear，’spokeupaman。’Itwas’isfusttime，but’ecomebackwi’twopoun’tenin’ispockit，an’’ewasonlygoneamonth。’

’Thereyouare，’saidtheHopper，awealthofadmirationinhisvoice。’Ewasquick。’Ewasjestnat’rallyborntoit，’ewas。’

Twopoundten-twelvedollarsandahalf-foramonth’sworkwhenoneis’jestnat’rallyborntoit’！Andinaddition，sleepingoutwithoutblanketsandlivingtheLordknowshow。TherearemomentswhenIamthankfulthatIwasnot’jestnat’rallyborn’ageniusforanything，notevenhop-picking。

Inthematterofgettinganoutfitfor’thehops，’theHoppergavemesomesterlingadvice，towhichsamegiveheed，yousoftandtenderpeople，incaseyoushouldeverbestrandedinLondonTown。

’Ifyouain’tgottinsan’cookin’things，allasyoucanget’llbebreadandcheese。Nobloodygoodthat！Youmust’ave’ottea，an’

wegetables，an’abito’meat，nowan’again，ifyou’regoin’todoworkasiswork。Cawn’tdoitoncoldwittles。Tellyouwotyoudo，lad。Runaroundinthemornin’an’lookinthedustpans。You’llfindplentyo’tinstocookin。Finetins，wonderfulgoodsomeo’

them。Mean’theolewomangotoursthatway。’（Hepointedatthebundlesheheld，whileshenoddedproudly，beamingonmewithgoodnatureandconsciousnessofsuccessandprosperity。）’Thisovercoatisasgoodasablanket，’hewenton，advancingtheskirtofitthatI

mightfeelitsthickness。’An’’ooknows，Imayfindablanketbeforelong。

Againtheoldwomannoddedandbeamed，thistimewiththedeadcertaintythathewouldfindablanketbeforelong。

’Icallita’oliday，’oppin’，’heconcludedrapturously。’Atidywayo’gettin’twoorthreepoundstogetheran’fixin’upforwinter。TheonlythingIdon’tlike’-andherewastheriftwithinthelute-’ispaddin’the’oofdownthere。’

Itwasplaintheyearsweretellingonthisenergeticpair，andwhiletheyenjoyedthequickworkwiththefingers，’paddin’the’oof，’whichiswalking，wasbeginningtobearheavilyuponthem。

AndIlookedattheirgrayhairs，andaheadintothefuturetenyears，andwonderedhowitwouldbewiththem。

Inoticedanothermanandhisoldwomanjointheline，bothofthempastfifty。Thewoman，becauseshewasawoman，wasadmittedintothespike；buthewastoolate，and，separatedfromhismate，wasturnedawaytotrampthestreetsallnight。

Thestreetonwhichwestood，fromwalltowall，wasbarelytwentyfeetwide。Thesidewalkswerethreefeetwide。Itwasaresidencestreet。Atleastworkmenandtheirfamiliesexistedinsomesortoffashioninthehousesacrossfromus。Andeachdayandeveryday，fromoneintheafternoontillsix，ourraggedspikelineistheprincipalfeatureoftheviewcommandedbytheirfrontdoorsandwindows。Oneworkmansatinhisdoordirectlyoppositeus，takinghisrestandabreathofairafterthetoiloftheday。Hiswifecametochatwithhim。Thedoorwaywastoosmallfortwo，soshestoodup。Theirbabessprawledbeforethem。Andherewasthespikeline，lessthanascoreoffeetaway-neitherprivacyfortheworkman，norprivacyforthepauper。Aboutourfeetplayedthechildrenoftheneighborhood。Tothemourpresencewasnothingunusual。Wewerenotanintrusion。Wewereasnaturalandordinaryasthebrickwallsandstonecurbsoftheirenvironment。Theyhadbeenborntothesightofthespikeline，andalltheirbriefdaystheyhadseenit。

Atsixo’clockthelinemovedup，andwewereadmittedingroupsofthree。Name，age，occupation，placeofbirth，conditionofdestitution，andthepreviousnight’s’doss，’weretakenwithlightning-likerapiditybythesuperintendent；andasIturnedIwasstartledbyaman’sthrustingintomyhandsomethingthatfeltlikeabrick，andshoutingintomyear，’Anyknives，matches，ortobacco？’’No，sir，’Ilied，asliedeverymanwhoentered。AsI

passeddownstairstothecellar，Ilookedatthebrickinmyhand，andsawthatbydoingviolencetothelanguageitmightbecalled’bread。’

Byitsweightandhardnessitcertainlymusthavebeenunleavened。

Thelightwasverydimdowninthecellar，andbeforeIknewitsomeothermanhadthrustapannikinintomyotherhand。ThenIstumbledontoastilldarkerroom，wherewerebenchesandtablesandmen。Theplacesmelledvilely，andthesombregloom，andthemumbleofvoicesfromoutoftheobscurity，madeitseemmorelikesomeanteroomtotheinfernalregions。

Mostofthemenweresufferingfromtiredfeet，andtheyprefacedthemealbyremovingtheirshoesandunbindingthefilthyragswithwhichtheirfeetwerewrapped。Thisaddedtothegeneralnoisomeness，whileittookawayfrommyappetite。

Infact，IfoundthatIhadmadeamistake。Ihadeatenaheartydinnerfivehoursbefore，andtohavedonejusticetothefarebeforemeIshouldhavefastedforacoupleofdays。Thepannikincontainedskilly，three-quartersofapint，amixtureofIndiancornandhotwater。Themenweredippingtheirbreadintoheapsofsaltscatteredoverthedirtytables。Iattemptedthesame，butthebreadseemedtostickinmymouth，andIrememberedthewordsoftheCarpenter：’Youneedapintofwatertoeatthebreadnicely。’

IwentoverintoadarkcornerwhereIhadobservedothermengoing，andfoundthewater。ThenIreturnedandattackedtheskilly。Itwascoarseoftexture，unseasoned，gross，andbitter。Thisbitternesswhichlingeredpersistentlyinthemouthaftertheskillyhadpassedon，Ifoundespeciallyrepulsive。Istruggledmanfully，butwasmasteredbymyqualms，andhalfadozenmouthfulsofskillyandbreadwasthemeasureofmysuccess。Themanbesidemeatehisownshare，andminetoboot，scrapedthepannikins，andlookedhungrilyformore。

’Imeta"towny，"andhestoodmetoogoodadinner，’Iexplained。

’An’I’aven’t’adabitesinceyesterdaymornin’，’hereplied。

’Howabouttobacco？’Iasked。’Willtheblokebotherwithafellownow？’

’Oh，no，’heansweredme。’Nobloodyfear。Thisistheeasiestspikegoin’。Y’oughtoseesomeofthem。Searchyoutotheskin。’

Thepannikinsscrapedclean，conversationbegantospringup。

’Thissuper’tendent’ereisalwayswritin’tothepapers’boutusmugs，’saidthemanontheothersideofme。

’Whatdoeshesay？’Iasked。

’Oh，’esezwe’renogood，aloto’blackguardsan’scoundrelsaswon’twork。TellsalltheoletricksI’vebin’earin’fortwentyyearsan’w’ichIneverseenamugeverdo。Las’thingof’isIsee，’ewastellin’’owamuggetsouto’thespike，wi’acrustin’ispockit。An’w’en’eseesaniceolegentlemancomin’alongthestreet’echucksthecrustintothedrain，an’borrowstheoldgent’ssticktopokeitout。An’thentheolegentgi’es’imatanner’

[sixpence]。

Aroarofapplausegreetedthetime-honoredyarn，andfromsomewhereoverinthedeeperdarknesscameanothervoice，oratingangrily：-

’Talko’thecountrybein’goodfortommy[food]。I’dliketoseeit。IjestcameupfromDover，an’blessedlittletommyIgot。Theywon’tgi’yeadrinko’water，theywon’t，muchlesstommy。’

’There’smugsnevergooutofKent，’spokeasecondvoice，’an’theylivebloomin’fatallalong。’

’IcomethroughKent，’wentonthefirstvoice，stillmoreangrily，’an’GawdblimeyifIseeanytommy。An’Ialwaysnoticesastheblokesastalksabout’owmuchtheycanget，w’enthey’reinthespikecaneatmyshareo’skillyaswellastheirbleedin’own。’

’There’schapsinLondon，’saidamanacrossthetablefromme，’thatgetallthetommytheywant，an’theyneverthinko’goin’tothecountry。StayinLondontheyear’round。Nordotheythinkoflookin’forakip[placetosleep），tillnineorteno’clockatnight。’

Ageneralchorusverifiedthisstatement。

’Butthey’rebloodyclever，themchaps，’saidanadmiringvoice。

’Coursetheyare，’saidanothervoice。’Butit’snotthelikesofmean’youcandoit。Yougottobeborntoit，Isay。Themchaps’avebenopenin’cabsan’sellin’paperssincethedaytheywasborn，an’

theirfathersan’mothersbefore’em。It’sallinthetrainin’，Isay，an’thelikesofmean’you’udstarveatit。’

Thisalsowasverifiedbythegeneralchorus，andlikewisethestatementthattherewere’mugsaslivesthetwelvemonth’roundinthespikean’nevergetablessedbito’tommyotherthanspikeskillyan’

bread。’

’IoncegotarfacrownintheStratfordspike，’saidanewvoice。

Silencefellontheinstant，andalllistenedtothewonderfultale。

’Therewasthreeofusbreakin’stones。Wintertime，an’thecoldwascruel。T’othertwosaidthey’dbeblessediftheydoit，an’theydidn’t；butIkeptwearin’intominetowarmup，youknow。An’thentheguardianscome，an’t’otherchapsgotruninforfourteendays，an’theguardians，w’entheyseewotI’dbeendoin’，givesmeatannereach，fiveo’them，an’turnsmeup。’

Themajorityofthesemen，nay，allofthem，Ifound，donotlikethespike，andonlycometoitwhendrivenin。Afterthe’restup’

theyaregoodfortwoorthreedaysandnightsonthestreets，whentheyaredriveninagainforanotherrest。Ofcourse，thiscontinuoushardshipquicklybreakstheirconstitutions，andtheyrealizeit，thoughonlyinavagueway；whileitissomuchthecommonrunofthingsthattheydonotworryaboutit。

’Onthedoss，’theycallvagabondagehere，whichcorrespondsto’ontheroad’intheUnitedStates。Theagreementisthatkipping，ordossing，orsleeping，isthehardestproblemtheyhavetoface，hardereventhanthatoffood。Theinclementweatherandtheharshlawsaremainlyresponsibleforthis，whilethementhemselvesascribetheirhomelessnesstoforeignimmigration，especiallyofPolishandRussianJews，whotaketheirplacesatlowerwagesandestablishthesweatingsystem。

Byseveno’clockwewerecalledawaytobatheandgotobed。Westrippedourclothes，wrappingthemupinourcoatsandbucklingourbeltsaboutthem，anddepositedtheminaheapedrackandonthefloor-abeautifulschemeforthespreadofvermin。Then，twobytwo，weenteredthebathroom。Thereweretwoordinarytubs，andthisI

know：thetwomenprecedinghadwashedinthatwater，wewashedinthesamewater，anditwasnotchangedforthetwomenthatfollowedus。

ThisIknow；butIamquitecertainthatthetwenty-twoofuswashedinthesamewater。

Ididnomorethanmakeashowofsplashingsomeofthisdubiousliquidatmyself，whileIhastilybrusheditoffwithatowelwetfromthebodiesofothermen。Myequanimitywasnotrestoredbyseeingthebackofonepoorwretchamassofbloodfromattacksofverminandretaliatoryscratching。

Ashirtwashandedme-whichIcouldnothelpbutwonderhowmanyothermenhadworn；andwithacoupleofblanketsundermyarmI

trudgedofftothesleepingapartment。Thiswasalong，narrowroom，traversedbytwolowironrails。Betweentheserailswerestretched，nothammocks，butpiecesofcanvas，sixfeetlongandlessthantwofeetwide。Thesewerethebeds，andtheyweresixinchesapartandabouteightinchesabovethefloor。Thechiefdifficultywasthattheheadwassomewhathigherthanthefeet，whichcausedthebodyconstantlytoslipdown。Beingslungtothesamerails，whenonemanmoved，nomatterhowslightly，therestweresetrocking；andwheneverIdozedsomebodywassuretostrugglebacktothepositionfromwhichhehadslipped，andarousemeagain。

ManyhourspassedbeforeIwontosleep。Itwasonlysevenintheevening，andthevoicesofchildren，inshrilloutcry，playinginthestreet，continuedtillnearlymidnight。Thesmellwasfrightfulandsickening，whilemyimaginationbrokeloose，andmyskincreptandcrawledtillIwasnearlyfrantic。Grunting，groaning，andsnoringaroselikethesoundsemittedbysomeseamonster，andseveraltimes，afflictedbynightmare，oneoranother，byhisshrieksandyells，arousedthelotofus。TowardmorningIwasawakenedbyaratorsomesimilaranimalonmybreast。Inthequicktransitionfromsleeptowaking，beforeIwascompletelymyself，Iraisedashouttowakethedead。Atanyrate，Iwoketheliving，andtheycursedmeroundlyformylackofmanners。

Butmorningcame，withasixo’clockbreakfastofbreadandskilly，whichIgaveaway；andweweretoldofftoourvarioustasks。Someweresettoscrubbingandcleaning，otherstopickingoakum，andeightofuswereconvoyedacrossthestreettotheWhitechapelInfirmary，whereweweresetatscavengerwork。Thiswasthemethodbywhichwepaidforourskillyandcanvas，andI，forone，knowthatIpaidinfullmanytimesover。

Thoughwehadmostrevoltingtaskstoperform，ourallotmentwasconsideredthebest，andtheothermendeemedthemselvesluckyinbeingchosentoperformit。

’Don’ttouchit，mate，thenursesezit’sdeadly，’warnedmyworkingpartner，asIheldopenasackintowhichhewasemptyingagarbagecan。

Itcamefromthesickwards，andItoldhimthatIpurposedneithertotouchit，nortoallowittotouchme。Nevertheless，I

hadtocarrythesack，andothersacks，downfiveflightsofstairsandemptytheminareceptaclewherethecorruptionwasspeedilysprinkledwithstrongdisinfectant。

Perhapsthereisawisemercyinallthis。Thesemenofthespike，thepeg，andthestreet，areencumbrances。Theyareofnogoodorusetoanyone，nortothemselves。Theycluttertheearthwiththeirpresence，andarebetteroutoftheway。Brokenbyhardship，illfed，andworsenourished，theyarealwaysthefirsttobestruckdownbydisease，astheyarelikewisethequickesttodie。

Theyfeel，themselves，thattheforcesofsocietytendtohurlthemoutofexistence。Weweresprinklingdisinfectantbythemortuary，whenthedeadwagondroveupandfivebodieswerepackedintoit。Theconversationturnedtothe’whitepotion’and’blackjack，’andIfoundtheywereallagreedthatthepoorperson，manorwoman，whointheInfirmarygavetoomuchtroubleorwasinabadway，was’polishedoff。’Thatistosay，theincurablesandtheobstreperousweregivenadoseof’blackjack’orthe’whitepotion，’andsentoverthedivide。Itdoesnotmatterintheleastwhetherthisbeactuallysoornot。Thepointis，theyhavethefeelingthatitisso，andtheyhavecreatedthelanguagewithwhichtoexpressthatfeeling-’blackjack，’’whitepotion，’’polishingoff。’

Ateighto’clockwewentdownintoacellarundertheInfirmary，whereteawasbroughttous，andthehospitalscraps。Thesewereheapedhighonahugeplatterinanindescribablemess-piecesofbread，chunksofgreaseandfatpork，theburntskinfromtheoutsideofroastedjoints，bones，inshort，alltheleavingsfromthefingersandmouthsofthesickonessufferingfromallmannerofdiseases。Intothismessthemenplungedtheirhands，digging，pawing，turningover，examining，rejecting，andscramblingfor。Itwasn’tpretty。Pigscouldn’thavedoneworse。Butthepoordevilswerehungry，andtheyateravenouslyoftheswill，andwhentheycouldeatnomoretheybundledwhatwasleftintotheirhandkerchiefsandthrustitinsidetheirshirts。

’Once，w’enIwas’erebefore，wotdidIfindouttherebuta’olelotofpork-ribs，’saidGingertome。By’outthere’hemeanttheplacewherethecorruptionwasdumpedandsprinkledwithstrongdisinfectant。’Theywasaprimelot，noendo’meaton’em，an’I

’ad’emintomyarmsan’wasoutthegatean’downthestreet，a-lookin’forsome’untogi’’emto。Couldn’tseeasoul，an’Iwasrunnin’’roundcleancrazy，theblokerunnin’aftermean’thinkin’

Iwas’slingin’my’ook’[runningaway]。Butjestbefore’egotme，Igotaolewomanan’poked’eminto’erapron。’

OCharity，OPhilanthropy，descendtothespikeandtakealessonfromGinger。AtthebottomoftheAbyssheperformedaspurelyanaltruisticactaswaseverperformedoutsidetheAbyss。ItwasfineofGinger，andiftheoldwomancaughtsomecontagionfromthe’noendo’

meat’onthepork-ribs，itwasstillfine，thoughnotsofine。Butthemostsalientthinginthisincident，itseemstome，ispoorGinger，’cleancrazy’atsightofsomuchfoodgoingtowaste。

Itistheruleofthecasualwardthatamanwhoentersmuststaytwonightsandaday；butIhadseensufficientformypurpose，hadpaidformyskillyandcanvas，andwaspreparingtorunforit。

’Comeon，let’sslingit，’Isaidtooneofmymates，pointingtowardtheopengatethroughwhichthedeadwagonhadcome。

’An’getfourteendays？’

’No；getaway。’

’Aw，Icome’ereforarest，’hesaidcomplacently。’An’anothernight’skipwon’t’urtmenone。’

Theywereallofthisopinion，soIwasforcedto’slingit’alone。

’Youcawn’tevercomeback’ereagainforadoss，’theywarnedme。

’Nobloodyfear，’saidI，withanenthusiasmtheycouldnotcomprehend；and，dodgingoutthegate，Ispeddownthestreet。

StraighttomyroomIhurried，changedmyclothes，andlessthananhourfrommyescape，inaTurkishbath，Iwassweatingoutwhatevergermsandotherthingshadpenetratedmyepidermis，andwishingthatI

couldstandatemperatureofthreehundredandtwentyratherthantwohundredandtwenty。

CHAPTERTEN。

CarryingtheBanner。

Iwouldnothavethelaborersacrificedtotheresult。Iwouldnothavethelaborersacrificedtomyconvenienceandpride，nortothatofagreatclassofsuchasme。Lettherebeworsecottonandbettermen。Theweavershouldnotbebereavedofhissuperioritytohiswork-

EMERSON。

’TOCARRYTHEBANNER’meanstowalkthestreetsallnight；andI，withthefigurativeemblemhoisted，wentouttoseewhatIcouldsee。Menandwomenwalkthestreetsatnightalloverthisgreatcity，butIselectedtheWestEnd，makingLeicesterSquaremybase，andscoutingaboutfromtheThamesEmbankmenttoHydePark。

Therainwasfallingheavilywhenthetheatresletout，andthebrilliantthrongwhichpouredfromtheplacesofamusementwashardputtofindcabs。Thestreetsweresomanywildriversofcabs，mostofwhichwereengaged，however；andhereIsawthedesperateattemptsofraggedmenandboystogetashelterfromthenightbyprocuringcabsforthecablessladiesandgentlemen。Iusetheword’desperate’advisedly；forthesewretchedhomelessonesweregamblingasoakingagainstabed；andmostofthem，Itooknotice，gotthesoakingandmissedthebed。Now，togothroughastormynightwithwetclothes，and，inaddition，tobeill-nourishedandnottohavetastedmeatforaweekoramonth，isaboutassevereahardshipasamancanundergo。Well-fedandwell-clad，Ihavetravelledalldaywiththespiritthermometerdowntoseventy-fourdegreesbelowzero；

andthoughIsuffered，itwasamerenothingcomparedwithcarryingthebannerforanight，ill-fed，ill-clad，andsoakingwet。

Thestreetsgrewveryquietandlonelyafterthetheatrecrowdhadgonehome。Onlyweretobeseentheubiquitouspolicemen，flashingtheirdarklanternsintodoorwaysandalleys，andmenandwomenandboystakingshelterintheleeofbuildingsfromthewindandrain。

Piccadilly，however，wasnotquitesodeserted。Itspavementswerebrightenedbywell-dressedwomenwithoutescort，andtherewasmorelifeandactiontherethanelsewhere，duetotheprocessoffindingescort。Butbythreeo’clockthelastofthemhadvanished，anditwasthenindeedlonely。

Athalf-pastonethesteadydownpourceased，andonlyshowersfellthereafter。Thehomelessfolkcameawayfromtheprotectionofthebuildings，andslouchedupanddownandeverywhere，inordertorushupthecirculationandkeepwarm。

Oneoldwoman，betweenfiftyandsixty，asheerwreck，Ihadnoticed，earlierinthenight，standinginPiccadilly，notfarfromLeicesterSquare。Sheseemedtohaveneitherthesensenorthestrengthtogetoutoftherainorkeepwalking，butstoodstupidly，whenevershegotthechance，meditatingonpastdays，Iimagine，whenlifewasyoungandbloodwaswarm。Butshedidnotgetthechanceoften。Shewasmovedonbyeverypoliceman，anditrequiredanaverageofsixmovestosendherdodderingoffoneman’sbeatandontoanother’s。Bythreeo’clockshehadprogressedasfarasSt。JamesStreet，andastheclockswerestrikingfourIsawhersleepingsoundlyagainsttheironrailingsofGreenPark。Abriskshowerwasfallingatthetime，andshemusthavebeendrenchedtotheskin。

Now，saidI，atoneo’clock，tomyself；considerthatyouareapooryoungman，penniless，inLondonTown，andthatto-morrowyoumustlookforwork。Itisnecessary，therefore，thatyougetsomesleepinorderthatyoumayhavestrengthtolookforworkandtodoworkincaseyoufindit。

SoIsatdownonthestonestepsofabuilding。Fiveminuteslater，apolicemanwaslookingatme。Myeyeswerewideopen，soheonlygruntedandpassedon。Tenminuteslatermyheadwasonmyknees，Iwasdozing，andthesamepolicemanwassayinggruffly，’’Ere，you，getoutathat！’

Igot。And，liketheoldwoman，Icontinuedtoget；foreverytimeI

dozed，apolicemanwastheretoroutmealongagain。Notlongafter，whenIhadgiventhisup，IwaswalkingwithayoungLondoner（whohadbeenouttothecoloniesandwishedhewereouttothemagain），whenI

noticedanopenpassageleadingunderabuildinganddisappearingindarkness。Alowirongatebarredtheentrance。

’Comeon，’Isaid。’Let’sclimboverandgetagoodsleep。’

’Wot？’heanswered，recoilingfromme。’An’getruninferthreemonths！BlimeyifIdo！’

Lateron，IwaspassingHydeParkwithayoungboyoffourteenorfifteen，amostwretched-lookingyouth，gauntandhollow-eyedandsick。

’Let’sgooverthefence，’Iproposed，’andcrawlintotheshrubberyforasleep。Thebobbiescouldn’tfindusthere。’

’Nofear，’heanswered。’There’stheparkguardians，andthey’drunyouinforsixmonths。’

Timeshavechanged，alas！WhenIwasayoungsterIusedtoreadofhomelessboyssleepingindoorways。Alreadythethinghasbecomeatradition。Asastocksituationitwilldoubtlesslylingerinliteratureforacenturytocome，butasacoldfactithasceasedtobe。Herearethedoorways，andherearetheboys，buthappyconjunctionsarenolongereffected。Thedoorwaysremainempty，andtheboyskeepawakeandcarrythebanner。

’Iwasdownunderthearches，’grumbledanotheryoungfellow。By’arches’hemeanttheshorearcheswherebeginthebridgesthatspantheThames。’Iwasdownunderthearches，w’enitwasryningits’ardest，an’abobbycomesinan’chysesmeout。ButIcomeback，an’’ecometoo。"’Ere"sez’e，"wotyoudoin’’ere？"An’outI

goes，butIsez，"ThinkIwantterpinch[steal]thebleedin’

bridge？"’

Amongthosewhocarrythebanner，GreenParkhasthereputationofopeningitsgatesearlierthantheotherparks，andatquarter-pastfourinthemorning，I，andmanymore，enteredGreenPark。Itwasrainingagain，buttheywerewornoutwiththenight’swalking，andtheyweredownonthebenchesandasleepatonce。Manyofthemenstretchedoutfulllengthonthedrippingwetgrass，and，withtherainfallingsteadilyuponthem，weresleepingthesleepofexhaustion。

AndnowIwishtocriticizethepowersthatbe。Theyarethepowers，thereforetheymaydecreewhatevertheyplease；soImakeboldonlytocriticizetheridiculousnessoftheirdecrees。Allnightlongtheymakethehomelessoneswalkupanddown。Theydrivethemoutofdoorsandpassages，andlockthemoutoftheparks。Theevidentintentionofallthisistodeprivethemofsleep。Wellandgood，thepowershavethepowertodeprivethemofsleep，orofanythingelseforthatmatter；butwhyunderthesundotheyopenthegatesoftheparksatfiveo’clockinthemorningandletthehomelessonesgoinsideandsleep？Ifitistheirintentiontodeprivethemofsleep，whydotheyletthemsleepafterfiveinthemorning？Andifitisnottheirintentiontodeprivethemofsleep，whydon’ttheyletthemsleepearlierinthenight？

Inthisconnection，IwillsaythatIcamebyGreenParkthatsameday，atoneintheafternoon，andthatIcountedscoresoftheraggedwretchesasleepinthegrass。ItwasSundayafternoon，thesunwasfitfullyappearing，andthewell-dressedWestEnders，withtheirwivesandprogeny，wereoutbythousands，takingtheair。Itwasnotapleasantsightforthem，thosehorrible，unkempt，sleepingvagabonds；whilethevagabondsthemselves，Iknow，wouldratherhavedonetheirsleepingthenightbefore。

Andso，dearsoftpeople，shouldyouevervisitLondonTown，andseethesemenasleeponthebenchesandinthegrass，pleasedonotthinktheyarelazycreatures，preferringsleeptowork。Knowthatthepowersthatbehavekeptthemwalkingallthenightlong，andthatinthedaytheyhavenowhereelsetosleep。

CHAPTERELEVEN。

ThePeg。

AndIbelievethatthisclaimforahealthybodyforallofuscarrieswithitallotherdueclaims；forwhoknowswheretheseedsofdisease，whichevenrichpeoplesufferfrom，werefirstsown？Fromtheluxuryofanancestor，perhaps；yetoften，Isuspect，fromhispoverty-

WILLIAMMORRIS。

BUT，AFTERCARRYINGTHEBANNERallnight，IdidnotsleepinGreenParkwhenmorningdawned。Iwaswettotheskin，itistrue，andIhadhadnosleepfortwenty-fourhours；but，stilladventuringasapennilessmanlookingforwork，Ihadtolookaboutme，firstforabreakfast，andnextforthework。

DuringthenightIhadheardofaplaceoverontheSurreysideoftheThames，wheretheSalvationArmyeverySundaymorninggaveawayabreakfasttotheunwashed。（And，bytheway，themenwhocarrythebannerareunwashedinthemorning，andunlessitisrainingtheydonothavemuchshowforawash，either。）This，thoughtI，istheverything，-breakfastinthemorning，andthenthewholedayinwhichtolookforwork。

Itwasawearywalk。DownSt。JamesStreetIdraggedmytiredlegs，alongPallMall，pastTrafalgarSquare，totheStrand。IcrossedtheWaterlooBridgetotheSurreyside，cutacrosstoBlackfriarsRoad，comingoutneartheSurreyTheatre，andarrivedattheSalvationArmybarracksbeforeseveno’clock。Thiswas’thepeg。’Andby’thepeg，’intheargot，ismeanttheplacewhereafreemealmaybeobtained。

Herewasamotleycrowdofwoebegonewretcheswhohadspentthenightintherain。Suchprodigiousmisery！andsomuchofit！Oldmen，youngmen，allmannerofmen，andboystoboot，andallmannerofboys。Someweredrowsingstandingup；halfascoreofthemwerestretchedoutonthestonestepsinmostpainfulpostures，allofthemsoundasleep，theskinoftheirbodiesshowingredthroughtheholesandrentsintheirrags。Andupanddownthestreetandacrossthestreetforablockeitherway，eachdoorstephadfromtwotothreeoccupants，allasleep，theirheadsbentforwardontheirknees。And，itmustberemembered，thesearenothardtimesinEngland。Thingsaregoingonverymuchastheyordinarilydo，andtimesareneitherhardnoreasy。

Andthencamethepoliceman。’Getoutathat，youbloodyswine！Eigh！

eigh！Getoutnow！’AndlikeswinehedrovethemfromthedoorwaysandscatteredthemtothefourwindsofSurrey。Butwhenheencounteredthecrowdasleeponthestepshewasastounded。’Shocking！’heexclaimed。’Shocking！AndofaSundaymorning！Aprettysight！Eigh！

eigh！Getoutathat，youbleedingnuisances！’

Ofcourseitwasashockingsight。Iwasshockedmyself。AndI

shouldnotcaretohavemyowndaughterpollutehereyeswithsuchasight，orcomewithinhalfamileofit；but-andtherewewere，andthereyouare，and’but’isallthatcanbesaid。

Thepolicemanpassedon，andbackweclustered，likefliesaroundahoneyjar。Forwastherenotthatwonderfulthing，abreakfast，awaitingus？Wecouldnothaveclusteredmorepersistentlyanddesperatelyhadtheybeengivingawaymillion-dollarbank-notes。

Somewerealreadyofftosleep，whenbackcamethepolicemanandawaywescattered，onlytoreturnagainassoonasthecoastwasclear。

Athalf-pastsevenalittledooropened，andaSalvationArmysoldierstuckouthishead。’Ayn’tnosenseblockin’thewyupthatwy，’hesaid。’Thoseas’asticketscawncomehinnow，an’thoseas’asn’tcawn’tcomehintillnine。’

Oh，thatbreakfast！Nineo’clock！Anhourandahalflonger！Themenwhoheldticketsweregreatlyenvied。Theywerepermittedtogoinside，haveawash，andsitdownandrestuntilbreakfast，whilewewaitedforthesamebreakfastonthestreet。Theticketshadbeendistributedthepreviousnightonthestreet，andalongtheEmbankment，andthepossessionofthemwasnotamatterofmerit，butofchance。

Ateight-thirty，moremenwithticketswereadmitted，andbyninethelittlegatewasopenedtous。Wecrushedthroughsomehow，andfoundourselvespackedinacourtyardlikesardines。Onmoreoccasionsthanone，asaYankeetrampinYankeeland，Ihavehadtoworkformybreakfast；butfornobreakfastdidIeverworksohardasforthisone。ForovertwohoursIhadwaitedoutside，andforoveranotherhourIwaitedinthispackedcourtyard。Ihadhadnothingtoeatallnight，andIwasweakandfaint，whilethesmell。ofthesoiledclothesandunwashedbodies，steamingfrompentanimalheat，andblockedsolidlyaboutme，nearlyturnedmystomach。Sotightlywerewepacked，thatanumberofthementookadvantageoftheopportunityandwentsoundlyasleepstandingup。

Now，abouttheSalvationArmyingeneralIknownothing，andwhatevercriticismIshallmakehereisofthatparticularportionoftheSalvationArmywhichdoesbusinessonBlackfriarsRoadneartheSurreyTheatre。Inthefirstplace，thisforcingofmenwhohavebeenupallnighttostandontheirfeetforhourslonger，isascruelasitisneedless。Wewereweak，famished，andexhaustedfromournight’shardshipandlackofsleep，andyettherewestood，andstood，andstood，withoutrhymeorreason。

Sailorswereveryplentifulinthiscrowd。Itseemedtomethatonemaninfourwaslookingforaship，andIfoundatleastadozenofthemtobeAmericansailors。Inaccountingfortheirbeing’onthebeach，’Ireceivedthesamestoryfromeachandall，andfrommyknowledgeofseaaffairsthisstoryrangtrue。Englishshipssigntheirsailorsforthevoyagewhichmeanstheroundtrip，sometimeslastingaslongasthreeyears；andtheycannotsignoffandreceivetheirdischargesuntiltheyreachthehomeport，whichisEngland。

Theirwagesarelow，theirfoodisbad，andtheirtreatmentworse。

VeryoftentheyarereallyforcedbytheircaptainstodesertintheNewWorldorthecolonies，leavingahandsomesumofwagesbehindthem，-adistinctgain，eithertothecaptainortheowners，ortoboth。Butwhetherforthisreasonaloneornot，itisafactthatlargenumbersofthemdesert。Then，forthehomevoyage，theshipengageswhateversailorsitcanfindonthebeach。Thesemenareengagedatthesomewhathigherwagesthatobtaininotherportionsoftheworld，undertheagreementthattheyshallsignoffonreachingEngland。Thereasonforthisisobvious；foritwouldbepoorbusinesspolicytosignthemforanylongertime，sinceseamen’swagesarelowinEngland，andEnglandisalwayscrowdedwithsailormenonthebeach。SothisfullyaccountedfortheAmericanseamenattheSalvationArmybarracks。TogetoffthebeachinotheroutlandishplacestheyhadcometoEngland，andgoneonthebeachinthemostoutlandishplaceofall。

TherewerefullyascoreofAmericansinthecrowd，thenon-sailorsbeing’trampsroyal，’themenwhose’mateisthewindthattrampstheworld。’Theywereallcheerful，facingthingswiththepluckwhichistheirchiefcharacteristicandwhichseemsnevertodesertthem，withaltheywerecursingthecountrywithluridmetaphorsquiterefreshingafteramonthofunimaginative，monotonousCockneyswearing。TheCockneyhasoneoath，andoneoathonly，themostindecentinthelanguage，whichheusesonanyandeveryoccasion。FardifferentistheluminousandvariedWesternswearing，whichrunstoblasphemyratherthanindecency。Andafterall，sincemenwillswear，IthinkIpreferblasphemytoindecency；thereisanaudacityaboutit，anadventurousnessanddefiancethatisfarfinerthansheerfilthiness。

TherewasoneAmericantramproyalwhomIfoundparticularlyenjoyable。Ifirstnoticedhimonthestreet，asleepinadoorway，hisheadonhisknees，butahatonhisheadthatonedoesnotmeetthissideoftheWesternOcean。Whenthepolicemanroutedhimout，hegotupslowlyanddeliberately，lookedatthepoliceman，yawnedandstretchedhimself，lookedatthepolicemanagainasmuchastosayhedidn’tknowwhetherhewouldorwouldn’t，andthensaunteredleisurelydownthesidewalk。AttheoutsetIwassureofthehat，butthismademesureofthewearerofthathat。

InthejaminsideIfoundmyselfalongsideofhim，andwehadquiteachat。HehadbeenthroughSpain，Italy，Switzerland，andFrance，andhadaccomplishedthepracticallyimpossiblefeatofbeatinghiswaythreehundredmilesonaFrenchrailwaywithoutbeingcaughtatthefinish。WherewasIhangingout？heasked。AndhowdidImanagefor’kipping’？-whichmeanssleeping。DidIknowtheroundsyet？Hewasgettingon，thoughthecountrywas’horstyl’andthecitieswere’bum。’Fierce，wasn’tit？Couldn’t’batter’（beg）

anywherewithoutbeing’pinched。’Buthewasn’tgoingtoquitit。

BuffaloBill’sShowwascomingoversoon，andamanwhocoulddriveeighthorseswassureofajobanytime。Thesemugsoverheredidn’tknowbeansaboutdrivinganythingmorethanaspan。WhatwasthematterwithmehangingonandwaitingforBuffaloBill？HewassureIcouldringinsomehow。

Andso，afterall，bloodisthickerthanwater。Wewerefellow-countrymenandstrangersinastrangeland。Ihadwarmedtohisbatteredoldhatatsightofit，andhewasassolicitousformywelfareasifwewerebloodbrothers。Weswappedallmannerofusefulinformationconcerningthecountryandthewaysofitspeople，methodsbywhichtoobtainfoodandshelterandwhatnot，andwepartedgenuinelysorryathavingtosaygood-by。

Onethingparticularlyconspicuousinthiscrowdwastheshortnessofstature。I，whoambutofmediumheight，lookedovertheheadsofnineoutoften。Thenativeswereallshort，asweretheforeignsailors。Therewereonlyfiveorsixinthecrowdwhocouldbecalledfairlytall，andtheywereScandinaviansandAmericans。Thetallestmanthere，however，wasanexception。HewasanEnglishman，thoughnotaLondoner。’CandidatefortheLifeGuards，’Iremarkedtohim。’You’vehitit，mate，’washisreply；’I’veservedmybitinthatsame，andthewaythingsareI’llbebackatitbeforelong。’

Foranhourwestoodquietlyinthispackedcourtyard。Thenthemenbegantogrowrestless。Therewaspushingandshovingforward，andamildhubbubofvoices。Nothingrough，however，orviolent；merelytherestlessnessofwearyandhungrymen。Atthisjunctureforthcametheadjutant。Ididnotlikehim。Hiseyeswerenotgood。TherewasnothingofthelowlyGalileanabouthim，butagreatdealofthecenturionwhosaid：’ForIamamaninauthority，havingsoldiersunderme；andIsaytothisman，Go，andhegoeth；andtoanother，Come，andhecometh；andtomyservant，Dothis，andhedoethit。’

Well，helookedatusinjustthatway，andthosenearesttohimquailed。Thenheliftedhisvoice。

’Stopthis’ere，now，orI’llturnyoutheotherwy，an’marchyouout，an’you’llgetnobreakfast。’

Icannotconveybyprintedspeechtheinsufferablewayinwhichhesaidthis，theself-consciousnessofsuperiority，thebrutalgluttonyofpower。Herevelledinthathewasamaninauthority，abletosaytohalfathousandraggedwretches，’Youmayeatorgohungry，asIelect。’

Todenyusourbreakfastafterstandingforhours！Itwasanawfulthreat，andthepitiful，abjectsilencewhichinstantlyfellattesteditsawfulness。Anditwasacowardlythreat，afoulblow，struckbelowthebelt。Wecouldnotstrikeback，forwewerestarving；

anditisthewayoftheworldthatwhenonemanfeedsanotherheistheman’smaster。Butthecenturion-Imeantheadjutant-wasnotsatisfied。Inthedeadsilenceheraisedhisvoiceagain，andrepeatedthethreat，andamplifiedit，andglaredferociously。

Atlastwewerepermittedtoenterthefeastinghall，wherewefoundthe’ticketmen’washedbutunfed。Alltold，theremusthavebeennearlysevenhundredofuswhosatdown-nottomeatorbread，buttospeech，song，andprayer。FromallofwhichIamconvincedthatTantalussuffersinmanyguisesthissideoftheinfernalregions。Theadjutantmadetheprayer，butIdidnottakenoteofit，beingtooengrossedwiththemassedpictureofmiserybeforeme。Butthespeechransomethinglikethis：’Youwillfeastinparadise。Nomatterhowyoustarveandsufferhere，youwillfeastinparadise，thatis，ifyouwillfollowthedirections。’Andsoforthandsoforth。A

cleverbitofpropaganda，Itookit，butrenderedofnoavailfortworeasons。First，themenwhoreceiveditwereunimaginativeandmaterialistic，unawareoftheexistenceofanyUnseen，andtooinuredtohellonearthtobefrightenedbyhelltocome。Andsecond，wearyandexhaustedfromthenight’ssleeplessnessandhardship，sufferingfromthelongwaitupontheirfeet，andfaintfromhunger，theywereyearning，notforsalvation，butforgrub。The’soul-snatchers’（asthesemencallallreligiouspropagandists）

shouldstudythephysiologicalbasisofpsychologyalittle，iftheywishtomaketheireffortsmoreeffective。

Allingoodtime，abouteleveno’clock，breakfastarrived。Itarrived，notonplates，butinpaperparcels。IdidnothaveallI

wanted，andIamsurethatnomantherehadallhewanted，orhalfofwhathewantedorneeded。IgavepartofmybreadtothetramproyalwhowaswaitingforBuffaloBill，andhewasasravenousattheendashewasinthebeginning。Thisisthebreakfast：twoslicesofbread，onesmallpieceofbreadwithraisinsinitandcalled’cake，’awaferofcheese，andamugof’waterbewitched。’

Numbersofthemenhadbeenwaitingsincefiveo’clockforit，whileallofushadwaitedatleastfourhours；andinaddition，wehadbeenherdedlikeswine，packedlikesardines，andtreatedlikecurs，andbeenpreachedat，andsungto，andprayedfor。Norwasthatall。

Nosoonerwasbreakfastover（anditwasoveralmostasquicklyasittakestotell）thanthetiredheadsbegantonodanddroop，andinfiveminuteshalfofusweresoundasleep。Therewerenosignsofourbeingdismissed，whiletherewereunmistakablesignsofpreparationforameeting。Ilookedatasmallclockhangingonthewall。Itindicatedtwenty-fiveminutestotwelve。Heighho，thoughtI，timeisflying，andIhaveyettolookforwork。

’Iwanttogo，’Isaidtoacoupleofwakingmennearme。

’Gotterstyfertheservice，’wastheanswer。

’Doyouwanttostay？’Iasked。

Theyshooktheirheads。

’Thenletusgoupandtellthemwewanttogetout，’Icontinued。

’Comeon。’

Butthepoorcreatureswereaghast。SoIleftthemtotheirfate，andwentuptothenearestSalvationArmyman。

’Iwanttogo，’Isaid。’IcamehereforbreakfastinorderthatI

mightbeinshapetolookforwork。Ididn’tthinkitwouldtakesolongtogetbreakfast。IthinkIhaveachanceforworkinStepney，andthesoonerIstart，thebetterchanceI’llhaveofgettingit。’

Hewasreallyagoodfellow，thoughhewasstartledbymyrequest。

’Why，’hesaid，’we’regoin’to’oldservices，andyou’dbettersty。’

’Butthatwillspoilmychancesforwork，’Iurged。’Andworkisthemostimportantthingformejustnow。’

Ashewasonlyaprivate，hereferredmetotheadjutant，andtotheadjutantIrepeatedmyreasonsforwishingtogo，andpolitelyrequestedthatheletmego。

’Butitcawn’tbedone，’hesaid，waxingvirtuouslyindignantatsuchingratitude。’Theidea！’hesnorted。’Theidea！’

’DoyoumeantosaythatIcan’tgetoutofhere？’Idemanded。’Thatyouwillkeepmehereagainstmywill？’

’Yes，’hesnorted。

Idonotknowwhatmighthavehappened，forIwaswaxingindignantmyself；butthe’congregation’had’piped’thesituation，andhedrewmeovertoacorneroftheroom，andthenintoanotherroom。Hereheagaindemandedmyreasonsforwishingtogo。

’Iwanttogo，’Isaid，’becauseIwishtolookforworkoverinStepney，andeveryhourlessensmychanceoffindingwork。Itisnowtwenty-fiveminutestotwelve。IdidnotthinkwhenIcameinthatitwouldtakesolongtogetabreakfast。’

’You’avebusiness，eh？’hesneered。’Amanofbusinessyouare，eh？

Thenwotdidyoucome’erefor？’

’Iwasoutallnight，andIneededabreakfastinordertostrengthenmetofindwork。ThatiswhyIcamehere。’

’Anicethingtodo，’hewenton，inthesamesneeringmanner。’A

manwithbusinessshouldn’tcome’ere。You’vetykensomepoorman’sbreakfast’erethismorning，that’swotyou’vedone。’

Whichwasalie，foreverymother’ssonofushadcomein。

NowIsubmit，wasthisChristian-like，orevenhonest？-afterI

hadplainlystatedthatIwashomelessandhungry，andthatIwishedtolookforwork，forhimtocallmylookingforwork’business’，tocallmethereforeabusinessman，andtodrawthecorollarythatamanofbusiness，andwelloff，didnotrequireacharitybreakfast，andthatbytakingacharitybreakfastIhadrobbedsomehungrywaifwhowasnotamanofbusiness。

Ikeptmytemper，butIwentoverthefactsagainandclearlyandconciselydemonstratedtohimhowunjusthewasandhowhehadpervertedthefacts。AsImanifestednosignsofbackingdown（andI

amsuremyeyeswerebeginningtosnap），heledmetotherearofthebuilding，where，inanopencourt，stoodatent。Inthesamesneeringtoneheinformedacoupleofprivatesstandingtherethat’’ereisafellowthat’asbusinessan’’ewantstogobeforeservices。’

Theyweredulyshocked，ofcourse，andtheylookedunutterablehorrorwhilehewentintothetentandbroughtoutthemajor。Stillinthesamesneeringmanner，layingparticularstressonthe’business，’hebroughtmycasebeforethecommandingofficer。Themajorwasofadifferentstampofman。IlikedhimassoonasIsawhim，andtohimIstatedmycaseinthesamefashionasbefore。

’Didn’tyouknowyouhadtostayforservices？’heasked。

’Certainlynot，’Ianswered，’orIshouldhavegonewithoutmybreakfast。Youhavenoplacardspostedtothateffect，norwasIsoinformedwhenIenteredtheplace。’

Hemeditatedamoment。’Youcango，’hesaid。

Itwastwelveo’clockwhenIgainedthestreet，andIcouldn’tquitemakeupmymindwhetherIhadbeeninthearmyorinprison。Thedaywashalfgone，anditwasafarfetchtoStepney。Andbesides，itwasSunday，andwhyshouldevenastarvingmanlookforworkonSunday？Furthermore，itwasmyjudgmentthatIhaddoneahardnight’sworkwalkingthestreets，andahardday’sworkgettingmybreakfast；soIdisconnectedmyselffrommyworkinghypothesisofastarvingyoungmaninsearchofemployment，hailedabus，andclimbedaboard。

Afterashaveandabath，withmyclothesalloff，Igotinbetweencleanwhitesheetsandwenttosleep。ItwassixintheeveningwhenIclosedmyeyes。Whentheyopenedagain，theclockswerestrikingninenextmorning。Ihadsleptfifteenstraighthours。AndasIlaytheredrowsily，mymindwentbacktothesevenhundredunfortunatesIhadleftwaitingforservices。Nobath，noshaveforthem，nocleanwhitesheetsandallclothesoff，andfifteenhoursstraightsleep。Servicesover，itwasthewearystreetsagain，theproblemofacrustofbreaderenight，andthelongsleeplessnightinthestreets，andtheponderingoftheproblemofhowtoobtainacrustatdawn。

CHAPTERTWELVE。

CoronationDay。

Othouthatsea-wallsseverFromlandsunwalledbyseas！

Wiltthouendureforever，OMilton’sEngland，these？

ThouthatwasthisRepublic，Wiltthouclasptheirknees？

Theseroyaltiesrust-eaten，Theseworm-corrodedliesThatkeepthyheadstorm-beaten，Andsun-likestrengthofeyesFromtheopenairandheavenOfinterceptedskies！-

SWINBURNE。

VIVATREXEDUARDUS！Theycrownedakingthisday，andtherehasbeengreatrejoicingandelaboratetomfoolery，andIamperplexedandsaddened。Ineversawanythingtocomparewiththepageant，exceptYankeecircusesandAlhambraballets；nordidIeverseeanythingsohopelessandsotragic。

TohaveenjoyedtheCoronationprocession，IshouldhavecomestraightfromAmericatotheHotelCecil，andstraightfromtheHotelCeciltoafive-guineaseatamongthewashed。MymistakewasincomingfromtheunwashedoftheEastEnd。Therewerenotmanywhocamefromthatquarter。TheEastEnd，asawhole，remainedintheEastEndandgotdrunk。TheSocialists，Democrats，andRepublicanswentofftothecountryforabreathoffreshair，quiteunaffectedbythefactthatfortymillionsofpeopleweretakingtothemselvesacrownedandanointedruler。Sixthousandfivehundredprelates，priests，statesmen，princes，andwarriorsbeheldthecrowningandanointingandtherestofusthepageantasitpassed。

IsawitatTrafalgarSquare，’themostsplendidsiteinEurope，’

andtheveryuttermostheartoftheempire。Thereweremanythousandsofus，allcheckedandheldinorderbyasuperbdisplayofarmedpower。Thelineofmarchwasdouble-walledwithsoldiers。ThebaseoftheNelsonColumnwastriple-fringedwithblue-jackets。

Eastward，attheentrancetothesquare，stoodtheRoyalMarineArtillery。InthetriangleofPallMallandCockspur，thestatueofGeorgeIllwasbuttressedoneithersidebytheLancersandHussars。

TothewestweretheredcoatsoftheRoyalMarines，andfromtheUnionClubtotheembouchureofWhitehallswepttheglittering，massivecurveofthe1stLifeGuards-giganticmenmountedongiganticcharges，steel-breastplated，steel-helmeted，steel-caparisoned，agreatwar-swordofsteelreadytothehandofthepowersthatbe。

Andfurther，throughoutthecrowd，wereflunglonglinesoftheMetropolitanConstabulary，whileintherearwerethereserves-

tall，well-fedmen，withweaponstowieldandmusclestowieldthemincaseofneed。

AndasitwasthusatTrafalgarSquare，sowasitalongthewholelineofmarch-force，overpoweringforce；myriadsofmen，splendidmen，thepickofthepeople，whosesolefunctioninlifeisblindlytoobey，andblindlytokillanddestroyandstampoutlife。Andthattheyshouldbewellfed，wellclothed，andwellarmed，andhaveshipstohurlthemtotheendsoftheearth，theEastEndofLondon，andthe’EastEnd’ofallEngland，toilsandrotsanddies。

ThereisaChineseproverbthatifonemanlivesinlazinessanotherwilldieofhunger；andMontesquieuhassaid，’Thefactthatmanymenareoccupiedinmakingclothesforoneindividualisthecauseoftherebeingmanypeoplewithoutclothes。’Sooneexplainstheother。WecannotunderstandthestarvedandruntytoileroftheEastEnd（livingwithhisfamilyinaone-roomden，andlettingoutthefloorspaceforlodgingstootherstarvedandruntytoilers）tillwelookatthestrappingLifeGuardsmenoftheWestEnd，andcometoknowthattheonemustfeedandclotheandgroomtheother。

AndwhileinWestminsterAbbeythepeopleweretakinguntothemselvesaking，I，jammedbetweentheLifeGuardsandConstabularyofTrafalgarSquare，wasdwellinguponthetimewhenthepeopleofIsraelfirsttookuntothemselvesaking。Youallknowhowitruns。TheelderscametotheProphetSamuel，andsaid：’Makeusakingtojudgeuslikeallthenations。’

AndtheLordsaiduntoSamuel：Nowthereforehearkenuntotheirvoice；howbeitthoushaltshowthemthemannerofthekingthatshallreignoverthem。

AndSamueltoldallthewordsoftheLorduntothepeoplethataskedofhimaking，andhesaid：

Thiswillbethemannerofthekingthatshallreignoveryou；

hewilltakeyoursons，andappointthemuntohim，forhischariots，andtobehishorsemen，andtheyshallrunbeforehischariots。

Andhewillappointthemuntohimforcaptainsofthousands，andcaptainsoffifties；andhewillsetsometoploughhisground，andtoreaphisharvest，andtomakehisinstrumentsofwar，andtheinstrumentsofhischariots。

Andhewilltakeyourdaughterstobeconfectionaries，andtobecooks，andtobebakers。

Andhewilltakeyourfields，andyourvineyards，andyouroliveyards，eventhebestofthem，andgivethemtohisservants。

Andhewilltakeatenthofyourseed，andofyourvineyards，andgivetohisofficers，andtohisservants。

Andhewilltakeyourmenservants，andyourmaidservants，andyourgoodliestyoungmen，andyourasses，andputthemtohiswork。

Hewilltakeatenthofyourflocks；andyeshallbehisservants。

Andyeshallcalloutinthatdaybecauseofyourkingwhichyeshallhavechosenyou；andtheLordwillnotansweryouinthatday。

Allofwhichcametopassinthatancientday，andtheydidcryouttoSamuel，saying：’PrayforthyservantsuntotheLordthyGod，thatwedienot；forwehaveaddeduntoalloursinsthisevil，toaskusaking。’AndafterSaulandDavidcameSolomon，who’answeredthepeopleroughly，saying：Myfathermadeyouryokeheavy，butIwilladdtoyouryoke；myfatherchastisedyouwithwhips，butIwillchastiseyouwithscorpions。’

Andintheselatterdays，fivehundredhereditarypeersownone-fifthofEngland；andthey，andtheofficersandservantsundertheKing，andthosewhogotocomposethepowersthatbe，yearlyspendinwastefulluxury$1，850，000，000，whichisthirty-twopercentofthetotalwealthproducedbyallthetoilersofthecountry。

AttheAbbey，cladinwonderfulgoldenraiment，amidfanfareoftrumpetsandthrobbingofmusic，surroundedbyabrilliantthrongofmasters，lords，andrulers，theKingwasbeinginvestedwiththeinsigniaofhissovereignty。ThespurswereplacedtohisheelsbytheLordGreatChamberlain，andaswordofstate，inpurplescabbard，waspresentedhimbytheArchbishopofCanterbury，withthesewords：

ReceivethiskinglyswordbroughtnowfromthealtarofGod，anddeliveredtoyoubythehandsofthebishopsandservantsofGod，thoughunworthy。

Whereupon，beinggirded，hegaveheedtotheArchbishop’sexhortation：

Withthissworddojustice，stopthegrowthofiniquity，protecttheHolyChurchofGod，helpanddefendwidowsandorphans，restorethethingsthataregonetodecay，maintainthethingsthatarerestored，punishandreformwhatisamiss，andconfirmwhatisingoodorder。

Buthark！ThereischeeringdownWhitehall；thecrowdsways，thedoublewallsofsoldierscometoattention，andintoviewswingtheKing’swatermen，infantasticmediaevalgarbsofred，foralltheworldlikethevanofacircusparade。Thenaroyalcarriage，filledwithladiesandgentlemenofthehousehold，withpowderedfootmenandcoachmenmostgorgeouslyarrayed。Morecarriages，lords，andchamberlains，viscounts，mistressesoftherobes-lackeysall。Thenthewarriors，akinglyescort，generals，bronzedandworn，fromtheendsoftheearthcomeuptoLondonTown；volunteerofficers，officersofthemilitiaandregularforces；SpensandPlumer，BroadwoodandCooperwhorelievedOokiep，MalthiasofDargai，DixonofVlakfontein；GeneralGaseleeandAdmiralSeymourofChina；KitchenerofKhartoum；LordRobertsofIndiaandalltheworld-thefightingmenofEngland，mastersofdestruction，engineersofdeath！Anotherraceofmenfromthoseoftheshopsandslums，atotallydifferentraceofmen。

Butheretheycome，inallthepompandcertitudeofpower，andstilltheycome，thesemenofsteel，thesewarlordsandworldharnessers。Pell-mell，peersandcommoners，princesandmaharajahs，EquerriestotheKingandYeomenoftheGuard。Andherethecolonials，litheandhardymen；andhereallthebreedsofalltheworld-

soldiersfromCanada，Australia，NewZealand；fromBermuda，Borneo，Fiji，andtheGoldCoast；fromRhodesia，CapeColony，Natal，SierraLeoneandGambia，Nigeria，andUganda；fromCeylon，Cyprus，Hong-Kong，Jamaica，andWei-Hai-Wei；fromLagos，Malta，St。Lucia，Singapore，StraitsSettlements，Trinidad。AndheretheconqueredmenofInd，swarthyhorsemenandswordwielders，fiercelybarbaric，blazingincrimsonandscarlet，Sikhs，Rajputs，Burmese，provincebyprovince，andcastebycaste。

AndnowtheHorseGuards，aglimpseofbeautifulcreamponies，andagoldenpanoply，ahurricaneofcheers，thecrashingofbands-’TheKing！theKing！GodsavetheKing！’Everybodyhasgonemad。Thecontagionissweepingmeoffmyfeet。I，too，wanttoshout，’TheKing！GodsavetheKing！’Raggedmenaboutme，tearsintheireyes，aretossinguptheirhatsandcryingecstatically，’Bless’em！Bless’em！Bless’em！’See，thereheis，inthatwondrousgoldencoach，thegreatcrownflashingonhishead，thewomaninwhitebesidehimlikewisecrowned。

AndIcheckmyselfwitharush，strivingtoconvincemyselfthatitisallrealandrational，andnotsomeglimpseoffairyland。ThisI

cannotsucceedindoing，anditisbetterso。Imuchprefertobelievethatallthispomp，andvanity，andshow，andmumbo-jumbofooleryhascomefromfairlyand，thantobelieveittheperformanceofsaneandsensiblepeoplewhohavemasteredmatter，andsolvedthesecretsofthestars。

Princesandprincelings，dukes，duchesses，andallmannerofcoronetedfolkoftheroyaltrainareflashingpast；morewarriors，andlackeys，andconqueredpeoples，andthepageantisover。Idriftwiththecrowdoutofthesquareintoatangleofnarrowstreets，wherethepublichousesarea-roarwithdrunkenness，men，women，andchildrenmixedtogetherincolossaldebauch。AndoneverysideisrisingthefavoritesongoftheCoronation：

Oh！onCoronationDay，onCoronationDay，We’llhaveaspree，ajubilee，andshout，Hip，hip，hooray，Forwe’llallbemerry，drinkingwhiskey，wine，andsherry。

We’llbemerryonCoronationDay。

Therainispouringdownintorrents。Upthestreetcometroopsoftheauxiliaries，blackAfricansandyellowAsiatics，beturbanedandbefezed，andcooliesswingingalongwithmachinegunsandmountainbatteriesontheirheads，andthebarefeetofall，inquickrhythm，goingslish，slish，throughthepavementmud。Thepublichousesemptybymagic，andtheswarthyallegiantsarecheeredbytheirBritishbrothers，whoreturnatoncetothecarouse。

’Andhowdidyouliketheprocession，mate？’IaskedanoldmanonabenchinGreenPark。

’’OwdidIlikeit？Abloodygoodchawnce，sezItomyself，forasleep，wi’allthecoppersaw’y，soIturnedintothecornerthere，alongwi’fiftyothers。ButIcouldn’tsleep，a-lyin’there’ungryan’

thinkin’’owI’dworkedalltheyearso’mylifean’now’adnoplycetorestmy’ead；an’themusiccomin’tome，an’thecheersan’cannon，tillIgotalmostahanarchistan’wantedtoblowoutthebrainso’theLordChamberlain。’

WhytheLordChamberlain，Icouldnotpreciselysee，norcouldhe，butthatwasthewayhefelt，hesaidconclusively，andtherewasnomorediscussion。

Asnightdrewon，thecitybecameablazeoflight。Splashesofcolor，green，amber，andruby，caughttheeyeateverypoint，and’E。R。，’ingreatcut-crystallettersandbackedbyflaminggas，waseverywhere。Thecrowdsinthestreetsincreasedbyhundredsofthousands，andthoughthepolicesternlyputdownmafficking，drunkennessandroughplayabounded。Thetiredworkersseemedtohavegonemadwiththerelaxationandexcitement，andtheysurgedanddanceddownthestreets，menandwomen，oldandyoung，withlinkedarmsandinlongrows，singing，’Imaybecrazy，butIloveyou，’

’DollyGray，’and’TheHoneysuckleandtheBee，’-thelastrenderedsomethinglikethis：

Yewawtheenny，ennyseckle，Oiemtherbee，Oi’dliketersiptherennyfromthoseredlips，yewsee。

IsatonabenchontheThamesEmbankment，lookingacrosstheilluminatedwater。Itwasapproachingmidnight，andbeforemepouredthebetterclassofmerrymakers，shunningthemoreriotousstreetsandreturninghome。Onthebenchbesidemesattworaggedcreatures，amanandawoman，noddinganddozing。Thewomansatwithherarmsclaspedacrossthebreast，holdingtightly，herbodyinconstantplay，-nowdroppingforwardtillitseemeditsbalancewouldbeovercomeandshewouldfalltothepavement；nowincliningtotheleft，sideways，tillherheadrestedontheman’sshoulder；andnowtotheright，stretchedandstrained，tillthepainofitawokeherandshesatboltupright。Whereuponthedroppingforwardwouldbeginagainandgothroughitscycletillshewasarousedbythestrainandstretch。

Everylittlewhile，boysandyoungmenstoppedlongenoughtogobehindthebenchandgiveventtosuddenandfiendishshouts。Thisalwaysjerkedthemanandwomanabruptlyfromtheirsleep；andatsightofthestartledwoeupontheirfacesthecrowdwouldroarwithlaughterasitfloodedpast。

Thiswasthemoststrikingthing，thegeneralheartlessnessexhibitedoneveryhand。Itisacommonplace，thehomelessonthebenches，thepoormiserablefolkwhomaybeteasedandareharmless。

FiftythousandpeoplemusthavepassedthebenchwhileIsatuponit，andnotone，onsuchajubileeoccasionasthecrowningoftheKing，felthisheart-stringstouchedsufficientlytocomeupandsaytothewoman：’Here’ssixpence；goandgetabed。’Butthewomen，especiallytheyoungwomen，madewittyremarksuponthewomannodding，andinvariablysettheircompanionslaughing。

TouseaBriticism，itwas’cruel’；thecorrespondingAmericanismwasmoreappropriate-itwas’fierce。’IconfessIbegantogrowincensedatthishappycrowdstreamingby，andtoextractasortofsatisfactionfromtheLondonstatisticswhichdemonstratethatoneineveryfouradultsisdestinedtodieonpubliccharity，eitherintheworkhouse，theinfirmary，ortheasylum。

Italkedwiththeman。Hewasfifty-fourandabroken-downdocker。

Hecouldonlyfindoddworkwhentherewasalargedemandforlabor，fortheyoungerandstrongermenwerepreferredwhentimeswereslack。

Hehadspentaweek，now，onthebenchesoftheEmbankment；butthingslookedbrighterfornextweek，andhemightpossiblygetinafewdays’workandhaveabedinsomedoss-house。HehadlivedallhislifeinLondon，saveforfiveyears，when，in1878，hesawforeignserviceinIndia。

Ofcoursehewouldeat；sowouldthegirl。Dayslikethiswereuncommonhardonsuchasthey，thoughthecoppersweresobusypoorfolkcouldgetinmoresleep。Iawokethegirl，orwomanrather，forshewas’Eyghtan’twenty，sir’；andwestartedforacoffee-house。

’’Wotaloto’work，puttin’upthelights，’saidthemanatsightofsomebuildingsuperblyilluminated。Thiswasthekeynoteofhisbeing。Allhislifehehadworked，andthewholeobjectiveuniverse，aswellashisownsoul，hecouldexpressintermsonlyofwork。

’Coronationsissomegood，’hewenton。’Theygiveworktomen。’

’Butyourbellyisempty，’Isaid。

’Yes，’heanswered。’Itried，buttherewasn’tanychawnce。Myageisagainstme。Wotdoyouworkat？Seafarin’chap，eh？Iknewitfromyerclothes。’

’Iknowwotyouare，’saidthegirl，’anEyetalian。’

’No’eayn’t，’themancriedheatedly。’’E’saYank，that’swot’eis。Iknow。’

’Lordlumme，looka’that，’sheexclaimedaswedebouchedupontheStrand，chokedwiththeroaring，reelingCoronationcrowd，themenbellowingandthegirlssinginginhighthroatynotes：

Oh！onCoronationD’y，onCoronationD’y，We’ll’aveaspree，ajubilee，an’shout’Ip，’ip，’ooray。

Forwe’llallbemerry，drinkin’whiskey，wine，andsherry，We’llbemerryonCoronationD’y。

’’OwdirtyIam，bein’aroundthew’yI’ave，’thewomansaid，asshesatdowninacoffee-house，wipingthesleepandgrimefromthecornersofhereyes。’An’thesightsI’aveseenthisd’y，an’I

enjoyedit，thoughitwaslonesomebymyself。An’theduchessesan’

thelydies’adsichgran’w’itedresses。Theywasjestbu’ful，bu’ful。’

’I’mIrish，’shesaid，inanswertoaquestion。’Mynyme’sEyethorne。’

’What？’Iasked。

’Eyethorne，sir；Eyethorne。’

’Spellit。’

’H-a-y-t-h-o-r-n-e，Eyethorne。’

’Oh，’Isaid，’IrishCockney。’

’Yes，sir，London-born。’

Shehadlivedhappilyathometillherfatherdied，killedinanaccident，whenshehadfoundherselfontheworld。Onebrotherwasinthearmy，andtheotherbrother，engagedinkeepingawifeandeightchildrenontwentyshillingsaweekandunsteadyemployment，coulddonothingforher。ShehadbeenoutofLondononceinherlife，toaplaceinEssex，twelvemilesaway，whereshehadpickedfruitforthreeweeks-’An’Iwasasbrownasaberryw’enIcomeback。Youwon’tb’lieveit，butIwas。’

Thelastplaceinwhichshehadworkedwasacoffee-house，hoursfromseveninthemorningtillelevenatnight，andforwhichshehadreceivedfiveshillingsaweekandherfood。Thenshehadfallensick，andsinceemergingfromthehospitalhadbeenunabletofindanythingtodo。Shewasn’tfeelinguptomuch，andthelasttwonightshadbeenspentinthestreet。

Betweenthemtheystowedawayaprodigiousamountoffood，thismanandwoman，anditwasnottillIhadduplicatedandtriplicatedtheiroriginalordersthattheyshowedsignsofeasingdown。

Onceshereachedacrossandfeltthetextureofmycoatandshirt，andremarkeduponthegoodclothestheYankswore。Myragsgoodclothes！Itputmetotheblush；but，oninspectingthemmorecloselyandonexaminingtheclotheswornbythemanandwoman，I

begantofeelquitewell-dressedandrespectable。

’Whatdoyouexpecttodointheend？’Iaskedthem。’Youknowyou’regrowingoldereveryday。’

’Work’ouse，’saidhe。

’GawdblimeyifIdo，’saidshe。’There’sno’opeforme，Iknow，butI’lldieonthestreets。Nowork’ouseforme，thankyou。’

’No，indeed，’shesniffedinthesilencethatfell。

’Afteryouhavebeenoutallnightinthestreets，’Iasked，’whatdoyoudointhemorningforsomethingtoeat？’

’Trytogetapenny，ifyou’aven’tonesavedover，’themanexplained。’Thengotoacoffee-’ousean’getamugo’tea。’

’ButIdon’tseehowthatistofeedyou，’Iobjected。

Thepairsmiledknowingly。

’Youdrinkyourteainlittlesips，’hewenton，’makingitlastitslongest。An’youlooksharp，an’there’ssomeasleavesabitbe’ind’em。’

’It’ss’prisin’，thefoodwotsomepeopleleaves，’thewomanbrokein。

’Thething，’saidthemanjudicially，asthetrickdawneduponme，’istoget’oldo’thepenny。’

Aswestartedtoleave，MissHaythornegatheredupacoupleofcrustsfromtheneighboringtablesandthrustthemsomewhereintoherrags。

’Cawn’twyste’em，youknow，’saidshe，towhichthedockernodded，tuckingawayacoupleofcrustshimself。

AtthreeinthemorningIstrolleduptheEmbankment。Itwasagalanightforthehomeless，forthepolicewereelsewhere；andeachbenchwasjammedwithsleepingoccupants。Therewereasmanywomenasmen，andthegreatmajorityofthem，maleandfemale，wereold。

Occasionallyaboywastobeseen。OnonebenchInoticedafamily，amansittinguprightwithasleepingbabeinhisarms，hiswifeasleep，herheadonhisshoulder，andinherlaptheheadofasleepingyoungster。Theman’seyeswerewideopen。Hewasstaringoutoverthewaterandthinking，whichisnotagoodthingforashelterlessmanwithafamilytodo。Itwouldnotbeapleasantthingtospeculateuponhisthoughts；butthisIknow，andallLondonknows，thatthecasesofout-of-workskillingtheirwivesandbabiesisnotanuncommonhappening。

OnecannotwalkalongtheThamesEmbankment，inthesmallhoursofmorning，fromtheHousesofParliament，pastCleopatra’sNeedle，toWaterlooBridge，withoutbeingremindedofthesufferings，sevenandtwentycenturiesold，recitedbytheauthorof’Job’：

Therearethatremovethelandmarks；theyviolentlytakeawayflocksandfeedthem。

Theydriveawaytheassofthefatherless，theytakethewidow’soxforapledge。

Theyturntheneedyoutoftheway；thepooroftheearthhidethemselvestogether。

Behold，aswildassesinthedeserttheygoforthtotheirwork，seekingdiligentlyformeat；thewildernessyieldeththemfoodfortheirchildren。

Theycuttheirprovenderinthefield，andtheygleanthevintageofthewicked。

Theylieallnightnakedwithoutclothing，andhavenocoveringinthecold。

Theyarewetwiththeshowersofthemountains，andembracetherockforwantofashelter。

Therearethatpluckthefatherlessfromthebreast，andtakeapledgeofthepoor。

Sothattheygoaboutnakedwithoutclothing，andbeinganhungeredtheycarrythesheaves-Jobxxiv。2-10。

Sevenandtwentycenturiesagone！Anditisallastrueandappositeto-dayintheinnermostcentreofthisChristiancivilizationwhereofEdwardVIIisking。

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN。

DanCullen，Docker。

LifescarcecantreadmajesticallyFoulcourtandfever-strickenalley-

THOMASASHE。

ISTOODYESTERDAY，INAROOMinoneofthe’MunicipalDwellings，’

notfarfromLemanStreet。IfIlookedintoadrearyfutureandsawthatIwouldhavetoliveinsucharoomuntilIdied，Ishouldimmediatelygodown，plumpintotheThames，andcutthetenancyshort。

Itwasnotaroom。Courtesytothelanguagewillnomorepermitittobecalledaroomthanitwillpermitahoveltobecalledamansion。Itwasaden，alair。Sevenfeetbyeightwereitsdimensions，andtheceilingwassolowasnottogivethecubicairspacerequiredbyaBritishsoldierinbarracks。Acrazycouch，withraggedcoverlets，occupiednearlyhalftheroom。Aricketytable，achair，andacoupleofboxesleftlittlespaceinwhichtoturnaround。Fivedollarswouldhavepurchasedeverythinginsight。Thefloorwasbare，whilethewallsandceilingwereliterallycoveredwithbloodmarksandsplotches。Eachmarkrepresentedaviolentdeath-

ofabed-bug，withwhichverminthebuildingswarmed，aplaguewithwhichnopersoncouldcopesingle-handed。

Themanwhohadoccupiedthishole，oneDanCullen，docker，wasdyinginhospital。Yethehadimpressedhispersonalityonhismiserablesurroundingssufficientlytogiveaninklingastowhatsortofamanhewas。OnthewallswerecheappicturesofGaribaldi，Engels，DanBurns，andotherlaborleaders，whileonthetablelayoneofWalterBesant’snovels。HeknewhisShakespeare，Iwastold，andhadreadhistory，sociology，andeconomics。Andhewasself-educated。

Onthetable，amidstawonderfuldisarray，layasheetofpaperonwhichwasscrawled：Mr。Cullen，pleasereturnthelargewhitejugandcorkscrewIlentyou，-articlesloaned，duringthefirststagesofhissickness，byawomanneighbor，anddemandedbackinanticipationofhisdeath。AlargewhitejugandacorkscrewarefartoovaluabletoacreatureoftheAbysstopermitanothercreaturetodieinpeace。

Tothelast，DanCullen’ssoulmustbeharrowedbythesordidnessoutofwhichitstrovevainlytorise。

Itisabrieflittlestory，thestoryofDanCullen，butthereismuchtoreadbetweenthelines。Hewasbornlowlyinacityandlandwherethelinesofcastearetightlydrawn。Allhisdayshetoiledhardwithhisbody；andbecausehehadopenedthebooks，andbeencaughtupbythefiresofthespirit，andcould’writealetterlikealawyer，’hehadbeenselectedbyhisfellowstotoilhardforthemwithhisbrain。Hebecamealeaderofthefruit-porters，representedthedockersontheLondonTradesCouncil，andwrotetrenchantarticlesforthelaborjournals。

Hedidnotcringetoothermen，eventhoughtheywerehiseconomicmastersandcontrolledthemeanswherebyhelived，andhespokehismindfreely，andfoughtthegoodfight。Inthe’GreatDockStrike’

hewasguiltyoftakingaleadingpart。AndthatwastheendofDanCullen。Fromthatdayhewasamarkedman，andeveryday，fortenyearsandmore，hewas’paidoff’forwhathehaddone。

Adockerisacasuallaborer。Workebbsandflows，andheworksordoesnotworkaccordingtotheamountofgoodsonhandtobemoved。

DanCullenwasdiscriminatedagainst。Whilehewasnotabsolutelyturnedaway（whichwouldhavecausedtrouble，andwhichwouldcertainlyhavebeenmoremerciful），hewascalledinbytheforemantodonotmorethantwoorthreedays’workperweek。Thisiswhatiscalledbeing’disciplined，’or’drilled。’Itmeansbeingstarved。

Thereisnopoliterword。Tenyearsofitbrokehisheart，andbroken-heartedmencannotlive。

Hetooktohisbedinhisterribleden，whichgrewmoreterriblewithhishelplessness。Hewaswithoutkithorkin，alonelyoldman，embitteredandpessimistic，fightingverminthewhileandlookingatGaribaldi，Engels，andDanBurnsgazingdownathimfromtheblood-bespatteredwalls。Noonecametoseehiminthatcrowdedmunicipalbarracks（hehadmadefriendswithnoneofthem），andhewaslefttorot。

Butfromthefar-reachesoftheEastEndcameacobblerandhisson，hissolefriends。Theycleansedhisroom，broughtfreshlinenfromhome，andtookfromoffhislimbsthesheets，grayish-blackwithdirt。

AndtheybroughttohimoneoftheQueen’sBountynursesfromAldgate。

Shewashedhisface，shookuphiscouch，andtalkedwithhim。Itwasinterestingtotalkwithhim-untilhelearnedhername。Oh，yes，Blankwashername，sherepliedinnocently，andSirGeorgeBlankwasherbrother。SirGeorgeBlank，eh？thunderedoldDanCullenonhisdeath-bed；SirGeorgeBlank，solicitortothedocksatCardiff，who，morethananyotherman，hadbrokenuptheDocker’sUnionofCardiff，andwasknighted？Andshewashissister？ThereuponDanCullensatuponhiscrazycouchandpronouncedanathemauponherandallherbreed；andshefled，toreturnnomore，stronglyimpressedwiththeungratefulnessofthepoor。

DanCullen’sfeetbecameswollenwithdropsy。Hesatupalldayonthesideofthebed（tokeepthewateroutofhisbody），nomatonthefloor，athinblanketonhislegs，andanoldcoataroundhisshoulders。Amissionarybroughthimapairofpaperslippers，worthfourpence（Isawthem），andproceededtoofferupfiftyprayersorsoforthegoodofDanCullen’ssoul。ButDanCullenwasthesortofamanthatwantedhissoulleftalone。HedidnotcaretohaveTom，Dick，orHarry，onthestrengthoffourpennyslippers，tamperingwithit。Heaskedthemissionarykindlytoopenthewindow，sothathemighttosstheslippersout。Andthemissionarywentaway，toreturnnomore，likewiseimpressedwiththeungratefulnessofthepoor。

Thecobbler，abraveoldherohimself，thoughunannaledandunsung，wentprivilytotheheadofficeofthebigfruitbrokersforwhomDanCullenhadworkedasacasuallaborerforthirtyyears。Theirsystemwassuchthattheworkwasalmostentirelydonebycasualhands。Thecobblertoldthemtheman’sdesperateplight，old，broken，dying，withouthelpormoney，remindedthemthathehadworkedforthemthirtyyears，andaskedthemtodosomethingforhim。

’Oh，’saidthemanager，rememberingDanCullenwithouthavingtorefertothebooks，’yousee，wemakeitarulenevertohelpcasuals，andwecandonothing。’

Nordidtheydoanything，notevensignaletteraskingforDanCullen’sadmissiontoahospital。AnditisnotsoeasytogetintoahospitalinLondonTown。AtHampstead，ifhepassedthedoctors，atleastfourmonthswouldelapsebeforehecouldgetin，thereweresomanyonthebooksaheadofhim。ThecobblerfinallygothimintotheWhitechapelInfirmary，wherehevisitedhimfrequently。HerehefoundthatDanCullenhadsuccumbedtotheprevalentfeeling，that，beinghopeless，theywerehurryinghimoutoftheway。Afairandlogicalconclusion，onemustagree，foranoldandbrokenmantoarriveat，whohasbeenresolutely’disciplined’and’drilled’fortenyears。WhentheysweatedhimforBright’sdiseasetoremovethefatfromthekidneys，DanCullencontendedthatthesweatingwashasteninghisdeath；whileBright’sdisease，beingawastingawayofthekidneys，therewasthereforenofattoremoveandthedoctor’sexcusewasapalpablelie。Whereuponthedoctorbecamewroth，anddidnotcomenearhimforninedays。

Thenhisbedwastiltedupsothathisfeetandlegswereelevated。Atoncedropsyappearedinthebody，andDanCullencontendedthatthethingwasdoneinordertorunthewaterdownintohisbodyfromhislegsandkillhimmorequickly。Hedemandedhisdischarge，thoughtheytoldhimhewoulddieonthestairs，anddraggedhimselfmoredeadthanalivetothecobbler’sshop。Atthemomentofwritingthis，heisdyingattheTemperanceHospital，intowhichplacehisstanchfriend，thecobbler，movedheavenandearthtohavehimadmitted。

PoorDanCullen！AJudetheObscure，whoreachedoutafterknowledge；whotoiledwithhisbodyinthedayandstudiedinthewatchesofthenight；whodreamedhisdreamandstruckvaliantlyfortheCause；apatriot，aloverofhumanfreedom，andafighterunafraid；andintheend，notgiganticenoughtobeatdowntheconditionswhichbaffledandstifledhim，acynicandapessimist，gaspinghisfinalagonyonapauper’scouchinacharityward。’Foramantohavediedwhomighthavebeenwiseandwasnot，thisIcallatragedy。’

CHAPTERFOURTEEN。

HopsandHoppers。

Illfarestheland，tohasteningillsaprey，Wherewealthaccumulatesandmendecay：

Princesandlordsmayflourish，ormayfade，Abreathcanmakethem，asabreathismade；

Butaboldpeasantry，theircountry’spride，Whenoncedestroyed，canneverbesupplied-

GOLDSMITH。

SOFARHASTHEDIVORCEMENToftheworkerfromthesoilproceeded，thatthefarmingdistricts，thecivilizedworldover，aredependentuponthecitiesforthegatheringoftheharvests。Thenitis，whenthelandisspillingitsripewealthtowaste，thatthestreetfolk，whohavebeendrivenawayfromthesoil，arecalledbacktoitagain。ButinEnglandtheyreturn，notasprodigals，butasoutcastsstill，asvagrantsandpariahs，tobedoubtedandfloutedbytheircountrybrethren，tosleepinjailsandcasualwards，orunderthehedges，andtolivetheLordknowshow。

ItisestimatedthatKentalonerequireseightythousandofthestreetpeopletopickherhops。Andouttheycome，obedienttothecall，whichisthecalloftheirbelliesandofthelingeringdregsofadventure-luststillinthem。Slum，stews，andghettopourthemforth，andthefesteringcontentsofslum，stews，andghettoareundiminished。Yettheyoverrunthecountrylikeanarmyofghouls，andthecountrydoesnotwantthem。Theyareoutofplace。Astheydragtheirsquat，misshapenbodiesalongthehighwaysandbyways，theyresemblesomevilespawnfromunderground。Theirverypresence，thefactoftheirexistence，isanoutragetothefreshbrightsunandthegreenandgrowingthings。Theclean，upstandingtreescryshameuponthemandtheirwitheredcrookedness，andtheirrottennessisaslimydesecrationofthesweetnessandpurityofnature。

Isthepictureoverdrawn？Italldepends。Foronewhoseesandthinkslifeintermsofsharesandcoupons，itiscertainlyoverdrawn。

Butforonewhoseesandthinkslifeintermsofmanhoodandwomanhood，itcannotbeoverdrawn。SuchhordesofbeastlywretchednessandinarticulatemiseryarenocompensationforamillionairebrewerwholivesinaWestEndpalace，sateshimselfwiththesensuousdelightsofLondon’sgoldentheatres，hobnobswithlordlingsandprincelings，andisknightedbytheking。Winshisspurs-Godforbid！Inoldtimethegreatblondebeastsrodeinthebattle’svanandwontheirspursbycleavingmenfrompatetochine。And，afterall，itisfarfinertokillastrongmanwithaclean-slicingblowofsingingsteelthantomakeabeastofhim，andofhisseedthroughthegenerations，bytheartfulandspiderymanipulationofindustryandpolitics。

Buttoreturntothehops。HerethedivorcementfromthesoilisasapparentasineveryotheragriculturallineinEngland。Whilethemanufactureofbeersteadilyincreases，thegrowthofhopssteadilydecreases。In1835theacreageunderhopswas71，327。

To-dayitstandsat48，024，adecreaseof3103fromtheacreageoflastyear。

Smallastheacreageisthisyear，apoorsummerandterriblestormsreducedtheyield。Thismisfortuneisdividedbetweenthepeoplewhoownhopsandthepeoplewhopickhops。Theownersperforcemustputupwithlessofthenicerthingsoflife，thepickerswithlessgrub，ofwhich，inthebestoftimes，theynevergetenough。ForwearyweeksheadlineslikethefollowinghaveappearedintheLondonpapers：

TRAMPSPLENTIFUL，BUTTHEHOPSAREFEW

ANDNOTYETREADY。

Thentherehavebeennumberlessparagraphslikethis：

Fromtheneighborhoodofthehopfieldscomesnewsofadistressingnature。ThebrightoutburstofthelasttwodayshassentmanyhundredsofhoppersintoKent，whowillhavetowaittillthefieldsarereadyforthem。AtDoverthenumberofvagrantsintheworkhouseistreblethenumbertherelastyearatthistime，andinothertownsthelatenessoftheseasonisresponsibleforalargeincreaseinthenumberofcasuals。

Tocaptheirwretchedness，whenatlastthepickinghadbegun，hopsandhopperswerewell-nighsweptawaybyafrightfulstormofwind，rain，andhail。Thehopswerestrippedcleanfromthepolesandpoundedintotheearth，whilethehoppers，seekingshelterfromthestinginghail，wereclosetodrowningintheirhutsandcampsonthelow-lyingground。Theirconditionafterthestormwaspitiable，theirstateofvagrancymorepronouncedthanever；for，poorcropthatitwas，itsdestructionhadtakenawaythechanceofearningafewpennies，andnothingremainedforthousandsofthembutto’padthehoof’backtoLondon。

’Weayn’tcrossin’-sweepers，’theysaid，turningawayfromtheground，carpetedankle-deepwithhops。

Thosethatremainedgrumbledsavagelyamongthehalf-strippedpolesatthesevenbushelsforashilling-aratepaidingoodseasonswhenthehopsareinprimecondition，andaratelikewisepaidinbadseasonsbythegrowersbecausetheycannotaffordmore。

IpassedthroughTestonandEastandWestFarleighshortlyafterthestorm，andlistenedtothegrumblingofthehoppersandsawthehopsrottingontheground。AtthehothousesofBarhamCourt，thirtythousandpanesofglasshadbeenbrokenbythehail，whilepeaches，plums，pears，apples，rhubarb，cabbages，mangolds，-everything，hadbeenpoundedtopiecesandtorntoshreds。

Allofwhichwastoobadfortheowners，certainly；butattheworst，notoneofthem，foronemeal，wouldhavetogoshortoffoodordrink。Yetitwastothemthatthenewspapersdevotedcolumnsofsympathy，theirpecuniarylossesbeingdetailedatharrowinglength。

’Mr。HerbertLeneycalculateshislossatL8000；’’Mr。Fremlin，ofbreweryfame，whorentsallthelandinthisparish，losesL10，000；’

and’Mr。Leney，theWateringburybrewer，brothertoMr。HerbertLeney，isanotherheavyloser。’Asforthehoppers，theydidnotcount。YetI

venturetoassertthattheseveralalmostsquaremealslostbyunderfedWilliamBuggles，andunderfedMrs。Buggles，andtheunderfedBuggleskiddies，wasagreatertragedythantheL10，000

lostbyMr。Fremlin。Andinaddition，underfedWilliamBuggles’

tragedymightbemultipliedbythousandswhereMr。Fremlin’scouldnotbemultipliedbyfive。

ToseehowWilliamBugglesandhiskindfared，Idonnedmyseafaringtogsandstartedouttogetajob。WithmewasayoungEastLondoncobbler，Bert，whohadyieldedtothelureofadventureandjoinedmeforthetrip。Actingonmyadvice，hehadbroughthis’worstrags，’

andaswehikeduptheLondonRoadoutofMaidstonehewasworryinggreatlyforfearwehadcometooill-dressedforthebusiness。

Norwashetobeblamed。Whenwestoppedinatavernthepublicaneyedusgingerly，nordidhisdemeanorbrightentillweflashedthecolorofourcash。Thenativesalongtheroadwerealldubious；and’bean-feasters’fromLondon，dashingpastincoaches，cheeredandjeeredandshoutedinsultingthingsafterus。ButbeforeweweredonewiththeMaidstonedistrictmyfriendfoundthatwewereaswellclad，ifnotbetter，thantheaveragehopper。Someofthebunchesofragswechanceduponweremarvellous。

’Thetideisout，’calledagypsy-lookingwomantohermates，aswecameupalongrowofbinsintowhichthepickerswerestrippingthehops。

’Doyoutwig？’Bertwhispered。’She’sontoyou。’

Itwigged。Anditmustbeconfessedthefigurewasanaptone。

Whenthetideisoutboatsareleftonthebeachanddonotsail，andasailor，whenthetideisout，doesnotsaileither。MyseafaringtogsandmypresenceinthehopfieldproclaimedthatIwasaseamanwithoutaship，amanonthebeach，andverylikeacraftatlowwater。

’Canyergiveusajob，governor？’Bertaskedthebailiff，akindlyfacedandelderlymanwhowasverybusy。

His’No，’wasdecisivelyuttered；butBertclungonandfollowedhimabout，andIfollowedafter，prettywellalloverthefield。Whetherourpersistencystruckthebailiffasanxietytowork，orwhetherhewasaffectedbyourhard-luckappearanceandtale，neitherBertnorIsucceededinmakingout；butintheendhesoftenedhisheartandfoundustheoneunoccupiedbinintheplace-abindesertedbytwoothermen，fromwhatIcouldlearn，becauseofinabilitytomakelivingwages。

’Nobadconduct，mindye，’warnedthebailiff，asheleftusatworkinthemidstofthewomen。

ItwasSaturdayafternoon，andweknewquittingtimewouldcomeearly；soweappliedourselvesearnestlytothetask，desiringtolearnifwecouldatleastmakeoursalt。Itwassimplework，woman’swork，infact，andnotman’s。Wesatontheedgeofthebin，betweenthestandinghops，whileapole-pullersupplieduswithgreatfragrantbranches。Inanhour’stimewebecameasexpertasitispossibletobecome。Assoonasthefingersbecameaccustomedautomaticallytodifferentiatebetweenhopsandleavesandtostriphalfadozenblossomsatatimetherewasnomoretolearn。

Weworkednimbly，andasfastasthewomenthemselves，thoughtheirbinsfilledmorerapidlybecauseoftheirswarmingchildreneachofwhichpickedwithtwohandsalmostasfastaswepicked。

’Don’tcherpicktooclean，it’sagainsttherules，’oneofthewomeninformedus；andwetookthetipandweregrateful。

Astheafternoonworealong，werealizedthatlivingwagescouldnotbemade-bymen。Womencouldpickasmuchasmen，andchildrencoulddoalmostaswellaswomen；soitwasimpossibleforamantocompetewithawomanandhalfadozenchildren。Foritisthewomanandthehalf-dozenchildrenwhocountasaunitandbytheircombinedcapacitydeterminetheunit’spay。

’Isay，matey，I’mbeastlyhungry，’saidItoBert。Wehadnothadanydinner。

’Blimey，butIcouldeatthe’ops，’hereplied。

Whereuponwebothlamentedournegligenceinnotrearingupanumerousprogenytohelpusinthisdayofneed。Andinsuchfashionwewhiledawaythetimeandtalkedfortheedificationofourneighbors。Wequitewonthesympathyofthepole-puller，ayoungcountryyokel，whonowandagainemptiedafewpickedblossomsintoourbin，itbeingpartofhisbusinesstogatherupthestrayclusterstornoffintheprocessofpulling。

Withhimwediscussedhowmuchwecould’sub，’andwereinformedthatwhilewewerebeingpaidashillingforsevenbushels，wecouldonly’sub，’orhaveadvancedtous，ashillingforeverytwelvebushels。Whichistosaythatthepayforfiveoutofeverytwelvebushelswaswithheld-amethodofthegrowertoholdthehoppertohisworkwhetherthecroprunsgoodorbad，andespeciallyifitrunsbad。

Afterall，itwaspleasantsittingthereinthebrightsunshine，thegoldenpollenshoweringfromourhands，thepungent，aromaticodorofthehopsbitingournostrils，andthewhilerememberingdimlythesoundingcitieswhencethesepeoplecame。Poorstreetpeople！Poorgutterfolk！Eventheygrowearth-hungry，andyearnvaguelyforthesoilfromwhichtheyhavebeendriven，andforthefreelifeintheopen，andthewindandrainandsunallundefiledbycitysmirches。Astheseacallstothesailor，socallsthelandtothem；and，deepdownintheirabortedanddecayingcarcasses，theyarestirredstrangelybythepeasantmemoriesoftheirforebearswholivedbeforecitieswere。Andinincomprehensiblewaystheyaremadegladbytheearthsmellsandsightsandsoundswhichtheirbloodhasnotforgottenthoughunrememberedbythem。

’Nomore’ops，matey，’Bertcomplained。

Itwasfiveo’clock，andthepole-pullershadknockedoff，sothateverythingcouldbecleanedup，therebeingnoworkonSunday。Foranhourwewereforcedidlytowaitthecomingofthemeasurers，ourfeettinglingwiththefrostwhichcameontheheelsofthesettingsun。Intheadjoiningbin，twowomenandhalfadozenchildrenhadpickedninebushels；sothatthefivebushelsthemeasurersfoundinourbindemonstratedthatwehaddoneequallywell，forthehalf-dozenchildrenhadrangedfromninetofourteenyearsofage。

Fivebushels！Weworkeditouttoeightpenceha’penny，orseventeencents，fortwomenworkingthreehoursandahalf。Eightandone-halfcentsapiece，arateoftwoandthree-seventhscentsperhour！Butwewereallowedonlyto’sub’fivepenceofthetotalsum，thoughthetally-keeper，shortofchange，gaveussixpence。Entreatywasinvain。Ahardluckstorycouldnotmovehim。Heproclaimedloudlythatwehadreceivedapennymorethanourdue，andwenthisway。

Granting，forthesakeoftheargument，thatwewerewhatwerepresentedourselvestobe，namely，poormenandbroke，thenherewasourposition：nightwascomingon；wehadhadnosupper，muchlessdinner；andwepossessedsixpencebetweenus。Iwashungryenoughtoeatthreesixpenn’orthsoffood，andsowasBert。Onethingwaspatent。Bydoing162/3percentjusticetoourstomachs，wewouldexpendthesixpence，andourstomachswouldstillbegnawingunder831/3percentinjustice。Beingbrokeagain，wecouldsleepunderahedge，whichwasnotsobad，thoughthecoldwouldsapanundueportionofwhatwehadeaten。ButthemorrowwasSunday，onwhichwecoulddonowork，thoughoursillystomachswouldnotknockoffonthataccount。Here，then，wastheproblem：howtogetthreemealsonSunday，andtwoonMonday（forwecouldnotmakeanother’sub’tillMondayevening）。Weknewthatthecasualwardswereovercrowded；also，thatifwebeggedfromfarmerorvillager，therewasalargelikelihoodofourgoingtojailforfourteendays。Whatwastobedone？Welookedateachotherindespair-

Notabitofit。WejoyfullythankedGodthatwewerenotasothermen，especiallyhoppers，andwentdowntheroadtoMaidstone，jinglinginourpocketsthehalf-crownsandflorinswehadbroughtfromLondon。

CHAPTERFIFTEEN。

TheSeaWife。

Thesestupidpeasants，who，throughouttheworld，holdpotentatesontheirthrones，makestatesmenillustrious，providegeneralswithlastingvictories，allwithignorance，indifference，orhalf-wittedhatred，movingtheworldwiththestrengthoftheirarms，andgettingtheirheadsknockedtogetherinthenameofGod，theking，orthestockexchange-

immortal，dreaming，hopelessasses，whosurrendertheirreasontothecareofashiningpuppet，andpersuadesometoytocarrytheirlivesinhispurse-

STEPHENCRANE。

YOUMIGHTNOTEXPECTTOFINDtheSeaWifeintheheartofKent，butthatiswhereIfoundher，onameanstreet，inthepoorquarterofMaidstone。Inherwindowshehadnosignoflodgingstolet，andpersuasionwasnecessarybeforeshecouldbringherselftoletmesleepinherfrontroom。IntheeveningIdescendedtothesemi-subterraneankitchen，andtalkedwithherandheroldman，ThomasMugridgebyname。

AndasItalkedtothem，allthesubtletiesandcomplexitiesofthistremendousmachinecivilizationvanishedaway。ItseemedthatIwentdownthroughtheskinandthefleshtothenakedsoulofit，andinThomasMugridgeandhisoldwomangrippedholdoftheessenceofthisremarkableEnglishbreed。Ifoundtherethespiritofthewander-lustwhichhasluredAlbion’ssonsacrossthezones；andI

foundtherethecolossalunreckoningwhichhastrickedtheEnglishintofoolishsquabblingsandpreposterousfights，andthedoggednessandstubbornnesswhichhavebroughtthemblindlythroughtoempireandgreatness；andlikewiseIfoundthatvast，incomprehensiblepatiencewhichhasenabledthehomepopulationtoendureundertheburdenofitall，totoilwithoutcomplaintthroughthewearyyears，anddocilelytoyieldthebestofitssonstofightandcolonizetotheendsoftheearth。

ThomasMugridgewasseventy-oneyearsoldandalittleman。Itwasbecausehewaslittlethathehadnotgoneforasoldier。Hehadremainedathomeandworked。Hisfirstrecollectionswereconnectedwithwork。Heknewnothingelsebutwork。Hehadworkedallhisdays，andatseventy-onehestillworked。Eachmorningsawhimupwiththelarkandafield，adaylaborer，forassuchhehadbeenborn。Mrs。

Mugridgewasseventy-three。Fromsevenyearsofageshehadworkedinthefields，doingaboy’sworkatfirst，andlater，aman’s。Shestillworked，keepingthehouseshining，washing，boiling，andbaking，and，withmyadvent，cookingformeandshamingmebymakingmybed。

Attheendofthreescoreyearsandmoreofworktheypossessednothing，hadnothingtolookforwardtosavemorework。Andtheywerecontented。Theyexpectednothingelse，desirednothingelse。

Theylivedsimply。Theirwantswerefew，-apintofbeerattheendoftheday，sippedinthesemi-subterraneankitchen，aweeklypapertoporeoverforsevennightshand-running，andconversationasmeditativeandvacantasthechewingofaheifer’scud。Fromawoodengravingonthewallaslender，angelicgirllookeddownuponthem，andunderneathwasthelegend：’OurFutureQueen。’Andfromahighlycoloredlithographalongsidelookeddownastoutandelderlylady，withunderneath：’OurQueen-Diamondjubilee。’

’Whatyouearnissweetest，’quothMrs。Mugridge，whenIsuggestedthatitwasabouttimetheytookarest。

’No，an’wedon’twanthelp，’saidThomasMugridge，inreplytomyquestionastowhetherthechildrenlentthemahand。

’We’llworktillwedryupandblowaway，motheran’me，’headded；andMrs。Mugridgenoddedherheadinvigorousindorsement。

Fifteenchildrenshehadborne，andallwereawayandgone，ordead。

The’baby，’however，livedinMaidstone，andshewastwenty-seven。

Whenthechildrenmarriedtheyhadtheirhandsfullwiththeirownfamiliesandtroubles，liketheirfathersandmothersbeforethem。

Wherewerethechildren？Ah，whereweretheynot？LizziewasinAustralia；MarywasinBuenosAyres；PollwasinNewYork；JoehaddiedinIndia，-andsotheycalledthemup，thelivingandthedead，soldierandsailor，andcolonist’swife，forthetraveller’ssakewhosatintheirkitchen。

Theypassedmeaphotograph。Atrimyoungfellowinsoldier’sgarblookedoutatme。

’Andwhichsonisthis？’Iasked。

Theylaughedaheartychorus。Son！Nay，grandson，justbackfromIndianserviceandasoldier-trumpetertotheKing。Hisbrotherwasinthesameregimentwithhim。Andsoitran，sonsanddaughters，andgrandsonsanddaughters，world-wanderersandempire-builders，allofthem，whiletheoldfolksstayedathomeandworkedatbuildingempiretoo。

TheredwellsawifebytheNorthernGate，Andawealthywifeisshe；

Shebreedsabreedo’rovin’menAndcaststhemoversea。

Andsomearedrownedindeepwater，Andsomeinsightofshore；

Andwordgoesbacktothewearywife，Andevershesendsmore。

ButtheSeaWife’schildbearingisaboutdone。Thestockisrunningout，andtheplanetisfillingup。Thewivesofhersonsmaycarryonthebreed，butherworkispast。TheerstwhilemenofEnglandarenowthemenofAustralia，ofAfrica，ofAmerica。Englandhassentforth’thebestshebreeds’forsolong，andhasdestroyedthosethatremainedsofiercely，thatlittleremainsforhertodobuttositdownthroughthelongnightsandgazeatroyaltyonthewall。

ThetrueBritishmerchantseamanhaspassedaway。ThemerchantserviceisnolongerarecruitinggroundforsuchseadogsasfoughtwithNelsonatTrafalgarandtheNile。Foreignerslargelymanthemerchantships，thoughEnglishmenstillcontinuetoofficerthemandtopreferforeignersfor’ard。InSouthAfricathecolonialteachestheIslanderhowtoshoot，andtheofficersmuddleandblunder；whileathomethestreetpeopleplayhystericallyatmafficking，andtheWarOfficelowersthestatureforenlistment。

Itcouldnotbeotherwise。ThemostcomplacentBritishercannothopetodrawoffthelifeblood，andunderfeed，andkeepitupforever。TheaverageMrs。ThomasMugridgehasbeendrivenintothecity，andsheisnotbreedingverymuchofanythingsaveananaemicandsicklyprogenywhichcannotfindenoughtoeat。ThestrengthoftheEnglish-speakingraceto-dayisnotinthetightlittleisland，butintheNewWorldoverseas，wherearethesonsanddaughtersofMrs。

ThomasMugridge。TheSeaWifebytheNorthernGatehasjustaboutdoneherworkintheworld，thoughshedoesnotrealizeit。Shemustsitdownandresthertiredloinsforaspace；andifthecasualwardandtheworkhousedonotawaither，itisbecauseofthesonsanddaughtersshehasrearedupagainstthedayofherfeeblenessanddecay。

CHAPTERSIXTEEN。

PropertyversusPerson。

Therightsofpropertyhavebeensomuchextendedthattherightsofthecommunityhavealmostaltogetherdisappeared，anditishardlytoomuchtosaythattheprosperityandthecomfortandthelibertiesofagreatproportionofthepopulationhasbeenlaidatthefeetofasmallnumberofproprietors，whoneithertoilnorspin-

JOSEPHCHAMBERLAIN。

INACIVILIZATIONFRANKLYmaterialisticandbaseduponproperty，notsoul，itisinevitablethatpropertyshallbeexaltedoversoul，thatcrimesagainstpropertyshallbeconsideredfarmoreseriousthancrimesagainsttheperson。Topoundone’swifetoajellyandbreakafewofherribsisatrivialoffencecomparedwithsleepingoutunderthenakedstarsbecauseonehasnotthepriceofadoss。Theladwhostealsafewpearsfromawealthyrailwaycorporationisagreatermenacetosocietythantheyoungbrutewhocommitsanunprovokedassaultuponanoldmanoverseventyyearsofage。Whiletheyounggirlwhotakesalodgingunderthepretencethatshehasworkcommitssodangerousanoffence，that，wereshenotseverelypunished，sheandherkindmightbringthewholefabricofpropertyclatteringtotheground。HadsheunholilytrampedPiccadillyandtheStrandaftermidnight，thepolicewouldnothaveinterferedwithher，andshewouldhavebeenabletopayforherlodging。

Thefollowingillustrativecasesareculledfromthepolicecourtreportsforasingleweek：

WidnesPoliceCourt。BeforeAldermenGossageandNeil。ThomasLynch，chargedwithbeingdrunkanddisorderlyandwithassaultingaconstable。Defendantrescuedawomanfromcustody，kickedtheconstable，andthrewstonesathim。Fined3s。6d。forthefirstoffence，and10s。andcostsfortheassault。

GlasgowQueen’sParkPoliceCourt。BeforeBailieNormanThompson。

JohnKanepleadedguiltytoassaultinghiswife。Therewerefivepreviousconvictions。FinedL22s。

TauntonCountyPettySessions。JohnPainter，abig，burlyfellow，describedasalaborer，chargedwithassaultinghiswife。Thewomanreceivedtwosevereblackeyes，andherfacewasbadlyswollen。

FinedL18s。includingcosts，andboundovertokeepthepeace。

WidnesPoliceCourt。RichardBestwickandGeorgeHunt，chargedwithtrespassinginsearchofgame。HuntfinedL1andcosts，BestwickL2andcosts；indefaultonemonth。

ShaftesburyPoliceCourt。BeforetheMayor（Mr。A。T。Carpenter）。

ThomasBaker，chargedwithsleepingout。Fourteendays。

GlasgowCentralPoliceCourt。BeforeBailieDunlop。EdwardMorrison，alad，convictedofstealingfifteenpearsfromalorryattherailroadstation。Sevendays。

DoncasterBoroughPoliceCourt。BeforeAldermanClarkandothermagistrates。JamesM’Gowan，chargedunderthePoachingPreventionActwithbeingfoundinpossessionofpoachingimplementsandanumberofrabbits。FinedL2andcosts，oronemonth。

DunfermlineSheriffCourt。BeforeSheriffGillespie。JohnYoung，apit-headworker，pleadedguiltytoassaultingAlexanderStorrarbybeatinghimabouttheheadandbodywithhisfists，throwinghimontheground，andalsostrikinghimwithapitprop。FinedL1。

KirkcaldyPoliceCourt。BeforeBailieDishart。SimonWalkerpleadedguiltytoassaultingamanbystrikingandknockinghimdown。Itwasanunprovokedassault，andthemagistratedescribedtheaccusedasaperfectdangertothecommunity。Fined30s。

MansfieldPoliceCourt。BeforetheMayor，Messrs。F。J。Turner，J

Whitaker，F。Tidsbury，E。Holmes，andDr。R。Nesbitt。JosephJackson，chargedwithassaultingCharlesNunn。Withoutanyprovocation，defendantstruckthecomplainantaviolentblowintheface，knockinghimdown，andthenkickedhimonthesideofthehead。Hewasrenderedunconscious，andheremainedundermedicaltreatmentforafortnight。Fined。21s。

PerthSheriffCourt。BeforeSheriffSym。DavidMitchell，chargedwithpoaching。Thereweretwopreviousconvictions，thelastbeingthreeyearsago。ThesheriffwasaskedtodeallenientlywithMitchell，whowassixty-twoyearsofage，andwhoofferednoresistancetothegamekeeper。Fourmonths。

DundeeSheriffCourt。BeforeHon。SheriffsubstituteR。C。Walker。

JohnMurray，DonaldCraig，andJamesParkes，chargedwithpoaching。

CraigandParkesfinedL1eachorfourteendays；MurrayL5oronemonth。

ReadingBoroughPoliceCourt。BeforeMessrs。W。B。Monck，F。B。

Parfitt，H。M。Wallis，andG。Gillagan。AlfredMasters，agedsixteen，chargedwithsleepingoutonawastepieceofgroundandhavingnovisiblemeansofsubsistence。Sevendays。

SalisburyCityPettySessions。BeforetheMayor，Messrs。C。Hoskins，G。Fullford，E。Alexander，andW。Marlow。JamesMoore，chargedwithstealingapairofbootsfromoutsideashop。Twenty-onedays。

HorncastlePoliceCourt。BeforetheRev。W。P。Massingberd，theRev。

J。Graham，andMr。N。LucasCalcraft。GeorgeBrackenbury，ayounglaborer，convictedofwhatthemagistratescharacterizedasanaltogetherunprovokedandbrutalassaultuponJamesSargeantFoster，amanoverseventyyearsofage。FinedL1and5s。6d。costs。

WorksopPettySessions。BeforeMessrs。F。J。S。Foljambe，R。

Eddison，andS。Smith。JohnPriestley，chargedwithassaultingtheRev。LeslieGraham。Defendant，whowasdrunk，waswheelingaperambulatorandpusheditinfrontofalorry，withtheresultthattheperambulatorwasoverturnedandthebabyinitthrownout。Thelorrypassedovertheperambulator，butthebabywasuninjured。

Defendantthenattackedthedriverofthelorry，andafterwardsassaultedthecomplainant，whoremonstratedwithhimuponhisconduct。

Inconsequenceoftheinjuriesdefendantinflicted，complainanthadtoconsultadoctor。Fined40s。andcosts。

RotherhamWestRidingPoliceCourt。BeforeMessrs。C。WrightandG。PughandColonelStoddart。BenjaminStorey，ThomasBrammer，andSamuelWilcock，chargedwithpoaching。Onemontheach。

SouthamptonCountyPoliceCourt。BeforeAdmiralJ。C。Rowley，Mr。H。

H。Culme-Seymour，andothermagistrates。HenryThorrington，chargedwithsleepingout。Sevendays。

EckingtonPoliceCourt。BeforeMajorL。B。Bowden，Messrs。R。

Eyre，andH。A。Fowler，andDr。Court。JosephWatts，chargedwithstealingninefernsfromagarden。Onemonth。

RipleyPettySessions。BeforeMessrs。J。B。Wheeler，W。D。

Bembridge，andM。Hooper。VincentAllenandGeorgeHall，chargedunderthePoachingPreventionActwithbeingfoundinpossessionofanumberofrabbits，andJohnSparham，chargedwithaidingandabettingthem。

HallandSparhamfinedL117s。4d。，andAllenL217s。4d。，includingcosts；theformercommittedforfourteendaysandthelatterforonemonthindefaultofpayment。

South-westernPoliceCourt，London。BeforeMr。Rose。JohnProbyn，chargedwithdoinggrievousbodilyharmtoaconstable。Prisonerhadbeenkickinghiswife，andalsoassaultinganotherwomanwhoprotestedagainsthisbrutality。Theconstabletriedtopersuadehimtogoinsidehishouse，butprisonersuddenlyturneduponhim，knockinghimdownbyablowontheface，kickinghimashelayontheground，andattemptingtostranglehim。Finallytheprisonerdeliberatelykickedtheofficerinadangerouspart，inflictinganinjurywhichwillkeephimoffdutyforalongtimetocome。Sixweeks。

LambethPoliceCourt，London。BeforeMr。Hopkins。’Baby’Stuart，agednineteen，describedasachorusgirl，chargedwithobtainingfoodandlodgingtothevalueof5s。，byfalsepretences，andwithintenttodefraudEmmaBrasier。EmmaBrasier，complainant，lodging-housekeeperofAtwellRoad。PrisonertookapartmentsatherhouseontherepresentationthatshewasemployedattheCrownTheatre。Afterprisonerhadbeeninherhousetwoorthreedays，Mrs。Brasiermadeinquiries，and，findingthegirl’sstoryuntrue，gaveherintocustody。Prisonertoldthemagistratethatshewouldhaveworkedhadshenothadsuchbadhealth。Sixweekshardlabor。

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN。

Inefficiency。

I’dratherdieonthehighroadundertheopenblue。I’dratherstarvetodeathinthesweetair，ordrowninthebrave，saltsea，orhaveonefiercegladhourofbattle，andthenabullet，thanleadthelifeofabruteinastinkinghell，andgaspoutmybrokenbreathatlastonapauper’spallet-

ROBERTBLATCHFORD。

ISTOPPEDAMOMENTTOLISTENtoanargumentontheMileEndWaste。

Itwasnight-time，andtheywereallworkmenofthebetterclass。Theyhadsurroundedoneoftheirnumber，apleasant-facedmanofthirty，andweregivingittohimratherheatedly。

’But’owaboutthis’erecheapimmigration？’oneofthemdemanded。

’TheJewsofWhitechapel，say，a-cuttin’ourthroatsrightalong？’

’Youcan’tblamethem，’wastheanswer。’They’rejustlikeus，andthey’vegottolive。Don’tblamethemanwhoofferstoworkcheaperthanyouandgetsyourjob。’

’But’owaboutthewifean’kiddies？’hisinterlocutordemanded。

’Thereyouare，’cametheanswer。’Howaboutthewifeandkiddiesofthemanwhoworkscheaperthanyouandgetsyourjob？Eh？Howabouthiswifeandkiddies？He’smoreinterestedinthemthaninyours，andhecan’tseethemstarve。Sohecutsthepriceoflaborandoutyougo。Butyoumustn’tblamehim，poordevil。Hecan’thelpit。Wagesalwayscomedownwhentwomenareafterthesamejob。That’sthefaultofcompetition，notofthemanwhocutstheprice。’

’Butwygesdon’tcomedownwherethere’saunion，’theobjectionwasmade。

’Andthereyouareagain，rightonthehead。Theunioncheckscompetitionamongthelaborers，butmakesitharderwheretherearenounions。There’swhereyourcheaplaborofWhitechapelcomesin。

They’reunskilled，andhavenounions，andcuteachother’sthroats，andoursinthebargain，ifwedon’tbelongtoastrongunion。’

Withoutgoingfurtherintotheargument，thismanontheMileEndWastepointedthemoralthatwhentwomenwereaftertheonejobwageswereboundtofall。Hadhegonedeeperintothematter，hewouldhavefoundthateventheunion，saytwentythousandstrong，couldnotholdupwagesiftwentythousandidlemenweretryingtodisplacetheunionmen。Thisisadmirablyinstanced，justnow，bythereturnanddisbandmentofthesoldiersfromSouthAfrica。Theyfindthemselves，bytensofthousands，indesperatestraitsinthearmyoftheunemployed。Thereisageneraldeclineinwagesthroughouttheland，which，givingrisetolabordisputesandstrikes，istakenadvantageofbytheunemployed，whogladlypickupthetoolsthrowndownbythestrikers。

Sweating，starvationwages，armiesofunemployed，andgreatnumbersofthehomelessandshelterlessareinevitablewhentherearemorementodoworkthanthereisworkformentodo。ThemenandwomenIhavemetuponthestreets，andinthespikesandpegs，arenottherebecauseasamodeoflifeitmaybeconsidereda’softsnap。’Ihavesufficientlyoutlinedthehardshipstheyundergotodemonstratethattheirexistenceisanythingbut’soft。’

Itisamatterofsobercalculation，hereinEngland，thatitissoftertoworkfortwentyshillings（$5）aweek，andhaveregularfood，andabedatnight，thanitistowalkthestreets。Themanwhowalksthestreetssuffersmore，andworksharder，forfarlessreturn。Ihavedepictedthenightstheyspend，andhow，driveninbyphysicalexhaustion，theygotothecasualwardfora’restup。’Noristhecasualwardasoftsnap。Topickfourpoundsofoakum，breaktwelvehundred-weightofstones，orperformthemostrevoltingtasks，inreturnforthemiserablefoodandsheltertheyreceive，isanunqualifiedextravaganceonthepartofthemenwhoareguiltyofit。Onthepartoftheauthorities，itissheerrobbery。Theygivethemenfarlessfortheirlaborthandothecapitalisticemployers。Thewageforthesameamountoflabor，performedforaprivateemployer，wouldbuythembetterbeds，betterfood，moregoodcheer，and，aboveall，greaterfreedom。

AsIsay，itisanextravaganceforamantopatronizeacasualward。Andthattheyknowitthemselvesisshownbythewaythesemenshunittilldriveninbyphysicalexhaustion。Thenwhydotheydoit？

Notbecausetheyarediscouragedworkers。Theveryoppositeistrue；

theyarediscouragedvagabonds。IntheUnitedStatesthetrampisalmostinvariablyadiscouragedworker。Hefindstrampingasoftermodeoflifethanworking。ButthisisnottrueinEngland。Herethepowersthatbedotheirutmosttodiscouragethetrampandvagabond，andheis，inalltruth，amightilydiscouragedcreature。Heknowsthattwoshillingsaday，whichisonlyfiftycents，willbuyhimthreefairmeals，abedatnight，andleavehimacoupleofpenniesforpocketmoney。Hewouldratherworkforthosetwoshillings，thanforthecharityofthecasualward；forheknowsthathewouldnothavetoworksohardandthathewouldnotbesoabominablytreated。

Hedoesnotdoso，however，becausetherearemorementodoworkthanthereisworkformentodo。

Whentherearemorementhanthereisworktobedone，asifting-outprocessmustobtain。Ineverybranchofindustrythelessefficientarecrowdedout。Beingcrowdedoutbecauseofinefficiency，theycannotgoup，butmustdescend，andcontinuetodescend，untiltheyreachtheirproperlevel，aplaceintheindustrialfabricwheretheyareefficient。Itfollows，therefore，anditisinexorable，thattheleastefficientmustdescendtotheverybottom，whichistheshambleswhereintheyperishmiserably。

Aglanceattheconfirmedinefficientsatthebottomdemonstratesthattheyare，asarule，mental，physical，andmoralwrecks。Theexceptionstotherulearethelatearrivals，whoaremerelyveryinefficient，anduponwhomthewreckingprocessisjustbeginningtooperate。Alltheforceshere，itmustberemembered，aredestructive。Thegoodbody（whichistherebecauseitsbrainisnotquickandcapable）isspeedilywrenchedandtwistedoutofshape；

thecleanmind（whichistherebecauseofitsweakbody）isspeedilyfouledandcontaminated。Themortalityisexcessive，but，eventhen，theydiefartoolingeringdeaths。

Here，then，wehavetheconstructionoftheAbyssandtheshambles。Throughoutthewholeindustrialfabricaconstanteliminationisgoingon。Theinefficientareweededoutandflungdownward。Variousthingsconstituteinefficiency。Theengineerwhoisirregularorirresponsiblewillsinkdownuntilhefindshisplace，sayasacasuallaborer，anoccupationirregularinitsverynatureandinwhichthereislittleornoresponsibility。Thosewhoareslowandclumsy，whosufferfromweaknessofbodyormind，orwholacknervous，mental，andphysicalstamina，mustsinkdown，sometimesrapidly，sometimesstepbystep，tothebottom。Accident，bydisablinganefficientworker，willmakehiminefficient，anddownhemustgo。

Andtheworkerwhobecomesaged，withfailingenergyandnumbingbrain，mustbeginthefrightfuldescentwhichknowsnostopping-placeshortofthebottomanddeath。

Inthislastinstance，thestatisticsofLondontellaterribletale。ThepopulationofLondonisone-seventhofthetotalpopulationoftheUnitedKingdom，andinLondon，yearinandyearout，oneadultineveryfourdiesonpubliccharity，eitherintheworkhouse，thehospital，ortheasylum。Whenthefactthatthewell-to-dodonotendthusistakenintoconsideration’，itbecomesmanifestthatitisthefateofatleastoneineverythreeadultworkerstodieonpubliccharity。

Asanillustrationofhowagoodworkermaysuddenlybecomeinefficient，andwhatthenhappenstohim，IamtemptedtogivethecaseofM’Garry，amanthirty-twoyearsofage，andaninmateoftheworkhouse。Theextractsarequotedfromtheannualreportofthetradeunion：

IworkedatSullivan’splaceinWidnes，betterknownastheBritishAlkaliChemicalWorks。Iwasworkinginashed，andIhadtocrosstheyard。Itwasteno’clockatnight，andtherewasnolightabout。WhilecrossingtheyardIfeltsomethingtakeholdofmylegandscrewitoff。Ibecameunconscious；Ididn’tknowwhatbecameofmeforadayortwo。OnthefollowingSundaynightIcametomysenses，andfoundmyselfinthehospital。Iaskedthenursewhatwastodowithmylegs，andshetoldmebothlegswereoff。

Therewasastationarycrankintheyard，letintotheground；theholewas18incheslong，15inchesdeep，and15incheswide。Thecrankrevolvedintheholethreerevolutionsaminute。Therewasnofenceorcoveringoverthehole。Sincemyaccidenttheyhavestoppeditaltogether，andhavecoveredtheholeupwithapieceofsheetiron……

TheygavemeL25。Theydidn’treckonthatascompensation；theysaiditwasonlyforcharity’ssake。OutofthatIpaidL9foramachinebywhichtowheelmyselfabout。

IwaslaboringatthetimeIgotmylegsoff。Igottwenty-fourshillingsaweek，ratherbetterpaythantheothermen，becauseIusedtotakeshifts。Whentherewasheavywork，tobedoneIusedtobepickedouttodoit。Mr。Manton，themanager，visitedmeatthehospitalseveraltimes。WhenIwasgettingbetter，Iaskedhimifhewouldbeabletofindmeajob。Hetoldmenottotroublemyself，asthefirmwasnotcold-hearted。Iwouldberightenoughinanycase……Mr。Mantonstoppedcomingtoseeme；andthelasttime，hesaidhethoughtofaskingthedirectorstogivemeafifty-poundnote，soIcouldgohometomyfriendsinIreland。

PoorM’Garry！Hereceivedratherbetterpaythantheothermenbecausehewasambitiousandtookshifts，andwhenheavyworkwastobedonehewasthemanpickedouttodoit。Andthenthethinghappened，andhewentintotheworkhouse。ThealternativetotheworkhouseistogohometoIrelandandburdenhisfriendsfortherestofhislife。Commentissuperfluous。

Itmustbeunderstoodthatefficiencyisnotdeterminedbytheworkersthemselves，butisdeterminedbythedemandforlabor。Ifthreemenseekoneposition，themostefficientmanwillgetit。Theothertwo，nomatterhowcapabletheymaybe，willnonethelessbeinefficients。IfGermany，Japan，andtheUnitedStatesshouldcapturetheentireworldmarketforiron，coal，andtextiles，atoncetheEnglishworkerswouldbethrownidlebyhundredsofthousands。Somewouldemigrate，buttherestwouldrushtheirlaborintotheremainingindustries。Ageneralshakingupoftheworkersfromtoptobottomwouldresult；andwhenequilibriumhadbeenrestored，thenumberoftheinefficientsatthebottomoftheAbysswouldhavebeenincreasedbyhundredsofthousands。Ontheotherhand，conditionsremainingconstantandalltheworkersdoublingtheirefficiency，therewouldstillbeasmanyinefficients，thougheachinefficientweretwiceascapableashehadbeenandmorecapablethanmanyoftheefficientshadpreviouslybeen。

Whentherearemorementoworkthanthereisworkformentodo，justasmanymenasareinexcessofworkwillbeinefficients，andasinefficientstheyaredoomedtolingeringandpainfuldestruction。

Itshallbetheaimoffuturechapterstoshow，bytheirworkandmannerofliving，notonlyhowtheinefficientsareweededoutanddestroyed，buttoshowhowinefficientsarebeingconstantlyandwantonlycreatedbytheforcesofindustrialsocietyasitexiststo-day。

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN。

Wages。

Someselltheirlivesforbread；

Someselltheirsoulsforgold；

Someseektheriverbed；

Someseektheworkhousemold。

SuchisproudEngland’ssway，Wherewealthmayworkitswill；

Whitefleshischeapto-day，Whitesoulsarecheaperstill-

FANTASIAS。

WHENILEARNEDTHATINLesserLondontherewere1，292，737peoplewhoreceived21shillingsorlessaweekperfamily，Ibecameinterestedastohowthewagescouldbestbespentinordertomaintainthephysicalefficiencyofsuchfamilies。Familiesofsix，seven，eight，ortenbeingbeyondconsideration，Ihavebasedthefollowingtableuponafamilyoffive，afather，mother，andthreechildren；whileI

havemade21shillingsequivalentto$5。25，thoughactually，21

shillingsareequivalenttoabout$5。11。

Rent……$1。50

Bread……1。00

Meat……871/2

Vegetables……621/2

Coals……25

Tea……18

Oil……16

Sugar……18

Milk……12

Soap……08

Butter……20

Firewood……08

Total……$5。25

Ananalysisofoneitemalonewillshowhowlittleroomthereisforwaste。Bread，$l：forafamilyoffive，forsevendays，onedollar’sworthofbreadwillgiveeachadailyrationof26/7thcents；andiftheyeatthreemealsaday，eachmayconsumepermeal91/2

mills’worthofbread，alittlelessthanonecent’sworth。Nowbreadistheheaviestitem。Theywillgetlessofmeatpermoutheachmeal，andstilllessofvegetables；whilethesmalleritemsbecometoomicroscopicforconsideration。Ontheotherhand，thesefoodarticlesareallboughtatsmallretail，themostexpensiveandwastefulmethodofpurchasing。

Whilethetablegivenabovewillpermitnoextravagance，nooverloadingofstomachs，itwillbenoticedthatthereisnosurplus。Thewhole$5。25isspentforfoodandrent。Thereisnopocketmoneyleftover。Doesthemanbuyaglassofbeer，thefamilymusteatthatmuchless；andinsofarasiteatsless，justthatfarwillitimpairitsphysicalefficiency。Themembersofthisfamilycannotrideinbusesortrams，cannotwriteletters，takeoutings，gotoa’tu’pennygaff’forcheapvaudeville，joinsocialorbenefitclubs，norcantheybuysweetmeats，tobacco，books，ornewspapers。

Andfurther，shouldonechild（andtherearethree）requireapairofshoes，thefamilymuststrikemeatforaweekfromitsbilloffare。And，sincetherearefivepairsoffeetrequiringshoes，andfiveheadsrequiringhats，andfivebodiesrequiringclothes，andsincetherearelawsregulatingindecency，thefamilymustconstantlyimpairitsphysicalefficiencyinordertokeepwarmandoutofjail。Fornotice，whenrent，coals，oil，soap，andfirewoodareextractedfromtheweeklyincome，thereremainsadailyallowanceforfoodof9centstoeachperson；andthat9centscannotbelessenedbybuyingclotheswithoutimpairingthephysicalefficiency。

Allofwhichishardenough。Butthethinghappens；thehusbandandfatherbreakshislegorhisneck。No9centsadaypermouthforfoodiscomingin；no91/2mills’worthofbreadpermeal；and，attheendoftheweek，no$1。50forrent。Soouttheymustgo，tothestreetsortheworkhouse，ortoamiserableden，somewhere，inwhichthemotherwilldesperatelyendeavortoholdthefamilytogetheronthe10shillingsshemaypossiblybeabletoearn。

WhileinLesserLondonthereare1，292，737peoplewhoreceive21

shillingsorlessaweekperfamily，itmustberememberedthatwehaveinvestigatedafamilyoffivelivingona21-shillingsbasis。

Therearelargerfamilies，therearemanyfamiliesthatliveonlessthan21shillings，andthereismuchirregularemployment。Thequestionnaturallyarises，Howdotheylive？Theansweristhattheydonotlive。Theydonotknowwhatlifeis。Theydragoutasubter-bestialexistenceuntilmercifullyreleasedbydeath。

Beforedescendingtothefoulerdepths，letthecaseofthetelegraphgirlsbecited。Hereareclean，fresh，Englishmaids，forwhomahigherstandardoflivingthanthatofthebeastsisabsolutelynecessary。Otherwisetheycannotremainclean，freshEnglishmaids。Onenteringtheservice，atelephonegirlreceivesaweeklywageof$2。75。Ifshebequickandclever，shemay，attheendoffiveyears，attainamaximumwageof$5。00。Recentlyatableofsuchagirl’sweeklyexpenditurewasfurnishedtoLordLondonderry。Hereitis：

Rent，fire，andlight……$1。871/2

Boardathome……871/2

Boardattheoffice……1。121/2

Streetcarfare……371/2

Laundry……25

Total……$4。50

Thisleavesnothingforclothes，recreation，orsickness。Andyetmanyofthegirlsarereceiving，not$4。50，but$2。75，$3，and$3。50

perweek。Theymusthaveclothesandrecreation，and-

MantoMansooftinjust，IsalwayssotoWoman。

AttheTradesUnionCongressnowbeingheldinLondon，theGasworkers’UnionmovedthatinstructionsbegiventheParliamentaryCommitteetointroduceabilltoprohibittheemploymentofchildrenunderfifteenyearsofage。Mr。Shackleton，MemberofParliamentandarepresentativeoftheNorthernCounties’Weavers，opposedtheresolutiononbehalfofthetextileworkers，who，hesaid，couldnotdispensewiththeearningsoftheirchildrenandliveonthescaleofwageswhichobtained。Therepresentativesof514，000workersvotedagainsttheresolution，whiletherepresentativesof535，000

workersvotedinfavorofit。When514，000workersopposearesolutionprohibitingchild-laborunderfifteen，itisevidentthataless-than-livingwageisbeingpaidtoanimmensenumberoftheadultworkersofthecountry。

IhavespokenwithwomeninWhitechapelwhoreceiverightalonglessthan25centsforatwelve-hourdayinthecoat-makingsweatshops；

andwithwomentrousersfinisherswhoreceiveanaverageprincelyandweeklywageof75centsto$1。

Acaserecentlycroppedupofmen，intheemployofawealthybusinesshouse，receivingtheirboardand$1。50perweekforsixworkingdaysofsixteenhourseach。Thesandwichmenget27centsperdayandfindthemselves。Theaverageweeklyearningsofthehawkersandcostermongersarenotmorethan$2。50to$3。Theaverageallcommonlaborers，outsidethedockers，islessthan$4perweek，whilethedockersaveragefrom$2to$2。25。Thesefiguresaretakenfromaroyalcommissionreportandareauthentic。

Conceiveofanoldwoman，brokenanddying，supportingherselfandfourchildren，andpaying75centsperweekrent，bymakingmatchboxesat41/2centspergross。Twelvedozenboxesfor41/2cents，and，inaddition，findingherownpasteandthread！Sheneverknewadayoff，eitherforsickness，rest，orrecreation。Eachdayandeveryday，Sundaysaswell，shetoiledfourteenhours。Herday’sstintwassevengross，forwhichshereceived311/2cents。Intheweekofninety-eighthours’work，shemade7066matchboxes，andearned$2。20

1/2，lessherpasteandthread。

Lastyear，Mr。ThomasHolmes，apolicecourtmissionaryofnote，afterwritingabouttheconditionofthewomenworkers，receivedthefollowingletter，datedApril18，1901：

SIR，PardonthelibertyIamtaking，but，havingreadwhatyousaidaboutPoorwomenworkingfourteenhoursadayfortenshillingsperweek，Ibegtostatemycase。Iamatie-maker，who，afterworkingalltheweek，cannotearnmorethanfiveshillings，andIhaveapoorafflictedhusbandtokeepwhohasn’tearnedapennyformorethantenyears。

Imagineawoman，capableofwritingsuchaclear，sensible，grammaticalletter，supportingherhusbandandselfon5shillings（$1。25）perweek！Mr。Holmesvisitedher。Hehadtosqueezetogetintotheroom。Therelayhersickhusband；theresheworkedalldaylong；thereshecooked，ate，washed，andslept；andthereherhusbandandsheperformedallthefunctionsoflivinganddying。Therewasnospaceforthemissionarytositdown，saveonthebed，whichwaspartiallycoveredwithtiesandsilk。Thesickman’slungswereinthelaststagesofdecay。Hecoughedandexpectoratedconstantly，thewomanceasingfromherworktoassisthiminhisparoxysms。Thesilkenflufffromthetieswasnotgoodforhissickness；norwashissicknessgoodfortheties，andthehandlersandwearersofthetiesyettocome。

AnothercaseMr。Holmesvisitedwasthatofayounggirl，twelveyearsofage，chargedinthepolicecourtwithstealingfood。Hefoundherthedeputymotherofaboyofnine，acrippledboyofseven，andayoungerchild。Hermotherwasawidowandablouse-maker。Shepaid$1。25aweekrent。Herearethelastitemsinherhousekeepingaccount：Tea，1cent；sugar，1cent；bread，1/2cent；margarine，2

cents；oil，3cents；andfirewood，1cent。Goodhousewivesofthesoftandtenderfolk，imagineyourselvesmarketingandkeepinghouseonsuchascale，settingatableforfive，andkeepinganeyeonyourdeputymotheroftwelvetoseethatshedidnotstealfoodforherlittlebrothersandsisters，thewhileyoustitched，stitched，stitchedatanightmarelineofblouses，whichstretchedawayintothegloomanddowntothepauper’scoffina-yawnforyou。

CHAPTERNINETEEN。

TheGhetto。

IsitwellthatwhilewerangewithScience，gloryinginthetime，Citychildrensoakandblackensoulandsenseincityslime？

ThereamongthegloomyalleysProgresshaltsonpalsiedfeet，Crimeandhungercastourmaidensbythethousandonthestreet；

Therethemasterscrimpshishaggardseamstressofherdailybread；

Thereasinglesordidatticholdsthelivingandthedead；

Therethesmoulderingfireoffevercreepsacrosstherottedfloor，Andthecrowdedcouchofincest，inthewarrensofthepoor-

TENNYSON。

ATONETIMETHENATIONSofEuropeconfinedtheundesirableJewsincityghettos。Butto-daythedominanteconomicclass，bylessarbitrarybutnonethelessrigorousmethods，hasconfinedtheundesirableyetnecessaryworkersintoghettosofremarkablemeannessandvastness。EastLondonissuchaghetto，wheretherichandthepowerfuldonotdwell，andthetravellercomethnot，andwheretwomillionworkersswarm，procreate，anddie。

ItmustnotbesupposedthatalltheworkersofLondonarecrowdedintotheEastEnd，butthetideissettingstronglyinthatdirection。

Thepoorquartersofthecityproperareconstantlybeingdestroyed，andthemainstreamoftheunhousedistowardtheeast。Inthelasttwelveyears，onedistrict，’LondonovertheBorder，’asitiscalled，whichlieswellbeyondAldgate，Whitechapel，andMileEnd，hasincreased260，000，oroversixtypercent。Thechurchesinthisdistrict，bytheway，canseatbutoneineverythirty-sevenoftheaddedpopulation。

TheCityofDreadfulMonotonytheEastEndisoftencalled，especiallybywell-fed，optimisticsightseers，wholookoverthesurfaceofthingsandaremerelyshockedbytheintolerablesamenessandmeannessofitall。IftheEastEndisworthyofnoworsetitlethanTheCityofDreadfulMonotony，andifworkingpeopleareunworthyofvarietyandbeautyandsurprise，itwouldnotbesuchabadplaceinwhichtolive。ButtheEastEnddoesmeritaworsetitle。ItshouldbecalledTheCityofDegradation。

Whileitisnotacityofslums，assomepeopleimagine，itmaywellbesaidtobeonegiganticslum。Fromthestandpointofsimpledecencyandcleanmanhoodandwomanhood，anymeanstreet，ofallitsmeanstreets，isaslum。WheresightsandsoundsaboundwhichneitheryounorIwouldcaretohaveourchildrenseeandhearisaplacewherenoman’schildrenshouldlive，andseeandhear。WhereyouandIwouldnotcaretohaveourwivespasstheirlivesisaplacewherenootherman’swifeshouldhavetopassherlife。Forhere，intheEastEnd，theobscenitiesandbrutevulgaritiesoflifearerampant。

Thereisnoprivacy。Thebadcorruptsthegood，andallfestertogether。Innocentchildhoodissweetandbeautiful；butinEastLondoninnocenceisafleetingthing，andyoumustcatchthembeforetheycrawloutofthecradle，oryouwillfindtheverybabesasunholilywiseasyou。

TheapplicationoftheGoldenRuledeterminesthatEastLondonisanunfitplaceinwhichtolive。Whereyouwouldnothaveyourownbabelive，anddevelop，andgathertoitselfknowledgeoflifeandthethingsoflife，isnotafitplaceforthebabesofothermentolive，anddevelop，andgathertothemselvesknowledgeoflifeandthethingsoflife。Itisasimplething，thisGoldenRule，andallthatisrequired。Politicaleconomyandthesurvivalofthefittestcangohangiftheysayotherwise。Whatisnotgoodenoughforyouisnotgoodenoughforothermen，andthere’snomoretobesaid。

Thereare300，000peopleinLondon，dividedintofamilies，thatliveinone-roomtenements。Far，farmoreliveintwoandthreeroomsandareasbadlycrowded，regardlessofsex，asthosethatliveinoneroom。Thelawdemands400cubicfeetofspaceforeachperson。Inarmybarrackseachsoldierisallowed600cubicfeet。ProfessorHuxley，atonetimehimselfamedicalofficerinEastLondon，alwaysheldthateachpersonshouldhave800cubicfeetofspace，andthatitshouldbewellventilatedwithpureair。YetinLondonthereare900，000

peoplelivinginlessthanthe400cubicfeetprescribedbythelaw。

Mr。CharlesBooth，whoengagedinasystematicworkofyearsinchartingandclassifyingthetoilingcitypopulation，estimatesthatthereare1，800，000peopleinLondonwhoarepoorandverypoor。Itisofinteresttomarkwhathetermspoor。Bypoorhemeansfamilieswhichhaveatotalweeklyincomeoffrom$4。50to$5。25。Theverypoorfallgreatlybelowthisstandard。

Theworkers，asaclass，arebeingmoreandmoresegregatedbytheireconomicmasters；andthisprocess，withitsjammingandovercrowding，tendsnotsomuchtowardsimmoralityasunmorality。HereisanextractfromarecentmeetingoftheLondonCountyCouncil，terseandbald，butwithawealthofhorrortobereadbetweenthelines：

Mr。BruceaskedtheChairmanofthePublicHealthCommitteewhetherhisattentionhadbeencalledtoanumberofcasesofseriousovercrowdingintheEastEnd。InSt。Georges-in-the-Eastamanandhiswifeandtheirfamilyofeightoccupiedonesmallroom。Thisfamilyconsistedoffivedaughters，agedtwenty，seventeen，eight，four，andaninfant，andthreesons，agedfifteen，thirteen，andtwelve。InWhitechapelamanandhiswifeandtheirthreedaughters，agedsixteen，eight，andfour，andtwosons，agedtenandtwelveyears，occupiedasmallerroom。InBethnalGreenamanandhiswife，withfoursons，agedtwenty-three，twenty-one，nineteen，andsixteen，andtwodaughters，agedfourteenandseven，werealsofoundinoneroom。Heaskedwhetheritwasnotthedutyofthevariouslocalauthoritiestopreventsuchseriousovercrowding。

Butwith900，000peopleactuallylivingunderillegalconditions，theauthoritieshavetheirhandsfull。Whentheovercrowdedfolkareejectedtheystrayoffintosomeotherhole；and，astheymovetheirbelongingsbynight，onhand-barrows（onehand-barrowaccommodatingtheentirehouseholdgoodsandthesleepingchildren），itisnexttoimpossibletokeeptrackofthem。IfthePublicHealthActof1891

weresuddenlyandcompletelyenforced，900，000peoplewouldreceivenoticetoclearoutoftheirhousesandgoontothestreets，and500，000roomswouldhavetobebuiltbeforetheywerealllegallyhousedagain。

Themeanstreetsmerelylookmeanfromtheoutside，butinsidethewallsaretobefoundsqualor，misery，andtragedy。Whilethefollowingtragedymayberevoltingtoread，itmustnotbeforgottenthattheexistenceofitisfarmorerevolting。InDevonshirePlace，LissonGrove，ashortwhilebackdiedanoldwomanofseventy-fiveyearsofage。Attheinquestthecoroner’sofficerstatedthatallhefoundintheroomwasalotofoldragscoveredwithvermin。Hehadgothimselfsmotheredwiththevermin。Theroomwasinashockingcondition，andhehadneverseenanythinglikeit。Everythingwasabsolutelycoveredwithvermin。’

Thedoctorsaid：’Hefounddeceasedlyingacrossthefenderonherback。Shehadonegarmentandherstockingson。Thebodywasquitealivewithvermin，andalltheclothesintheroomwereabsolutelygraywithinsects。Deceasedwasverybadlynourishedandwasveryemaciated。Shehadextensivesoresonherlegs，andherstockingswereadherenttothosesores。Thesoresweretheresultofvermin。’

Amanpresentattheinquestwrote；’Ihadtheevilfortunetoseethebodyoftheunfortunatewomanasitlayinthemortuary；andevennowthememoryofthatgruesomesightmakesmeshudder。Thereshelayinthemortuaryshell，sostarvedandemaciatedthatshewasamerebundleofskinandbones。Herhair，whichwasmattedwithfilth，wassimplyanestofvermin。Overherbonychestleapedandrolledhundreds，thousands，myriadsofvermin。’

Ifitisnotgoodforyourmotherandmymothersotodie，thenitisnotgoodforthiswoman，whosoever’smothershemightbe，sotodie。

BishopWilkinson，whohaslivedinZululand，recentlysaid，’NoheadmanofanAfricanvillagewouldallowsuchapromiscuousmixingofyoungmenandwomen，boysandgirls。’Hehadreferencetothechildrenoftheovercrowdedfolk，whoatfivehavenothingtolearnandmuchtounlearnwhichtheywillneverunlearn。

ItisnotoriousthathereintheGhettothehousesofthepooraregreaterprofitearnersthanthemansionsoftherich。Notonlydoesthepoorworkerhavetolivelikeabeast，buthepaysproportionatelymoreforitthandoestherichmanforhisspaciouscomfort。Aclassofhouse-sweatershasbeenmadepossiblebythecompetitionofthepoorforhouses。Therearemorepeoplethanthereisroom，andnumbersareintheworkhousebecausetheycannotfindshelterelsewhere。Notonlyarehouseslet，buttheyaresublet，andsub-subletdowntotheveryrooms。

’Apartofaroomtolet。’Thisnoticewaspostedashortwhileagoinawindownotfiveminutes’walkfromSt。James’sHall。TheRev。

HughPriceHughesisauthorityforthestatementthatbedsareletonthethree-relaysystem-thatis，threetenantstoabed，eachoccupyingiteighthours，sothatitnevergrowscold；whilethefloorspaceunderneaththebedislikewiseletonthethree-relaysystem。

Healthofficersarenotatallunusedtofindingsuchcasesasthefollowing；inoneroomhavingacubiccapacityof1000feet，threeadultfemalesinthebed，andtwoadultfemalesunderthebed；andinoneroomof1650cubicfeet，oneadultmaleandtwochildreninthebed，andtwoadultfemalesunderthebed。

Hereisatypicalexampleofaroomonthemorerespectabletwo-relaysystem。Itisoccupiedinthedaytimebyayoungwomanemployedallnightinahotel。Atseveno’clockintheeveningshevacatestheroom，andabricklayer’slaborercomesin。Atseveninthemorninghevacates，andgoestohiswork，atwhichtimeshereturnsfromhers。

TheRev。W。N。Davies，rectorofSpitalfields，tookacensusofsomeofthealleysinhisparish。Hesays：

Inonealleythereare10houses-51rooms，nearlyallabout8

feetby9feet-and254people。Insixinstancesonlydo2peopleoccupyoneroom；andinothersthenumbervariedfrom3to9。Inanothercourtwith6housesand22roomswere84people-again，6，7，8，and9beingthenumberlivinginoneroom，inseveralinstances。

Inonehousewith8roomsare45people-oneroomcontaining9

persons，one8，two7，andanother6。

ThisGhettocrowdingisnotthroughinclination，butcompulsion。

Nearlyfiftypercentoftheworkerspayfromone-fourthtoone-halfoftheirearningsforrent。TheaveragerentinthelargerpartoftheEastEndisfrom$1。00to$1。50perweekforoneroom，whileskilledmechanics，earning$8。75perweek，areforcedtopartwith$3。75ofitfortwoorthreepokeylittledens，inwhichtheystrivedesperatelytoobtainsomesemblanceofhomelife。Andrentsaregoingupallthetime。InonestreetinStepneytheincreaseinonlytwoyearshasbeenfrom$3。25to$4。50；inanotherstreetfrom$2。75to$4；

andinanotherstreet，from$2。75to$3。75；whileinWhitechapel，two-roomhousesthatrecentlyrentedfor$2。50arenowcosting$5。25。East，west，north，andsouth，therentsaregoingup。Whenlandisworthfrom$100，000to$150，000anacre，someonemustpaythelandlord。

Mr。W。C。Steadman，intheHouseofCommons，inaspeechconcerninghisconstituencyinStepney，relatedthefollowing：

Thismorning，notahundredyardsfromwhereIammyselfliving，awidowstoppedme。Shehassixchildrentosupport，andtherentofherhousewas14shillingsperweek。Shegetsherlivingbylettingthehousetolodgersanddoingaday’swashingorcharing。Thatwoman，withtearsinhereyes，toldmethatthelandlordhadincreasedtherentfrom14shillingsto18shillings。Whatcouldthewomando？ThereisnoaccommodationinStepney。Everyplaceistakenupandovercrowded。

Classsupremacycanrestonlyonclassdegradation；andwhentheworkersaresegregatedintheGhetto，theycannotescapetheconsequentdegradation。Ashortandstuntedpeopleiscreated，-abreedstrikinglydifferentiatedfromtheirmasters’breed，apavementfolk，asitwere，lackingstaminaandstrength。Themenbecomecaricaturesofwhatphysicalmenoughttobe，andtheirwomenandchildrenarepaleandanaemic，witheyesringeddarkly，whostoopandslouch，andareearlytwistedoutofallshapelinessandbeauty。

Tomakemattersworse，themenoftheGhettoarethemenwhoareleft，adeterioratedstocklefttoundergostillfurtherdeterioration。Forahundredandfiftyyears，atleast，theyhavebeendrainedoftheirbest。Thestrongmen，themenofpluck，initiative，andambition，havebeenfaringforthtothefresherandfreerportionsoftheglobe，tomakenewlandsandnations。Thosewhoarelacking，theweakofheartandheadandhand，aswellastherottenandhopeless，haveremainedtocarryonthebreed。Andyearbyyear，inturn，thebesttheybreedaretakenfromthem。Whereveramanofvigorandstaturemanagestogrowup，heishaledforthwithintothearmy。A

soldier，asBernardShawhassaid，’ostensiblyaheroicandpatrioticdefenderofhiscountry，isreallyanunfortunatemandrivenbydestitutiontoofferhimselfasfoodforpowderforthesakeofregularrations，shelter，andclothing。’

Thisconstantselectionofthebestfromtheworkershasimpoverishedthosewhoareleft，asadlydegradedremainder，forthegreatpart，which，intheGhetto，sinkstothedeepestdepths。Thewineoflifehasbeendrawnofftospillitselfinbloodandprogenyovertherestoftheearth。Thosethatremainarethelees，andtheyaresegregatedandsteepedinthemselves。Theybecomeindecentandbestial。Whentheykill，theykillwiththeirhands，andthenstupidlysurrenderthemselvestotheexecutioners。Thereisnosplendidaudacityabouttheirtransgressions。Theygougeamatewithadullknife，orbeathisheadinwithanironpot，andthensitdownandwaitforthepolice。Wife-beatingisthemasculineprerogativeofmatrimony。Theywearremarkablebootsofbrassandiron，andwhentheyhavepolishedoffthemotheroftheirchildrenwithablackeyeorso，theyknockherdownandproceedtotrampleherverymuchasaWesternstalliontramplesarattlesnake。

AwomanofthelowerGhettoclassesisasmuchtheslaveofherhusbandasistheIndiansquaw。AndI，forone，wereIawomanandhadbutthetwochoices，shouldpreferbeingthesquaw。Themenareeconomicallydependentontheirmasters，andthewomenareeconomicallydependentonthemen。Theresultis，thewomangetsthebeatingthemanshouldgivehismaster，andshecandonothing。

Therearethekiddies，andheisthebreadwinner，andshedarenotsendhimtojailandleaveherselfandchildrentostarve。Evidencetoconvictcanrarelybeobtainedwhensuchcasescomeintothecourts；

asarulethetrampledwifeandmotherisweepingandhystericallybeseechingthemagistratetoletherhusbandoffforthekiddies’

sakes。

Thewivesbecomescreamingharridansorbroken-spiritedanddoglike，losewhatlittledecencyandself-respecttheyhaveremainingoverfromtheirmaidendays，andallsinktogether，unheeding，intheirdegradationanddirt。

SometimesIbecomeafraidofmyowngeneralizationsuponthemassedmiseryofthisGhettolife，andfeelthatmyimpressionsareexaggerated，thatIamtooclosetothepictureandlackperspective。AtsuchmomentsIfinditwelltoturntothetestimonyofothermentoprovetomyselfthatIamnotbecomingoverwroughtandaddle-pated。FrederickHarrisonhasalwaysstruckmeasbeingalevel-headed，well-controlledman，andhesays：

Tome，atleast，itwouldbeenoughtocondemnmodernsocietyashardlyanadvanceonslaveryorserfdom，ifthepermanentconditionofindustryweretobethatwhichwebehold，thatninetypercentoftheactualproducersofwealthhavenohomethattheycancalltheirownbeyondtheendoftheweek；havenobitofsoil，orsomuchasaroomthatbelongstothem；havenothingofvalueofanykind，exceptasmucholdfurnitureaswillgointoacart；havetheprecariouschanceofweeklywages，whichbarelysufficetokeeptheminhealth；

arehoused，forthemostpart，inplacesthatnomanthinksfitforhishorse；areseparatedbysonarrowamarginfromdestitutionthatamonthofbadtrade，sickness，orunexpectedlossbringsthemfacetofacewithhungerandpauperism……Butbelowthisnormalstateoftheaverageworkmanintownandcountry，thereisfoundthegreatbandofdestituteoutcasts-thecampfollowersofthearmyofindustry-

atleastone-tenthofthewholeproletarianpopulation，whosenormalconditionisoneofsickeningwretchedness。Ifthisistobethepermanentarrangementofmodernsociety，civilizationmustbeheldtobringacurseonthegreatmajorityofmankind。

Ninetypercent！Thefiguresareappalling，yettheRev。StopfordBrooke，afterdrawingafrightfulLondonpicture，findshimselfcompelledtomultiplyitbyhalfamillion。Hereitis：

Ioftenusedtomeet，whenIwascurateatKensington，familiesdriftingintoLondonalongtheHammersmithRoad。Onedaytherecamealongalaborerandhiswife，hissonandtwodaughters。Theirfamilyhadlivedforalongtimeonanestateinthecountry，andmanaged，withthehelpofthecommon-landandtheirlabor，togeton。Butthetimecamewhenthecommonwasencroachedupon，andtheirlaborwasnotneededontheestate，andtheywerequietlyturnedoutoftheircottage。Whereshouldtheygo？OfcoursetoLondon，whereworkwasthoughttobeplentiful。Theyhadalittlesavings，andtheythoughttheycouldgettwodecentroomstolivein。ButtheinexorablelandquestionmettheminLondon。Theytriedthedecentcourtsforlodgings，andfoundthattworoomswouldcosttenshillingsaweek。Foodwasdearandbad，waterwasbad，andinashorttimetheirhealthsuffered。Workwashardtoget，anditswagewassolowthattheyweresoonindebt。Theybecamemoreillandmoredespairingwiththepoisonoussurroundings，thedarkness，andthelonghoursofwork；andtheyweredrivenforthtoseekacheaperlodging。

TheyfounditinacourtIknewwell-ahotbedofcrimeandnamelesshorrors。Inthistheygotasingleroomatacruelrent，andworkwasmoredifficultforthemtogetnow，astheycamefromaplaceofsuchbadrepute，andtheyfellintothehandsofthosewhosweatthelastdropoutofmanandwomanandchild，forwageswhicharethefoodonlyofdespair。Andthedarknessandthedirt，thebadfoodandthesickness，andthewantofwaterwasworsethanbefore；andthecrowdandthecompanionshipofthecourtrobbedthemofthelastshredsofself-respect。Thedrinkdemonseizeduponthem。Ofcoursetherewasapublichouseatbothendsofthecourt。Theretheyfled，oneandall，forshelter，andwarmth，andsociety，andforgetfulness。Andtheycameoutindeeperdebt，withinflamedsensesandburningbrains，andanunsatisfiedcravingfordrinktheywoulddoanythingtosatiate。Andinafewmonthsthefatherwasinprison，thewifedying，thesonacriminal，andthedaughtersonthestreet。Multiplythisbyhalfamillion，andyouwillbebeneaththetruth。

Nomoredrearyspectaclecanbefoundonthisearththanthewholeofthe’awfulEast，’withitsWhitechapel，Hoxton，Spitalfields，BethnalGreen，andWappingtotheEastIndiaDocks。Thecoloroflifeisgrayanddrab。Everythingishelpless，hopeless，unrelieved，anddirty。Bath-tubsareathingtotallyunknown，asmythicalastheambrosiaofthegods。Thepeoplethemselvesaredirty，whileanyattemptatcleanlinessbecomeshowlingfarce，whenitisnotpitifulandtragic。Strange，vagrantodorscomedriftingalongthegreasywind，andtherain，whenitfalls，ismorelikegreasethanwaterfromheaven。Theverycobblestonesarescummedwithgrease。Inbrief，avastandcomplacentdirtinessobtains，whichcouldbedoneawaywithbynothingshortofaVesuviusorMountPelee。

Herelivesapopulationasdullandunimaginativeasitslonggraymilesofdingybrick。Religionhasvirtuallypasseditby，andagrossandstupidmaterialismreigns，fatalaliketothethingsofthespiritandthefinerinstinctsoflife。

ItusedtobetheproudboastthateveryEnglishman’shomewashiscastle。Butto-dayitisananachronism。TheGhettofolkhavenohomes。Theydonotknowthesignificanceandthesacrednessofhomelife。Eventhemunicipaldwellings，wherelivethebetter-classworkers，areovercrowdedbarracks。Theyhavenohomelife。Theverylanguageprovesit。Thefatherreturningfromworkaskshischildinthestreetwherehermotheris；andbacktheanswercomes，’Inthebuildings。’

Anewracehassprungup，astreetpeople。Theypasstheirlivesatworkandinthestreets。Theyhavedensandlairsintowhichtocrawlforsleepingpurposes，andthatisall。Onecannottravestythewordbycallingsuchdensandlairs’hoes。’ThetraditionalsilentandreservedEnglishmanhaspassedaway。Thepavementfolkarenoisy，voluble，highstrung，excitable-whentheyareyetyoung。Astheygrowoldertheybecomesteepedandstupefiedinbeer。Whentheyhavenothingelsetodo，theyruminateasacowruminates。Theyaretobemetwitheverywhere，standingoncurbsandcorners，andstaringintovacancy。Watchoneofthem。Hewillstandthere，motionless，forhours，andwhenyougoawayyouwillleavehimstillstaringintovacancy。Itismostabsorbing。Hehasnomoneyforbeer，andhislairisonlyforsleepingpurposes，sowhatelseremainsforhimtodo？Hehasalreadysolvedthemysteriesofgirl’slove，andwife’slove，andchild’slove，andfoundthemdelusionsandshams，vainandfleetingasdewdrops，quick-vanishingbeforetheferociousfactsoflife。

AsIsay，theyoungarehigh-strung，nervous，excitable；themiddle-agedareempty-headed，stolid，andstupid。ItisabsurdtothinkforaninstantthattheycancompetewiththeworkersoftheNewWorld。Brutalized，degraded，anddull，theGhettofolkwillbeunabletorenderefficientservicetoEnglandintheworldstruggleforindustrialsupremacywhicheconomistsdeclarehasalreadybegun。

NeitherasworkersnorassoldierscantheycomeuptothemarkwhenEngland，inherneed，callsuponthem，herforgottenones；andifEnglandbeflungoutoftheworld’sindustrialorbit，theywillperishlikefliesattheendofsummer。Or，withEnglandcriticallysituated，andwiththemmadedesperateaswildbeastsaremadedesperate，theymaybecomeamenaceandgo’swelling’downtotheWestEndtoreturnthe’slumming’theWestEndhasdoneintheEast。Inwhichcase，beforerapid-firegunsandthemodernmachineryofwarfare，theywillperishthemoreswiftlyandeasily。

CHAPTERTWENTY。

Coffee-housesandDoss-houses。

Whyshouldwebepacked，headandtail，likecannedsardines？-

ROBERTBLATCHFORD。

ANOTHERPHRASEGONEGLIMMERING，shornofromanceandtraditionandallthatgoestomakephrasesworthkeeping！Forme，henceforth，’coffee-house’willpossessanythingbutanagreeableconnotation。

Overontheothersideoftheworld，themerementionofthewordwassufficienttoconjureupwholecrowdsofitshistoricfrequenters，andtosendtroopingthroughmyimaginationendlessgroupsofwitsanddandies，pamphleteersandbravos，andbohemiansofGrubStreet。

Buthere，onthissideoftheworld，alasandalack，theverynameisamisnomer。Coffee-house：aplacewherepeopledrinkcoffee。Notatall。Youcannotobtaincoffeeinsuchaplaceforloveormoney。True，youmaycallforcoffee，andyouwillhavebroughtyousomethinginacuppurportingtobecoffee，andyouwilltasteitandbedisillusioned，forcoffeeitcertainlyisnot。

Andwhatistrueofthecoffeeistrueofthecoffee-house。

Working-men，inthemain，frequenttheseplaces，andgreasy，dirtyplacestheyare，withoutonethingaboutthemtocherishdecencyinamanorputself-respectintohim。Tableclothsandnapkinsareunknown。Amaneatsinthemidstofthedebrisleftbyhispredecessor，anddribbleshisownscrapsabouthimandonthefloor。

Inrushtimes，insuchplaces，IhavepositivelywadedthroughthemuckandmessthatcoveredthefloorandIhavemanagedtoeatbecauseIwasabominablyhungryandcapableofeatinganything。

Thisseemstobethenormalconditionoftheworking-man，fromthezestwithwhichheaddresseshimselftotheboard。Eatingisanecessity，andtherearenofrillsaboutit。Hebringsinwithhimaprimitivevoraciousness，and，Iamconfident，carriesawaywithhimafairlyhealthyappetite。Whenyouseesuchaman，onhiswaytoworkinthemorning，orderapintoftea，whichisnomoreteathanitisambrosia，pullahunkofdrybreadfromhispocket，andwashtheonedownwiththeother，dependuponit，thatmanhasnottherightsortofstuffinhisbelly，norenoughofthewrongsortofstuff，tofithimforhisday’swork。Andfurther，dependuponit，heandathousandofhiskindwillnotturnoutthequantityorqualityofworkthatathousandmenwillwhohaveeatenheartilyofmeatandpotatoesanddrunkcoffeethatiscoffee。

Apintoftea，kipper（orbloater），and’twoslices’（breadandbutter）areaverygoodbreakfastforaLondonworkman。Ihavelookedinvainforhimtoorderafive-pennyorsix-pennysteak（thecheapesttobehad）；while，whenIorderedoneformyself，Ihaveusuallyhadtowaittilltheproprietorcouldsendouttothenearestbutchershopandbuyone。

Asavagrantinthe’Hobo’ofaCaliforniajail，IhavebeenservedbetterfoodanddrinkthantheLondonworkmanreceivesinhiscoffee-houses；whileasanAmericanlaborerIhaveeatenabreakfastfortwelvepencesuchastheBritishlaborerwouldnotdreamofeating。

Ofcourse，hewillpayonlythreeorfourpenceforhis；whichis，however，asmuchasIpaid，forIwouldbeearningsixshillingstohistwoortwoandahalf。Ontheotherhand，though，andinreturn，I

wouldturnoutanamountofworkinthecourseofthedaythatwouldputtoshametheamountheturnedout。Sotherearetwosidestoit。

Themanwiththehighstandardoflivingwillalwaysdomoreworkandbetterthanthemanwiththelowstandardofliving。

ThereisacomparisonwhichsailormenmakebetweentheEnglishandAmericanmerchantservices。InanEnglishship，theysay，itispoorgrub，poorpay，andeasywork；inanAmericanship，goodgrub，goodpay，andhardwork。Andthisisapplicabletotheworkingpopulationsofbothcountries。Theoceangreyhoundshavetopayforspeedandsteam，andsodoestheworkman。Butiftheworkmanisnotabletopayforit，hewillnothavethespeedandsteam，thatisall。

TheproofofitiswhentheEnglishworkmancomestoAmerica。HewilllaymorebricksinNewYorkthanhewillinLondon，stillmorebricksinSt。Louis，andstillmorebrickswhenhegetstoSanFrancisco。*Hisstandardoflivinghasbeenrisingallthetime。

*TheSanFranciscobricklayerreceivestwentyshillingsperday，andatpresentisonstrikefortwenty-fourshillings。

Earlyinthemorning，alongthestreetsfrequentedbyworkmenonthewaytowork，manywomensitonthesidewalkwithsacksofbreadbesidethem。Noendofworkmenpurchasethese，andeatthemastheywalkalong。Theydonotevenwashthedrybreaddownwiththeteatobeobtainedforapennyinthecoffee-houses。Itisincontestablethatamanisnotfittobeginhisday’sworkonameallikethat；anditisequallyincontestablethatthelosswillfalluponhisemployeranduponthenation。Forsometime，now，statesmenhavebeencrying，’Wakeup，England！’Itwouldshowmorehard-headedcommonsenseiftheychangedthetuneto’Feedup，England！’

Notonlyistheworkerpoorlyfed，butheisfilthilyfed。Ihavestoodoutsideabutchershopandwatchedahordeofspeculativehousewivesturningoverthetrimmingsandscrapsandshredsofbeefandmutton-dog-meatintheStates。Iwouldnotvouchforthecleanfingersofthesehousewives，nomorethanIwouldvouchforthecleanlinessofthesingleroomsinwhichmanyofthemandtheirfamilieslived；yettheyraked，andpawed，andscrapedthemessaboutintheiranxietytogettheworthoftheircoppers。Ikeptmyeyeononeparticularlyoffensive-lookingbitofmeat，andfolloweditthroughtheclutchesofovertwentywomen，tillitfelltothelotofatimid-appearinglittlewomanwhomthebutcherbulldozedintotakingit。Alldaylongthisheapofscrapswasaddedtoandtakenawayfrom，thedustanddirtofthestreetfallinguponit，fliessettlingonit，andthedirtyfingersturningitoverandover。

Thecosterswheelloadsofspeckedanddecayingfruitaroundinthebarrowsallday，andveryoftenstoreitintheironelivingandsleepingroomforthenight。Thereitisexposedtothesicknessanddisease，theeffluviaandvileexhalationsofovercrowdedandrottenlife，andnextdayitiscartedaboutagaintobesold。

ThepoorworkeroftheEastEndneverknowswhatitistoeatgoodwholesomemeatorfruit-infact，herarelyeatsmeatorfruitatall；

whiletheskilledworkmanhasnothingtoboastofinthewayofwhatheeats。Judgingfromthecoffee-houses，whichisafaircriterion，theyneverknowinalltheirliveswhattea，coffee，orcocoatastelike。Theslopsandwater-witcheriesofthecoffee-houses，varyingonlyinsloppinessandwitchery，neverevenapproximateorsuggestwhatyouandIareaccustomedtodrinkasteaandcoffee。

Alittleincidentcomestome，connectedwithacoffee-housenotfarfromJubileeStreetontheMileEndRoad。

’Cawnyerletme’avesomethin’forthis，daughter？Anythin’，Hidon’tmind。Hi’aven’t’adabitetheblesseddy，anHi’mthatfynt……’

Shewasanoldwoman，cladindecentblackrags，andinherhandsheheldapenny。Theoneshehadaddressedas’daughter’wasacare-wornwomanofforty，proprietressandwaitressofthehouse。

Iwaited，possiblyasanxiouslyastheoldwoman，toseehowtheappealwouldbereceived。Itwasfourintheafternoon，andshelookedfaintandsick。Thewomanhesitatedaninstant，thenbroughtalargeplateof’stewedlambandyoungpeas。’Iwaseatingaplateofitmyself，anditismyjudgmentthatthelambwasmuttonandthatthepeasmighthavebeenyoungerwithoutbeingyouthful。However，thepointis，thedishwassoldatsixpence，andtheproprietressgaveitforapenny，demonstratinganewtheoldtruththatthepoorarethemostcharitable。

Theoldwoman，profuseinhergratitude，tookaseatontheothersideofthenarrowtableandravenouslyattackedthesmokingstew。

Weatesteadilyandsilently，thepairofus，whensuddenly，explosivelyandmostgleefully，shecriedouttome：

’Hisoldaboxo’matches！’

’Yus，’sheconfirmed，ifanythingwithgreaterandmoreexplosiveglee。’Hisoldaboxo’matches！That’s’owHigotthepenny。’

’Youmustbegettingalonginyears，’Isuggested。

’Seventy-fouryesterday，’shereplied，andreturnedwithgustotoherplate。

’Blimey，I’dliketodosomethingfortheoldgirl，thatIwould，butthisisthefirstI’ve’adto-dy，’theyoungfellowalongsidevolunteeredtome。’An’Ionly’avethisbecauseI’appenedtomakeanoddshillingwashin’out，Lordlumme！Idon’tknow’owmanypots。’

’Noworkatmyowntrydeforsixweeks，’hesaidfurther，inreplytomyquestions；’nothin’butoddjobsablessedlongwybetween。’

Onemeetswithallsortsofadventuresincoffee-houses，andIshallnotsoonforgetaCockneyAmazoninaplacenearTrafalgarSquare，towhomItenderedasovereignwhenpayingmyscore。（Bytheway，oneissupposedtopaybeforehebeginstoeat，andifhebepoorlydressedheiscompelledtopaybeforeheeats。）

Thegirlbitthegoldpiecebetweenherteeth，rangitonthecounter，andthenlookedmeandmyragswitheringlyupanddown。

’Where’dyoufindit？’sheatlengthdemanded。

’Somemugleftitonthetablewhenhewentout，eh，don’tyouthink？’Iretorted。

’Wot’syergyme？’shequeried，lookingmecalmlyintheeyes。

’Imakes’em，’quothI。

Shesniffedsuperciliouslyandgavemethechangeinsmallsilver，andIhadmyrevengebybitingandringingeverypieceofit。

’I’llgiveyouha’pennyforanotherlumpofsugarinthetea，’I

said。

’I’llseeyouin’ellfirst，’cametheretortcourteous。Also，sheamplifiedtheretortcourteousindiversvividandunprintableways。

Ineverhadmuchtalentforrepartee，butsheknockedsillywhatlittleIhad，andIgulpeddownmyteaabeatenman，whileshegloatedaftermeevenasIpassedouttothestreet。

While300，000peopleofLondonliveinone-roomtenements，and900，000areillegallyandviciouslyhoused，38，000moreareregisteredaslivingincommonlodging-houses-knowninthevernacularas’doss-houses。’Therearemanykindsofdoss-houses，butinonethingtheyareallalike，fromthefilthylittleonestothemonsterbigonespayingfivepercentandblatantlylaudedbysmugmiddle-classmenwhoknownothingaboutthem，andthatonethingistheiruninhabitableness。BythisIdonotmeanthattheroofsleakorthewallsaredraughty；butwhatIdomeanisthatlifeinthemisdegradingandunwholesome。

’Thepoorman’shotel，’theyareoftencalled，butthephraseiscaricature。Nottopossessaroomtoone’sself，inwhichsometimestositalone；tobeforcedoutofbedwilly-nilly，thefirstthinginthemorning；toengageandpayanewforabedeachnight；andnevertohaveanyprivacy，surelyisamodeofexistencequitedifferentfromthatofhotellife。

Thismustnotbeconsideredasweepingcondemnationofthebigprivateandmunicipallodging-housesandworking-men’shomes。Farfromit。Theyhaveremediedmanyoftheatrocitiesattendantupontheirresponsiblesmalldoss-houses，andtheygivetheworkmanmoreforhismoneythanheeverreceivedbefore；butthatdoesnotmakethemashabitableorwholesomeasthedwelling-placeofamanshouldbewhodoeshisworkintheworld。

Thelittleprivatedoss-houses，asarule，areunmitigatedhorrors。Ihavesleptinthem，andIknow；butletmepassthembyandconfinemyselftothebiggerandbetterones。NotfarfromMiddlesexStreet，Whitechapel，Ienteredsuchahouse，aplaceinhabitedalmostentirelybyworking-men。Theentrancewasbywayofaflightofstepsdescendingfromthesidewalktowhatwasproperlythecellarofthebuilding。Hereweretwolargeandgloomilylightedrooms，inwhichmencookedandate。Ihadintendedtodosomecookingmyself，butthesmelloftheplacestoleawaymyappetite，or，rather，wresteditfromme；soIcontentedmyselfwithwatchingothermencookandeat。

Oneworkman，homefromwork，satdownoppositemeattheroughwoodentable，andbeganhismeal。Ahandfulofsaltonthenotover-cleantableconstitutedhisbutter。Intoithedippedhisbread，mouthfulbymouthful，andwasheditdownwithteafromabigmug。Apieceoffishcompletedhisbilloffare。Heatesilently，lookingneithertorightnorleftnoracrossatme。Hereandthere，atthevarioustables，othermenwereeating，justassilently。Inthewholeroomtherewashardlyanoteofconversation。Afeelingofgloompervadedtheill-lightedplace。Manyofthemsatandbroodedoverthecrumbsoftheirrepast，andmademewonder，asChildeRolandwondered，whateviltheyhaddonethattheyshouldbepunishedso。

Fromthekitchencamethesoundsofmoregeniallife，andIventuredintotherangewherethemenwerecooking。ButthesmellIhadnoticedonenteringwasstrongerhere，andarisingnauseadrovemeintothestreetforfreshair。

OnmyreturnIpaidfivepencefora’cabin，’tookmyreceiptforthesameintheformofahugebrasscheck，andwentupstairstothesmoking-room。Here，acoupleofsmallbilliardtablesandseveralcheckerboardswerebeingusedbyyoungworking-men，whowaitedinrelaysfortheirturnatthegames，whilemanymenweresittingaround，smoking，reading，andmendingtheirclothes。Theyoungmenwerehilarious，theoldmenweregloomy。Infact，thereweretwotypesofmen，thecheerfulandthesoddenorblue，andageseemedtodeterminetheclassification。

Butnomorethanthetwocellarrooms，didthisroomconveytheremotestsuggestionofhome。Certainlytherecouldbenothinghomelikeaboutittoyouandme，whoknowwhathomereallyis。Onthewallswerethemostpreposterousandinsultingnoticesregulatingtheconductoftheguests，andatteno’clockthelightswereputout，andnothingremainedbutbed。Thiswasgainedbydescendingagaintothecellar，bysurrenderingthebrasschecktoaburlydoorkeeper，andbyclimbingalongflightofstairsintotheupperregions。Iwenttothetopofthebuildinganddownagain，passingseveralfloorsfilledwithsleepingmen。The’cabins’werethebestaccommodation，eachcabinallowingspaceforatinybedandroomalongsideofitinwhichtoundress。Thebeddingwasclean，andwithneitheritnorthebeddoIfindanyfault。Buttherewasnoprivacyaboutit，nobeingalone。

Togetanadequateideaofafloorfilledwithcabins，youhavemerelytomagnifyalayerofthepasteboardpigeon-holesofanegg-cratetilleachpigeon-holeissevenfeetinheightandotherwiseproperlydimensioned，thenplacethemagnifiedlayeronthefloorofalarge，barnlikeroom，andthereyouhaveit。Therearenoceilingstothepigeon-holes，thewallsarethin，andthesnoresfromallthesleepersandeverymoveandturnofyournearerneighborscomeplainlytoyourears。Andthiscabinisyoursonlyforalittlewhile。Inthemorningoutyougo。Youcannotputyourtrunkinit，orcomeandgowhenyoulike，orlockthedoorbehindyou，oranythingofthesort。Infact，thereisnodooratall，onlyadoorway。Ifyoucaretoremainaguestinthispoorman’shotel，youmustputupwithallthis，andwithprisonregulationswhichimpressuponyouconstantlythatyouarenobody，withlittlesoulofyourownandlesstosayaboutit。

NowIcontendthattheleastamanwhodoeshisday’sworkshouldhave，isaroomtohimself，wherehecanlockthedoorandbesafeinhispossessions；wherehecansitdownandreadbyawindoworlookout；wherehecancomeandgowheneverhewishes；wherehecanaccumulateafewpersonalbelongingsotherthanthosehecarriesaboutwithhimonhisbackandinhispockets；wherehecanhanguppicturesofhismother，sister，sweetheart，balletdancers，orbulldogs，ashisheartlisteth-inshort，oneplaceofhisownontheearthofwhichhecansay：’Thisismine，mycastle；theworldstopsatthethreshold；

hereamIlordandmaster。’Hewillbeabettercitizen，thisman；andhewilldoabetterday’swork。

Istoodononefloorofthepoorman’shotelandlistened。Iwentfrombedtobedandlookedatthesleepers。Theywereyoungmen，fromtwentytoforty，mostofthem。Oldmencannotaffordtheworking-man’shome。Theygototheworkhouse。ButIlookedattheyoungmen，scoresofthem，andtheywerenotbad-lookingfellows。

Theirfacesweremadeforwomen’skisses，theirnecksforwomen’sarms。Theywerelovable，asmenarelovable。Theywerecapableoflove。Awoman’stouchredeemsandsoftens，andtheyneededsuchredemptionandsofteninginsteadofeachdaygrowingharshandharsher。AndIwonderedwherethesewomenwere，andhearda’harlot’sginnylaugh。’LemanStreet，WaterlooRoad，Piccadilly，TheStrand，answeredme，andIknewwheretheywere。

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE。

ThePrecariousnessofLife。

Whatdoyouworkat？Youlookill。

It’smelungs。Imakesulphuricacid。

Youareasalt-cakeman？

Yes。

Isithardwork？

Itisdamnedhardwork。

Whydoyouworkatsuchaslavishtrade？

Iammarried。Ihavechildren。AmItostarveandletthem？

Whydoyouleadthislife？

Iammarried。There’saterriblelotofmenoutofworkinSt。Helen’s。

Whatdoyoucallhardwork？

Mywork。Youcomeandheavethemthree-hundred-weightlumpswithafifty-poundbar，inthatheatatthefurnacedoor，andtryit。

Iwillnot。Iamaphilosopher。

Oh！Well，theesticktot’job。Oursist’varydevil-

FrominterviewswithworkmenbyROBERTBLATCHFORD。

IWASTALKINGWITHAVERYvindictiveman。Inhisopinion，hiswifehadwrongedhimandthelawhadwrongedhim。Themeritsandmoralsofthecaseareimmaterial。Themeatofthematteristhatshehadobtainedaseparation，andhewascompelledtopaytenshillingseachweekforthesupportofherandthefivechildren。’Butlookyou，’saidhetome，’wot’ll’appento’erifIdon’tpyupthetenshillings？S’posin’，now，justs’posin’aaccident’appenstome，soI

cawn’twork。S’posin’Igetarupture，ortherheumatics，orthecholera。Wot’sshegoin’todo，eh？Wot’sshegoin’todo？’

Heshookhisheadsadly。’No’opefor’er。Thebestshecawndoisthework’ouse，an’that’s’ell。An’ifshedon’tgotothework’ouse，it’llbeworsen’ell。Comealong’ithmean’I’llshowyouwomensleepin’inapassage，adozenof’em。An’I’llshowyouworse，wotshe’llcometoifanythin’’appenstomeandthetenshillings。’

Thecertitudeofthisman’sforecastisworthyofconsideration。

Heknewconditionssufficientlytoknowtheprecariousnessofhiswife’sgrasponfoodandshelter。Forherthegamewasupwhenhisworkingcapacitywasimpairedordestroyed。Andwhenthisstateofaffairsislookedatinitslargeraspect，thesamewillbefoundtrueofhundredsofthousandsandevenmillionsofmenandwomenlivingamicablytogetherandcooperatinginthepursuitoffoodandshelter。

Thefiguresareappalling；1，800，000peopleinLondonliveonthepovertylineandbelowit，andanother1，000，000livewithoneweek’swagesbetweenthemandpauperism。InallEnglandandWales，eighteenpercentofthewholepopulationaredriventotheparishforrelief，andinLondon，accordingtothestatisticsoftheLondonCountyCouncil，twenty-onepercentofthewholepopulationaredriventotheparishforrelief。Betweenbeingdriventotheparishforreliefandbeinganout-and-outpauperthereisagreatdifference，yetLondonsupports123，000paupers，quiteacityoffolkinthemselves。OneineveryfourinLondondiesonpubliccharity，while939outofevery1000intheUnitedKingdomdieinpoverty；

8，000，000simplystruggleontheraggededgeofstarvation，and20，000，000morearenotcomfortableinthesimpleandcleansenseoftheword。

ItisinterestingtogomoreintodetailconcerningtheLondonpeoplewhodieoncharity。In1886，andupto1893，thepercentageofpauperismtopopulationwaslessinLondonthaninallEngland；butsince1893，andforeverysucceedingyear，thepercentageofpauperismtopopulationhasbeengreaterinLondonthaninallEngland。Yet，fromtheRegistrarGeneral’sReportfor1886，thefollowingfiguresaretaken：

Outof81，951deathsinLondon（1884）-

Inworkhouses……9，909

Inhospitals……6，559

Inlunaticasylums……278

Totalinpublicrefuges……16，746

Commentingonthesefigures，aFabianwritersays：’Consideringthatcomparativelyfewofthesearechildren，itisprobablethatoneineverythreeLondonadultswillbedrivenintooneoftheserefugestodie，andtheproportioninthecaseofthemanuallaborclassmustofcoursebestilllarger。’

Thesefiguresservesomewhattoindicatetheproximityoftheaverageworkertopauperism。Variousthingsmakepauperism。Anadvertisement，forinstance，suchasthis，appearinginyesterdaymorning’spaper：’Clerkwanted，withknowledgeofshorthand，typewriting，andinvoicing；wagestenshillings（$2。50）aweek。

Applybyletter，’etc。Andintoday’spaperIreadofaclerk，thirty-fiveyearsofageandaninmateofaLondonworkhouse，broughtbeforeamagistratefornon-performanceoftask。Heclaimedthathehaddonehisvarioustaskssincehehadbeenaninmate；butwhenthemastersethimtobreakingstones，hishandsblistered，andhecouldnotfinishthetask。Hehadneverbeenusedtoanimplementheavierthanapen，hesaid。Themagistratesentencedhimandhisblisteredhandstosevendays’hardlabor。

Oldage，ofcourse，makespauperism。Andthenthereistheaccident，thethinghappening，thedeathordisablementofthehusband，father，andbread-winner。Hereisaman，withawifeandthreechildren，livingontheticklishsecurityoftwentyshillings（$5。00）perweek-andtherearehundredsofthousandsofsuchfamiliesinLondon。Perforce，toevenhalfexist，theymustliveuptothelastpennyofit，sothataweek’swages，$5。00，isallthatstandsbetweenthisfamilyandpauperismorstarvation。Thethinghappens，thefatherisstruckdown，andwhatthen？Amotherwiththreechildrencandolittleornothing。Eithershemusthandherchildrenovertosocietyasjuvenilepaupers，inordertobefreetodosomethingadequateforherself，orshemustgotothesweat-shopsforworkwhichshecanperformintheviledenpossibletoherreducedincome。Butwiththesweat-shops，marriedwomenwhoekeouttheirhusband’searnings，andsinglewomenwhohavebutthemselvesmiserablytosupport，determinethescaleofwages。Andthisscaleofwages，sodetermined，issolowthatthemotherandherthreechildrencanliveonlyinpositivebeastlinessandsemi-starvation，tilldecayanddeathendtheirsuffering。

Toshowthatthismother，withherthreechildrentosupport，cannotcompeteinthesweatingindustries，Iinstancefromthecurrentnewspapersthetwofollowingcases。Afatherindignantlywritesthathisdaughterandagirlcompanionreceive17centspergrossformakingboxes。Theymadeeachdayfourgross。Theirexpenseswere16

centsforcarfare，4centsforstamps，5centsforglue，and2centsforstring，sothatalltheyearnedbetweenthemwas42cents，oradailywageeachof21cents。Inthesecondcase，beforetheLutonGuardiansafewdaysago，anoldwomanofseventy-twoappeared，askingforrelief。’Shewasastrawhatmaker，buthadbeencompelledtogiveuptheworkowingtothepricesheobtainedforthem-namely，41/2

centseach。Forthatpriceshehadtoprovideplaittrimmingsandmakeandfinishthehats。’

Yetthismotherandherthreechildrenweareconsidering，havedonenowrongthattheyshouldbesopunished。Theyhavenotsinned。Thethinghappened，thatisall；thehusband，father，andbread-winner，wasstruckdown。Thereisnoguardingagainstit。Itisfortuitous。

AfamilystandssomanychancesofescapingthebottomoftheAbyss，andsomanychancesoffallingplumpdowntoit。Thechanceisreducibletocold，pitilessfigures，andafewofthesefigureswillnotbeoutofplace。

SirA。Forwoodcalculatesthat，1ofevery1400workmeniskilledannually。

1ofevery2500workmenistotallydisabled。

1ofevery-300workmenispermanentlypartiallydisabled。

1ofevery——-8workmenistemporarilydisabled3or4weeks。

Buttheseareonlytheaccidentsofindustry。ThehighmortalityofthepeoplewholiveintheGhettoplaysaterriblepart。TheaverageageatdeathamongthepeopleoftheWestEndisfifty-fiveyears；theaverageageatdeathamongthepeopleoftheEastEndisthirtyyears。Thatistosay，thepersonintheWestEndhastwicethechanceforlifethatthepersonhasintheEastEnd。Talkofwar！

ThemortalityinSouthAfricaandthePhilippinesfadesawaytoinsignificance。Here，intheheartofpeace，iswherethebloodisbeingshed；andherenoteventhecivilizedrulesofwarfareobtain，forthewomenandchildrenandbabesinthearmsarekilledjustasferociouslyasthemenarekilled。War！InEngland，everyyear，500，000men，women，andchildren，engagedinthevariousindustries，arekilledanddisabled，orareinjuredtodisablementbydisease。

IntheWestEndeighteenpercentofthechildrendiebeforefiveyearsofage；intheEastEndfifty-fivepercentofthechildrendiebeforefiveyearsofage。AndtherearestreetsinLondonwhere，outofeveryonehundredchildrenborninayear，fiftydieduringthenextyear；andofthefiftythatremain，twenty-fivediebeforetheyarefiveyearsold。Slaughter！Heroddidnotdoquitesobadly-hiswasamerefiftypercentbagatellemortality。

ThatindustrycausesgreaterhavocwithhumanlifethanbattledoesnobettersubstantiationcanbegiventhanthefollowingextractfromarecentreportoftheLiverpoolMedicalOfficer，whichisnotapplicabletoLiverpoolalone：

Inmanyinstanceslittleifanysunlightcouldgettothecourts，andtheatmospherewithinthedwellingswasalwaysfoul，owinglargelytothesaturatedconditionofthewallsandceilings，whichforsomanyyearshadabsorbedtheexhalationsoftheoccupantsintotheirporousmaterial。SingulartestimonytotheabsenceofsunlightinthesecourtswasfurnishedbytheactionoftheParksandGardensCommittee，whodesiredtobrightenthehomesofthepoorestclassbygiftsofgrowingflowersandwindow-boxes；butthesegiftscouldnotbemadeincourtssuchasthese，asflowersandplantsweresusceptibletotheunwholesomesurroundings，andwouldnotlive。

Mr。GeorgeHawhascompiledthefollowingtableonthethreeSt。

George’sparishes（Londonparishes）：

PercentageofDeathRatePopulationper1000

OvercrowdedSt。George’sWest……1013。2

St。George’sSouth……3523。7

St。George’sEast……4026。4

Thentherearethe’dangeroustrades，’inwhichcountlessworkersareemployed。Theirholdonlifeisindeedprecarious-far，farmoreprecariousthantheholdofthetwentieth-centurysoldieronlife。

Inthelinentrade，inthepreparationoftheflax，wetfeetandwetclothescauseanunusualamountofbronchitis，pneumonia，andsevererheumatism；whileinthecardingandspinningdepartmentsthefinedustproduceslung-diseaseinthemajorityofcases，andthewomanwhostartscardingatseventeenoreighteenbeginstobreakupandgotopiecesatthirty。Thechemicallaborers，pickedfromthestrongestandmostsplendidlybuiltmentobefound，live，onanaverage，lessthanforty-eightyears。

SaysDr。Arlidge，ofthepotter’strade：’Potter’sdustdoesnotkillsuddenly，butsettles，yearafteryear，alittlemorefirmlyintothelungs，untilatlengthacaseofplasterisformed。Breathingbecomesmoreandmoredifficultanddepressed，andfinallyceases。’

Steeldust，stonedust，claydust，alkalidust，fluffdust，fibredust-allthesethingskill，andtheyaremoredeadlythanmachine-gunsandpom-poms。Worstofallistheleaddustinthewhiteleadtrades。Hereisadescriptionofthetypicaldissolutionofayoung，healthy，well-developedgirlwhogoestoworkinawhiteleadfactory：

Here，afteravaryingdegreeofexposure，shebecomesanaemic。Itmaybethathergumsshowaveryfaintblueline，orperchanceherteethandgumsareperfectlysound，andnobluelineisdiscernible。

Coincidentallywiththeanaemiashehasbeengettingthinner，butsograduallyasscarcelytoimpressitselfuponherorherfriends。

Sickness，however，ensues，andheadaches，growinginintensity，aredeveloped。Thesearefrequentlyattendedbyobscurationofvisionortemporaryblindness。Suchagirlpassesintowhatappearstoherfriendsandmedicaladviserasordinaryhysteria。Thisgraduallydeepenswithoutwarning，untilshesuddenlyseizedwithaconvulsion，beginninginone-halfoftheface，theninvolvingthearm，nextthelegofthesamesideofthebody，untiltheconvulsion，violentandpurelyepilepticformincharacter，becomesuniversal。

Thisisattendedbylossofconsciousness，outofwhichshepassesintoaseriesofconvulsions，graduallyincreasinginseverity，inoneofwhichshedies-orconsciousness，partialorperfect，isregained，either，itmaybe，forafewminutes，afewhours，ordays，duringwhichviolentheadacheiscomplainedof，orsheisdeliriousandexcited，asinacutemania，ordullandsullenasinmelancholia，andrequirestoberoused，whensheisfoundwandering，andherspeechissomewhatimperfect。Withoutfurtherwarning，savethatthepulse，whichhasbecomesoft，withnearlythenormalnumberofbeats，allatoncebecomeslowandhard；sheissuddenlyseizedwithanotherconvulsion，inwhichshedies，orpassesintoastateofcomafromwhichsheneverrallies。Inanothercasetheconvulsionswillgraduallysubside，theheadachedisappearsandthepatientrecovers，onlytofindthatshehascompletelylosthereyesight，alossthatmaybetemporaryorpermanent。

Andhereareafewspecificcasesofwhiteleadpoisoning：

CharlotteRafferty，afine，well-grownyoungwomanwithasplendidconstitution-whohadneverhadaday’sillnessinherlife-becameawhiteleadworker。Convulsionsseizedheratthefootoftheladderintheworks。Dr。Oliverexaminedher，foundthebluelinealonghergums，whichshowsthatthesystemisundertheinfluenceofthelead。Heknewthattheconvulsionswouldshortlyreturn。Theydidso，andshedied。

MaryAnnToler-agirlofseventeen，whohadneverhadafitinherlife-threetimesbecameillandhadtoleaveoffworkinthefactory。Beforeshewasnineteensheshowedsymptomsofleadpoisoning-hadfits，frothedatthemouth，anddied。

MaryA。，anunusuallyvigorouswoman，wasabletoworkintheleadfactoryfortwentyyears，havingcoliconceonlyduringthattime。Hereightchildrenalldiedinearlyinfancyfromconvulsions。Onemorning，whilstbrushingherhair，thiswomansuddenlylostallpowerinbothherwrists。

ElizaH。，agedtwenty-five，afterfivemonthsatleadworks，wasseizedwithcolic。Sheenteredanotherfactory（afterbeingrefusedbythefirstone）andworkedonuninterruptedlyfortwoyears。Thentheformersymptomsreturned，shewasseizedwithconvulsions，anddiedintwodaysofacuteleadpoisoning。

Mr。VaughanNash，speakingoftheunborngeneration，says：’Thechildrenofthewhiteleadworkerentertheworld，asarule，onlytodiefromtheconvulsionsofleadpoisoning-theyareeitherbornprematurely，ordiewithinthefirstyear。’

And，finally，letmeinstancethecaseofHarrietA。Walker，ayounggirlofseventeen，killedwhileleadingaforlornhopeontheindustrialbattlefield。Shewasemployedasanenamelledwarebrusher，whereinleadpoisoningisencountered。Herfatherandbrotherwerebothoutofemployment。Sheconcealedherillness，walkedsixmilesadaytoandfromwork，earnedhersevenoreightshillingsperweek，anddied，atseventeen。

DepressionintradealsoplaysanimportantpartinhurlingtheworkersintotheAbyss。Withaweek’swagesbetweenafamilyandpauperism，amonth’senforcedidlenessmeanshardshipandmiseryalmostundescribable，andfromtheravagesofwhichthevictimsdonotalwaysrecoverwhenworkistobehadagain。JustnowthedailypaperscontainthereportofameetingoftheCarlisleBranchoftheDocker’sUnion，whereinitisstatedthatmanyofthemen，formonthspast，havenotaveragedaweeklyincomeofmorethan$1。00to$1。25。ThestagnatedstateoftheshippingindustryintheportofLondonisheldaccountableforthisconditionofaffairs。

Totheyoungworking-manorworking-woman，ormarriedcouple，thereisnoassuranceofhappyorhealthymiddlelife，norofsolventoldage。Workastheywill，theycannotmaketheirfuturesecure。Itisallamatterofchance。Everythingdependsuponthethinghappening，thethingwithwhichtheyhavenothingtodo。

Precautioncannotfenditoff，norcanwilesevadeit。Iftheyremainontheindustrialbattlefieldtheymustfaceitandtaketheirchanceagainstheavyodds。Ofcourse，iftheyarefavorablymadeandarenottiedbykinshipduties，theymayrunawayfromtheindustrialbattlefield。Inwhichevent，thesafestthingthemancandoistojointhearmy；andforthewoman，possibly，tobecomeaRedCrossnurseorgointoanunnery。Ineithercasetheymustforegohomeandchildrenandallthatmakeslifeworthlivingandoldageotherthananightmare。

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO。

Suicide。

Englandistheparadiseoftherich，thepurgatoryofthewise，andthehellofthepoor-

THEODOREPARKER。

WITHLIFESOPRECARIOUS，ANDopportunityforthehappinessoflifesoremote，itisinevitablethatlifeshallbecheapandsuicidecommon。Socommonisit，thatonecannotpickupadailypaperwithoutrunningacrossit；whileanattempt-at-suicidecaseinapolicecourtexcitesnomoreinterestthananordinary’drunk，’andishandledwiththesamerapidityandunconcern。

IremembersuchacaseintheThamesPoliceCourt。IpridemyselfthatIhavegoodeyesandears，andafairworkingknowledgeofmenandthings；butIconfess，asIstoodinthatcourtroom，thatIwashalf-bewilderedbytheamazingdespatchwithwhichdrunks，disorderlies，vagrants，brawlers，wife-beaters，thieves，fences，gamblers，andwomenofthestreetwentthroughthemachineofjustice。

Thedockstoodinthecentreofthecourt（wherethelightisbest），andintoitandoutagainsteppedmen，women，andchildren，inastreamassteadyasthestreamofsentenceswhichfellfromthemagistrate’slips。

Iwasstillponderingoveraconsumptive’fence’whohadpleadedinabilitytoworkandnecessityforsupportingwifeandchildren，andwhohadreceivedayearathardlabor，whenayoungboyofabouttwentyappearedinthedock。’AlfredFreeman。’Icaughthisname，butfailedtocatchthecharge。Astoutandmotherly-lookingwomanbobbedupinthewitness-boxandbeganhertestimony。WifeoftheBritannialock-keeper，Ilearnedshewas。Time，night；asplash；sherantothelockandfoundtheprisonerinthewater。

Iflashedmygazefromhertohim。Sothatwasthecharge，self-murder。Hestoodtheredazedandunheeding，hisbonnybrownhairrumpleddownhisforehead，hisfacehaggardandcare-wornandboyishstill。

’Yes，sir，’thelock-keeper’swifewassaying。’AsfastasI

pulledtoget’imout，’ecrawledback。ThenIcalledfor’elp，andsomeworkmen’appenedalong，andwegot’imoutandturned’imovertotheconstable。’

Themagistratecomplimentedthewomanonhermuscularpowers，andthecourtroomlaughed；butallIcouldseewasaboyonthethresholdoflife，passionatelycrawlingtomuddydeath，andtherewasnolaughterinit。

Amanwasnowinthewitness-box，testifyingtotheboy’sgoodcharacterandgivingextenuatingevidence。Hewastheboy’sforeman，orhadbeen，Alfredwasagoodboy，buthehadhadlotsoftroubleathome，moneymatters。Andthenhismotherwassick。Hewasgiventoworrying，andheworriedoverittillhelaidhimselfoutandwasn’tfitforwork。He（theforeman），forthesakeofhisownreputation，theboy’sworkbeingbad，hadbeenforcedtoaskhimtoresign。

’Anythingtosay？’themagistratedemandedabruptly。

Theboyinthedockmumbledsomethingindistinctly。Hewasstilldazed。

’Whatdoeshesay，constable？’themagistrateaskedimpatiently。

Thestalwartmaninbluebenthiseartotheprisoner’slips，andthenrepliedloudly，’Hesayshe’sverysorry，yourWorship。’

’Remanded，’saidhisWorship；andthenextcasewasunderway，thefirstwitnessalreadyengagedintakingtheoath。Theboy，dazedandunheeding，passedoutwiththejailer。Thatwasall，fiveminutesfromstarttofinish；andtwohulkingbrutesinthedockweretryingstrenuouslytoshifttheresponsibilityofthepossessionofastolenfishing-pole，worthprobablytencents。

Thechieftroublewiththesepoorfolkisthattheydonotknowhowtocommitsuicide，andusuallyhavetomaketwoorthreeattemptsbeforetheysucceed。This，verynaturally，isahorridnuisancetotheconstablesandmagistrates，andgivesthemnoendoftrouble。Sometimes，however，themagistratesarefranklyoutspokenaboutthematter，andcensuretheprisonersfortheslacknessoftheirattempts。Forinstance，Mr。R。Sykes，chairmanofStalybridgemagistrates，inthecasetheotherdayofAnnWood，whotriedtomakeawaywithherselfinthecanal：’Ifyouwantedtodoit，whydidn’tyoudoitandgetitdonewith？’demandedtheindignantMr。

Sykes。’Whydidyounotgetunderthewaterandmakeanendofit，insteadofgivingusallthistroubleandbother？’

Poverty，misery，andfearoftheworkhouse，aretheprincipalcausesofsuicideamongtheworkingclasses。’I’lldrownmyselfbeforeIgointotheworkhouse，’saidEllenHughesHunt，agedfifty-two。LastWednesdaytheyheldaninquestonherbodyatShoreditch。HerhusbandcamefromtheIslingtonWorkhousetotestify。Hehadbeenacheesemonger，butfailureinbusinessandpovertyhaddrivenhimintotheworkhouse，whitherhiswifehadrefusedtoaccompanyhim。

Shewaslastseenatoneinthemorning。ThreehourslaterherhatandjacketwerefoundonthetowingpathbytheRegent’sCanal，andlaterherbodywasfishedfromthewater。Verdict：Suicideduringtemporaryinsanity。

Suchverdictsarecrimesagainsttruth。TheLawisalie，andthroughitmenliemostshamelessly。Forinstance，adisgracedwoman，forsakenandspatuponbykithandkin，dosesherselfandherbabywithlaudanum。Thebabydies；butshepullsthroughafterafewweeksinhospital，ischargedwithmurder，convicted，andsentencedtotenyears’penalservitude。Recovering，theLawholdsherresponsibleforheractions；yet，hadshedied，thesameLawwouldhaverenderedaverdictoftemporaryinsanity。

Now，consideringthecaseofEllenHughesHunt，itisasfairandlogicaltosaythatherhusbandwassufferingfromtemporaryinsanitywhenhewentintotheIslingtonWorkhouse，asitistosaythatshewassufferingfromtemporaryinsanitywhenshewentintotheRegent’sCanal。Astowhichisthepreferablesojourningplaceisamatterofopinion，ofintellectualjudgment。I，forone，fromwhatIknowofcanalsandworkhouses，shouldchoosethecanal，wereIinasimilarposition。AndImakeboldtocontendthatIamnomoreinsanethanEllenHughesHunt，herhusband，andtherestofthehumanherd。

Mannolongerfollowsinstinctwiththeoldnaturalfidelity。Hehasdevelopedintoareasoningcreature，andcanintellectuallyclingtolifeordiscardlifejustaslifehappenstopromisegreatpleasureorpain。IdaretoassertthatEllenHughesHunt，defraudedandbilkedofallthejoysoflifewhichfifty-twoyears’serviceintheworldhadearned，withnothingbutthehorrorsoftheworkhousebeforeher，wasveryrationalandlevel-headedwhensheelectedtojumpintothecanal。AndIdaretoassert，further，thatthejuryhaddoneawiserthingtobringinaverdictchargingsocietywithtemporaryinsanityforallowingEllenHughesHunttobedefraudedandbilkedofallthejoysoflifewhichfifty-twoyears’serviceintheworldhadearned。

Temporaryinsanity！Oh，thesecursedphrases，theseliesoflanguage，underwhichpeoplewithmeatintheirbelliesandwholeshirtsontheirbacksshelterthemselves，andevadetheresponsibilityoftheirbrothersandsisters，emptyofbellyandwithoutwholeshirtsontheirbacks。

FromoneissueoftheObserver，anEastEndpaper，Iquotethefollowingcommonplaceevents：

Aship’sfireman，namedJohnnyKing，waschargedwithattemptingtocommitsuicide。OnWednesdaydefendantwenttoBowPoliceStationandstatedthathehadswallowedaquantityofphosphorpaste，ashewashardupandunabletoobtainwork。Kingwastakeninsideandanemeticadministered，whenhevomitedupaquantityofthepoison。

Defendantnowsaidhewasverysorry。Althoughhehadsixteenyears’

goodcharacter，hewasunabletoobtainworkofanykind。Mr。

Dickinsonhaddefendantputbackforthecourtmissionarytoseehim。

TimothyWarner，thirty-two，wasremandedforasimilaroffence。HejumpedoffLimehousePier，andwhenrescued，said，’Iintendedtodoit。’

Adecent-lookingyoungwoman，namedEllenGray，wasremandedonachargeofattemptingtocommitsuicide。Abouthalf-pasteightonSundaymorningConstable834KfounddefendantlyinginadoorwayinBenworthStreet，andshewasinaverydrowsycondition。Shewasholdinganemptybottleinonehand，andstatedthatsometwoorthreehourspreviouslyshehadswallowedaquantityoflaudanum。Asshewasevidentlyveryill，thedivisionalsurgeonwassentfor，andhavingadministeredsomecoffee，orderedthatshewastobekeptawake。Whendefendantwascharged，shestatedthatthereasonwhysheattemptedtotakeherlifewasshehadneitherhomenorfriends。

Idonotsaythatallpeoplewhocommitsuicidearesane，nomorethanIsaythatallpeoplewhodonotcommitsuicidearesane。

Insecurityoffoodandshelter，bytheway，isagreatcauseofinsanityamongtheliving。Costermongers，hawkers，andpedlars，aclassofworkerswholivefromhandtomouthmorethanthoseofanyotherclass，formthehighestpercentageofthoseinthelunaticasylums。Amongthemaleseachyear，26。9per10，000goinsane，andamongthewomen，36。9。Ontheotherhand，ofsoldiers，whoareatleastsureoffoodandshelter，13per10，000goinsane；andoffarmersandgraziers，only5。1。Soacosteristwiceaslikelytolosehisreasonasasoldier，andfivetimesaslikelyasafarmer。

Misfortuneandmiseryareverypotentinturningpeople’sheads，anddriveonepersontothelunaticasylum，andanothertothemorgueorthegallows。Whenthethinghappens，andthefatherandhusband，forallofhisloveforwifeandchildrenandhiswillingnesstowork，cangetnoworktodo，itisasimplematterforhisreasontototterandthelightwithinhisbraingoout。Anditisespeciallysimplewhenitistakenintoconsiderationthathisbodyisravagedbyinnutritionanddisease，inadditiontohissoulbeingtornbythesightofhissufferingwifeandlittleones。

’Heisagood-lookingman，withamassofblackhair，dark，expressiveeyes，delicatelychisellednoseandchin，andwavy，fairmoustache。’Thisisthereporter’sdescriptionofFrankCavillaashestoodincourt，thisdrearymonthofSeptember，’dressedinamuchworngraysuit，andwearingnocollar。’

FrankCavillalivedandworkedasahousedecoratorinLondon。Heisdescribedasagoodworkman，asteadyfellow，andnotgiventodrink，whileallhisneighborsuniteintestifyingthathewasagentleandaffectionatehusbandandfather。

Hiswife，HannahCavilla，wasabig，handsome，light-heartedwoman。Shesawtoitthathischildrenweresentneatandclean（theneighborsallremarkedthefact）totheChildericRoadBoardSchool。

Andso，withsuchaman，soblessed，workingsteadilyandlivingtemperately，allwentwell，andthegoosehunghigh。

Thenthethinghappened。HeworkedforaMr。Beck，builder，andlivedinoneofhismaster’shousesinTrundleyRoad，Mr。Beckwasthrownfromhistrapandkilled。Thethingwasanunrulyhorse，and，asIsay，ithappened。Cavillahadtoseekfreshemploymentandfindanotherhouse。

Thisoccurredeighteenmonthsago。Foreighteenmonthshefoughtthebigfight。HegotroomsinalittlehouseonBataviaRoad，butcouldnotmakebothendsmeet。Steadyworkcouldnotbeobtained。Hestruggledmanfullyatcasualemploymentofallsorts，hiswifeandfourchildrenstarvingbeforehiseyes。Hestarvedhimself，andgrewweak，andfellill。Thiswasthreemonthsago，andthentherewasabsolutelynofoodatall。Theymadenocomplaint，spokenoword；

butpoorfolkknow。ThehousewivesofBataviaRoadsentthemfood，butsorespectableweretheCavillasthatthefoodwassentanonymously，mysteriously，soasnottohurttheirpride。

Thethinghadhappened。Hehadfought，andstarved，andsufferedforeighteenmonths。HegotuponeSeptembermorning，early。Heopenedhispocket-knife。Hecutthethroatofhiswife，HannahCavilla，agedthirty-three。Hecutthethroatofhisfirst-born，Frank，agedtwelve。

Hecutthethroatofhisson，Walter，agedeight。Hecutthethroatofhisdaughter，Nellie，agedfour。Hecutthethroatofhisyoungest-born，Ernest，agedsixteenmonths。Thenhewatchedbesidethedeadalldayuntiltheevening，whenthepolicecame，andhetoldthemtoputapennyintheslotofthegas-meterinorderthattheymighthavelighttosee。

FrankCavillastoodincourt，dressedinamuchworngraysuit，andwearingnocollar。Hewasagood-lookingman，withamassofblackhair，dark，expressiveeyes，delicatelychisellednoseandchin，andwavy，fairmoustache。

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE。

TheChildren。

Wherehomeisahovel，anddullwegrovel，Forgettingtheworldisfair。

THEREISONEBEAUTIFULSIGHTintheEastEndandonlyone，anditisthechildrendancinginthestreetwhentheorgan-grindergoeshisround。Itisfascinatingtowatchthem，thenew-bornthenextgeneration，swayingandstepping，withprettylittlemimicriesandgracefulinventionsalltheirown，withmusclesthatmoveswiftlyandeasily，andbodiesthatleapairily，weavingrhythmsnevertaughtindancingschool。

Ihavetalkedwiththesechildren，here，there，andeverywhere，andtheystruckmeasbeingbrightasotherchildren，andinmanywaysevenbrighter。Theyhavemostactivelittleimaginations。Theircapacityforprojectingthemselvesintotherealmofromanceandfantasyisremarkable。Ajoyouslifeisrompingintheirblood。Theydelightinmusic，andmotion，andcolor，andveryoftentheybetrayastartlingbeautyoffaceandformundertheirfilthandrags。

ButthereisaPiedPiperofLondonTownwhostealsthemallaway。

Theydisappear。Oneneverseesthemagain，oranythingthatsuggeststhem。Youmaylookfortheminvainamongstthegenerationofgrown-ups。Hereyouwillfindstuntedforms，uglyfaces，andbluntandstolidminds。Grace，beauty，imagination，alltheresiliencyofmindandmuscle，aregone。Sometimes，however，youmayseeawoman，notnecessarilyold，buttwistedanddeformedoutofallwomanhood，bloatedanddrunken，liftherdraggledskirtsandexecuteafewgrotesqueandlumberingstepsuponthepavement。Itisahintthatshewasonceoneofthosechildrenwhodancedtotheorgan-grinder。

Thosegrotesqueandlumberingstepsareallthatisleftofthepromiseofchildhood。Inthebefoggedrecessesofherbrainhasarisenafleetingmemorythatshewasonceagirl。Thecrowdclosesin。

Littlegirlsaredancingbesideher，abouther，withalltheprettygracesshedimlyrecollects，butcannomorethanparodywithherbody。Thenshepantsforbreath，exhausted，andstumblesoutthroughthecircle。Butthelittlegirlsdanceon。

ThechildrenoftheGhettopossessallthequalitieswhichmakefornoblemanhoodandwomanhood；buttheGhettoitself，likeaninfuriatedtigressturningonitsyoung，turnsuponanddestroysallthesequalities，blotsoutthelightandlaughter，andmouldsthoseitdoesnotkillintosoddenandforlorncreatures，uncouth，degradedandwretchedbelowthebeastsofthefield。

Astothemannerinwhichthisisdone，Ihaveinpreviouschaptersdescribedatlength；hereletProfessorHuxleydescribeinbrief：’Anyonewhoisacquaintedwiththestateofthepopulationofallgreatindustrialcentres，whetherinthisorothercountries，isawarethatamidstalargeandincreasingbodyofthatpopulationtherereignssupreme……thatconditionwhichtheFrenchcalllamisere，awordforwhichIdonotthinkthereisanyexactEnglishequivalent。Itisaconditioninwhichthefood，warmth，andclothingwhicharenecessaryforthemeremaintenanceofthefunctionsofthebodyintheirnormalstatecannotbeobtained；inwhichmen，women，andchildrenareforcedtocrowdintodenswhereindecencyisabolished，andthemostordinaryconditionsofhealthfulexistenceareimpossibleofattainment；inwhichthepleasureswithinreacharereducedtobrutalityanddrunkenness；inwhichthepainsaccumulateatcompoundinterestintheshapeofstarvation，disease，stunteddevelopment，andmoraldegradation；inwhichtheprospectofevensteadyandhonestindustryisalifeofunsuccessfulbattlingwithhunger，roundedbyapauper’sgrave。’

Insuchconditions，theoutlookforchildrenishopeless。Theydielikeflies，andthosethatsurvive，survivebecausetheypossessexcessivevitalityandacapacityofadaptationtothedegradationwithwhichtheyaresurrounded。Theyhavenohomelife。Inthedensandlairsinwhichtheylivetheyareexposedtoallthatisobsceneandindecent。Andastheirmindsaremaderotten，soaretheirbodiesmaderottenbybadsanitation，overcrowding，andunderfeeding。Whenafatherandmotherlivewiththreeorfourchildreninaroomwherethechildrentaketurnaboutinsittinguptodrivetheratsawayfromthesleepers，whenthosechildrenneverhaveenoughtoeatandarepreyeduponandmademiserableandweakbyswarmingvermin，thesortofmenandwomenthesurvivorswillmakecanreadilybeimagined。

DulldespairandmiseryLieaboutthemfromtheirbirth；

Uglycurses，ugliermirth，Aretheirearliestlullaby。

Amanandawomanmarryandsetuphousekeepinginoneroom。Theirincomedoesnotincreasewiththeyears，thoughtheirfamilydoes，andthemanisexceedinglyluckyifhecankeephishealthandhisjob。

Ababycomes，andthenanother。Thismeansthatmoreroomshouldbeobtained；buttheselittlemouthsandbodiesmeanadditionalexpenseandmakeitabsolutelyimpossibletogetmorespaciousquarters。

Morebabiescome。Thereisnotroominwhichtoturnaround。Theyoungstersrunthestreets，andbythetimetheyaretwelveorfourteentheroom-issuecomestoahead，andouttheygoonthestreetsforgood。Theboy，ifhebelucky，canmanagetomakethecommonlodging-houses，andhemayhaveanyoneofseveralends。Butthegirloffourteenorfifteen，forcedinthismannertoleavetheoneroomcalledhome，andabletoearnatthebestapaltryfiveorsixshillingsperweek，canhavebutoneend。AndthebitterendofthatoneendissuchasthatthewomanwhosebodythepolicefoundthismorninginadoorwayonDorsetStreet，Whitechapel。Homeless，shelterless，sick，withnoonewithherinherlasthour，shehaddiedinthenightofexposure。Shewassixty-twoyearsoldandamatchvender。Shediedasawildanimaldies。

FreshinmymindisthepictureofaboyinthedockofanEastEndpolicecourt。Hisheadwasbarelyvisibleabovetherailing。Hewasbeingprovedguiltyofstealingtwoshillingsfromawoman，whichhehadspent，notforcandyandcakesandagoodtime，butforfood。

’Whydidn’tyouaskthewomanforfood？’themagistratedemanded，inahurtsortoftone。’Shewouldsurelyhavegivenyousomethingtoeat。’

’IfI’adarsked’er，I’dgotlockedupforbeggin’，’wastheboy’sreply。

Themagistrateknittedhisbrowsandacceptedtherebuke。Nobodyknewtheboy，norhisfatherormother。Hewaswithoutbeginningorantecedents，awaif，astray，ayoungcubseekinghisfoodinthejungleofempire，preyingupontheweakandbeingpreyeduponbythestrong。

ThepeoplewhotrytohelpgatheruptheGhettochildrenandsendthemawayonaday’soutingtothecountry。Theybelievethatnotverymanychildrenreachtheageoftenwithouthavinghadatleastonedaythere。Ofthis，awritersays：’Thementalchangecausedbyonedaysospentmustnotbeundervalued。Whateverthecircumstances，thechildrenlearnthemeaningoffieldsandwoods，sothatdescriptionsofcountrysceneryinthebookstheyread，whichbeforeconveyednoimpression，becomenowintelligible。’

Onedayinthefieldsandwoods，iftheyareluckyenoughtobepickedupbythepeoplewhotrytohelp！Andtheyarebeingbornfastereverydaythantheycanbecartedofftothefieldsandwoodsfortheonedayintheirlives。Oneday！Inalltheirlives，oneday！Andfortherestofthedays，astheboytoldacertainbishop，’Attenwe’opsthewag；atthirteenwenicksthings；an’atsixteenwebashesthecopper。’Whichistosay，attentheyplaytruant，atthirteensteal，andatsixteenaresufficientlydevelopedhooliganstosmashthepolicemen。

TheRev。J。CartmelRobinsontellsofaboyandgirlofhisparish，whosetouttowalktotheforest。Theywalkedandwalkedthroughthenever-endingstreets，expectingalwaystoseeitbyandby；untiltheysatdownatlast，faintanddespairing，andwererescuedbyakindwomanwhobroughtthemback。Evidentlytheyhadbeenoverlookedbythepeoplewhotrytohelp。

ThesamegentlemanisauthorityforthestatementthatinastreetinHoxton（adistrictofthevastEastEnd），oversevenhundredchildren，betweenfiveandthirteenyears，liveineightysmallhouses。Andheadds：’ItisbecauseLondonhaslargelyshutherchildreninamazeofstreetsandhousesandrobbedthemoftheirrightfulinheritanceinskyandfieldandbrook，thattheygrowuptobemenandwomenphysicallyunfit。’

Hetellsofamemberofhiscongregationwholetabasementroomtoamarriedcouple。’Theysaidtheyhadtwochildren；whentheygotpossessionitturnedoutthattheyhadfour。Afterawhileafifthappeared，andthelandlordgavethemnoticetoquit。Theypaidnoattentiontoit。Thenthesanitaryinspector，whohastowinkatthelawsooften，cameinandthreatenedmyfriendwithlegalproceedings。

Hepleadedthathecouldnotgetthemout。Theypleadedthatnobodywouldhavethemwithsomanychildrenatarentalwithintheirmeans，whichisoneofthecommonestcomplaintsofthepoor，bythebye。Whatwastobedone？Thelandlordwasbetweentwomillstones。

Finallyheappliedtothemagistrate，whosentupanofficertoinquireintothecase。Sincethattimeabouttwentydayshaveelapsed，andnothinghasyetbeendone。Isthisasingularcase？Bynomeans；

itisquitecommon。’

Lastweekthepoliceraidedadisorderlyhouse。Inoneroomwerefoundtwoyoungchildren。Theywerearrestedandchargedwithbeinginmatesthesameasthewomenhadbeen。Theirfatherappearedatthetrial。Hestatedthathimselfandwifeandtwoolderchildren，besidesthetwointhedock，occupiedthatroom；hestatedalsothatheoccupieditbecausehecouldgetnootherroomforthehalf-crownaweekhepaidforit。Themagistratedischargedthetwojuvenileoffendersandwarnedthefatherthathewasbringinghischildrenupunhealthily。

Butthereisneedfurthertomultiplyinstances。InLondontheslaughteroftheinnocentsgoesononascalemorestupendousthananybeforeinthehistoryoftheworld。AndequallystupendousisthecallousnessofthepeoplewhobelieveinChrist，acknowledgeGod，andgotochurchregularlyonSunday。FortherestoftheweektheyriotaboutontherentsandprofitswhichcometothemfromtheEastEndstainedwiththebloodofthechildren。Also，attimes，sopeculiarlyaretheymade，theywilltakehalfamillionoftheserentsandprofitsandsenditawaytoeducatetheblackboysoftheSoudan。

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR。

AVisionoftheNight。

Allthesewereyearsagolittlered-colored，pulpyinfants，capableofbeingkneaded，baked，intoanysocialformyouchose-

CARLYLE。

LATELASTNIGHTIWALKEDalongCommercialStreetfromSpitalfieldstoWhitechapel，andstillcontinuingsouth，downLemanStreettothedocks。AndasIwalkedIsmiledattheEastEndpapers，which，filledwithcivicpride，boastfullyproclaimthatthereisnothingthematterwiththeEastEndasalivingplaceformenandwomen。

ItisratherhardtotellatitheofwhatIsaw。Muchofitisuntellable。ButinageneralwayImaysaythatIsawanightmare，afearfulslimethatquickenedthepavementwithlife，amessofunmentionableobscenitythatputintoeclipsethe’nightlyhorror’

ofPiccadillyandtheStrand。Itwasamenagerieofgarmentedbipedsthatlookedsomethinglikehumansandmorelikebeasts，andtocompletethepicture，brass-buttonedkeeperskeptorderamongthemwhentheysnarledtoofiercely。

Iwasgladthekeeperswerethere，forIdidnothaveonmy’seafaring’clothes，andIwaswhatiscalleda’mark’forthecreaturesofpreythatprowledupanddown。Attimes，betweenkeepers，thesemaleslookedatmesharply，hungrily，gutter-wolvesthattheywere，andIwasafraidoftheirhands，oftheirnakedhands，asonemaybeafraidofthepawsofagorilla。Theyremindedmeofgorillas。Theirbodiesweresmall，ill-shaped，andsquat。Therewerenoswellingmuscles，noabundantthewsandwide-spreadingshoulders。

Theyexhibited，rather，anelementaleconomyofnature，suchasthecave-menmusthaveexhibited。Buttherewasstrengthinthosemeagrebodies，theferocious，primordialstrengthtoclutchandgripeandtearandrend。Whentheyspringupontheirhumanpreytheyareknowneventobendthevictimbackwardanddoubleitsbodytillthebackisbroken。Theypossessneitherconsciencenorsentiment，andtheywillkillforahalf-sovereign，withoutfearorfavor，iftheyaregivenbuthalfachance。Theyareanewspecies，abreedofcitysavages。Thestreetsandhouses，alleysandcourts，aretheirhuntinggrounds。Asvalleyandmountainaretothenaturalsavage，streetandbuildingarevalleyandmountaintothem。Theslumistheirjungle，andtheyliveandpreyinthejungle。

Thedearsoftpeopleofthegoldentheatresandwonder-mansionsoftheWestEnddonotseethesecreatures，donotdreamthattheyexist。

Buttheyarehere，alive，verymuchaliveintheirjungle。Andwoetheday，whenEnglandisfightinginherlasttrench，andherable-bodiedmenareonthefiring-line！Foronthatdaytheywillcrawloutoftheirdensandlairs，andthepeopleoftheWestEndwillseethem，asthedearsoftaristocratsofFeudalFrancesawthemandaskedoneanother，’Whencecamethey？’’Aretheymen？’

Buttheywerenottheonlybeaststhatrangedthemenagerie。Theywereonlyhereandthere，lurkingindarkcourtsandpassinglikegrayshadowsalongthewalls；butthewomenfromwhoserottenloinstheyspringwereeverywhere。Theywhinedinsolently，andinmaudlintonesbeggedmeforpennies，andworse。Theyheldcarouseineveryboozingken，slatternly，unkempt，bleary-eyed，andtousled，leeringandgibbering，overspillingwithfoulnessandcorruption，and，goneindebauch，sprawlingacrossbenchesandbars，unspeakablyrepulsive，fearfultolookupon。

Andtherewereothers，strange，weirdfacesandformsandtwistedmonstrositiesthatshoulderedmeoneveryside，inconceivabletypesofsoddenugliness，thewrecksofsociety，theperambulatingcarcasses，thelivingdeaths-women，blastedbydiseaseanddrinktilltheirshamebroughtnottu’penceintheopenmart；andmen，infantasticrags，wrenchedbyhardshipandexposureoutofallsemblanceofmen，theirfacesinaperpetualwritheofpain，grinningidiotically，shamblinglikeapes，dyingwitheverysteptheytookandeachbreaththeydrew。Andtherewereyounggirls，ofeighteenandtwenty，withtrimbodiesandfacesyetuntouchedwithtwistandbloat，whohadfetchedthebottomoftheAbyssplump，inoneswiftfall。AndI

rememberaladoffourteen，andoneofsixorseven，white-facedandsickly，homeless，thepairofthem，whosatuponthepavementwiththeirbacksagainstarailingandwatcheditall。

Theunfitandtheunneeded！Industrydoesnotclamorforthem。Therearenojobsgoingbeggingthroughlackofmenandwomen。Thedockerscrowdattheentrancegate，andcurseandturnawaywhentheforemandoesnotgivethemacall。Theengineerswhohaveworkpaysixshillingsaweektotheirbrotherengineerswhocanfindnothingtodo；514，000textileworkersopposearesolutioncondemningtheemploymentofchildrenunderfifteen。Women，andplentytospare，arefoundtotoilunderthesweat-shopmastersfortenpenceadayoffourteenhours。AlfredFreemancrawlstomuddydeathbecauseheloseshisjob。EllenHughesHuntprefersRegent’sCanaltoIslingtonWorkhouse。FrankCavillacutsthethroatsofhiswifeandchildrenbecausehecannotfindworkenoughtogivethemfoodandshelter。

Theunfitandtheunneeded！Themiserableanddespisedandforgotten，dyinginthesocialshambles。Theprogenyofprostitution-oftheprostitutionofmenandwomenandchildren，offleshandblood，andsparkleandspirit；inbrief，theprostitutionoflabor。Ifthisisthebestthatcivilizationcandoforthehuman，thengiveushowlingandnakedsavagery。Farbettertobeapeopleofthewildernessanddesert，ofthecaveandthesquatting-place，thantobeapeopleofthemachineandtheAbyss。

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE。

TheHungerWail。

Ihold，iftheAlmightyhadevermadeasetofmentodoalloftheeatingandnoneofthework，hewouldhavemadethemwithmouthsonly，andnohands；andifhehadevermadeanothersetthathehadintendedshoulddoalltheworkandnoneoftheeating，hewouldhavemadethemwithoutmouthsandwithallhands-

ABRAHAMLINCOLN。

MYFATHERHASMORESTAMINAthanI，forheiscountry-born。’

Thespeaker，abrightyoungEastEnder，waslamentinghispoorphysicaldevelopment。

’Lookatmyscrawnyarm，willyou。’Hepulleduphissleeve。’Notenoughtoeat，that’swhat’sthematterwithit。Oh，notnow。IhavewhatIwanttoeatthesedays。Butit’stoolate。Itcan’tmakeupforwhatIdidn’thavetoeatwhenIwasakiddy。DadcameuptoLondonfromtheFenCountry。Motherdied，andthereweresixofuskiddiesanddadlivingintwosmallrooms。

’Hehadhardtimes，daddid。Hemighthavechuckedus，buthedidn’t。Heslavedallday，andatnighthecamehomeandcookedandcaredforus。Hewasfatherandmother，both。Hedidhisbest，butwedidn’thaveenoughtoeat。Werarelysawmeat，andthenoftheworst。Anditisnotgoodforgrowingkiddiestositdowntoadinnerofbreadandabitofcheese，andnotenoughofit。

’Andwhat’stheresult？Iamundersized，andIhaven’tthestaminaofmydad。Itwasstarvedoutofme。Inacoupleofgenerationsthere’llbenomoreofmehereinLondon。Yetthere’smyyoungerbrother；he’sbiggerandbetterdeveloped。Yousee，dadandwechildrenheldtogether，andthataccountsforit。’

’ButIdon’tsee，’Iobjected。’Ishouldthink，undersuchconditions，thatthevitalityshoulddecreaseandtheyoungerchildrenbebornweakerandweaker。’

’Notwhentheyholdtogether，’hereplied。’WheneveryoucomealongintheEastEndandseeachildoffromeighttotwelve，good-sized，well-developed，andhealthy-looking，justyouask，andyouwillfindthatitistheyoungestinthefamily，oratleastisoneoftheyounger。Thewayofitisthis：theolderchildrenstarvemorethantheyoungerones。Bythetimetheyoungeronescomealong，theolderonesarestartingtowork，andthereismoremoneycomingin，andmorefoodtogoaround。’

Hepulleddownhissleeve，aconcreteinstanceofwherechronicsemi-starvationkillsnot，butstunts。Hisvoicewasbutoneamongthemyriadsthatraisethecryofthehungerwailinthegreatestempireintheworld。Onanyoneday，over1，000，000peopleareinreceiptofpoor-lawreliefintheUnitedKingdom。Oneinelevenofthewholeworking-classreceivepoor-lawreliefinthecourseoftheyear；

37，500，000peoplereceivelessthan$60permonth，perfamily；andaconstantarmyof8，000，000livesontheborderofstarvation。

AcommitteeoftheLondonCountyschoolboardmakesthisdeclaration：’Attimes，（whenthereisnospecialdistress），55，000

childreninastateofhunger，whichmakesituselesstoattempttoteachthem，areintheschoolsofLondonalone。’Theparenthesesaremine。’Whenthereisnospecialdistress’meansgoodtimesinEngland；

forthepeopleofEnglandhavecometolookuponstarvationandsuffering，whichtheycall’distress，’aspartofthesocialorder。

Chronicstarvationislookeduponasamatterofcourse。Itisonlywhenacutestarvationmakesitsappearanceonalargescalethattheythinksomethingisunusual。

IshallneverforgetthebitterwailofablindmaninalittleEastEndshopatthecloseofamurkyday。Hehadbeentheeldestoffivechildren，withamotherandnofather。Beingtheeldest，hehadstarvedandworkedasachildtoputbreadintothemouthsofhislittlebrothersandsisters。Notonceinthreemonthsdidheevertastemeat。Heneverknewwhatitwastohavehishungerthoroughlyappeased。Andheclaimedthatthischronicstarvationofhischildhoodhadrobbedhimofhissight。Tosupporttheclaim，hequotedfromthereportoftheRoyalCommissionontheBlind，’Blindnessismostprevalentinpoordistricts，andpovertyacceleratesthisdreadfulaffliction。’

Buthewentfurther，thisblindman，andinhisvoicewasthebitternessofanafflictedmantowhomsocietydidnotgiveenoughtoeat。HewasoneofanarmyofsixmillionblindinLondon，andhesaidthatintheblindhomestheydidnotreceivehalfenoughtoeat。Hegavethedietforaday：

Breakfast-3/4pintofskillyanddrybread。

Dinner……3oz。meat。

1sliceofbread。

1/2lb。potatoes。

Supper……3/4pintofskillyanddrybread。

OscarWilde，Godresthissoul，voicesthecryoftheprisonchild，which，invaryingdegree，isthecryoftheprisonmanandwoman：’Thesecondthingfromwhichachildsuffersinprisonishunger。Thefoodthatisgiventoitconsistsofapieceofusuallybad-bakedprisonbreadandatinofwaterforbreakfastathalf-pastseven。Attwelveo’clockitgetsdinner，composedofatinofcoarseIndianmealstirabout（skilly），andathalf-pastfiveitgetsapieceofdrybreadandatinofwaterforitssupper。Thisdietinthecaseofastronggrownmanisalwaysproductiveofillnessofsomekind，chieflyofcoursediarrhoea，withitsattendantweakness。Infact，inabigprisonastringentmedicinesareservedoutregularlybythewardersasamatterofcourse。Inthecaseofachild，thechildis，asarule，incapableofeatingthefoodatall。Anyonewhoknowsanythingaboutchildrenknowshoweasilyachild’sdigestionisupsetbyafitofcrying，ortroubleandmentaldistressofanykind。Achildwhohasbeencryingalldaylong，andperhapshalfthenight，inalonelydim-litcell，andispreyeduponbyterror，simplycannoteatfoodofthiscoarse，horriblekind。InthecaseofthelittlechildtowhomwardenMartingavethebiscuits，thechildwascryingwithhungeronTuesdaymorning，andutterlyunabletoeatthebreadandwaterservedtoitforitsbreakfast。Martinwentoutafterthebreakfastshadbeenservedandboughtthefewsweetbiscuitsforthechildratherthanseeitstarving。Itwasabeautifulactiononhispart，andwassorecognizedbythechild，who，utterlyunconsciousoftheregulationsofthePrisonBoard，toldoneoftheseniorwardenshowkindthisjuniorwardenhadbeentohim。Theresultwas，ofcourse，areportandadismissal。’

RobertBlatchfordcomparestheworkhousepauper’sdailydietwiththesoldier’s，which，whenhewasasoldier，wasnotconsideredliberalenough，andyetistwiceasliberalasthepauper’s。

PAUPERDIETSOLDIER

31/4oz。Meat12oz。

151/2oz。Bread24oz。

6……oz。Vegetables8oz。

Theadultmalepaupergetsmeat（outsideofsoup）butonceaweek，andthepaupers’havenearlyallthatpallid，pastycomplexionwhichisthesuremarkofstarvation。’

Hereisatable，comparingtheworkhousepauper’sweeklyallowancewiththeworkhouseofficer’sweeklyallowance。

OFFICERDIETPAUPER

7lb。Bread63/4lb。

5lb。Meat1lb。2oz。

12oz。Bacon21/2oz。

8oz。Cheese2oz。

7lb。Potatoes11/2lb。

6lb。Vegetablesnone1lb。Flournone2oz。Lardnone12oz。Butter7oz。

noneRicepudding1lb。

Andasthesamewriterremarks：’Theofficer’sdietisstillmoreliberalthanthepauper’s；butevidentlyitisnotconsideredliberalenough，forafootnoteisaddedtotheofficer’stablesayingthat’acashpaymentoftwoshillingssixpenceaweekisalsomadetoeachresidentofficerandservant。’Ifthepauperhasamplefood，whydoestheofficerhavemore？Andiftheofficerhasnottoomuch，canthepauperbeproperlyfedonlessthanhalftheamount？’

ButitisnotalonetheGhetto-dweller，theprisoner，andthepauperthatstarve。Hodge，ofthecountry，doesnotknowwhatitisalwaystohaveafullbelly。Intruth，itishisemptybellywhichhasdrivenhimtothecityinsuchgreatnumbers。LetusinvestigatethewayoflivingofalaborerfromaparishintheBradfieldPoorLawUnion，Berks。Supposinghimtohavetwochildren，steadywork，arent-freecottage，andanaverageweeklywageofthirteenshillings，whichisequivalentto$3。25，thenhereishisweeklybudget：

（shillings）（pence）

Bread（5quarterns）……110

Flour（1/2gallon）……04

Tea（1/4lb。）……06

Butter（1lb。）……13

Lard（1lb。）……06

Sugar（6lb。）……10

Baconorothermeat（about4lb。）……28

Cheese（1lb。）……08

Milk（half-tincondensed）……031/4

Oil，candles，blue，soap，salt，pepper，etc……10

Coal……16

Beer……noneTobacco……noneInsurance（’Prudential’）……03

Laborer’sUnion……01

Wood，tools，dispensary，etc……06

Insurance（’Foresters’）andmarginforclothes……113/4

Total……13s。0d。

TheguardiansoftheworkhouseintheaboveUnionpridethemselvesontheirrigideconomy。Itcostsperpauperperweek：

s。d。

Men……611/2

Women……561/2

Children……511/4

Ifthelaborerwhosebudgethasbeendescribed，shouldquithistoilandgointotheworkhouse，hewouldcosttheguardiansfors。d。

Himself……611/2

Wife……561/2

Twochildren……1021/2

Total……21s。101/2d。

Or，roughly，$5。46

Itwouldrequire$5。46fortheworkhousetocareforhimandhisfamily，whichhe，somehow，managestodoon$3。25。Andinaddition，itisanunderstoodfactthatitischeapertocaterforalargenumberofpeople-buying，cooking，andservingwholesale-thanitistocaterforasmallnumberofpeople，sayafamily。

Nevertheless，atthetimethisbudgetwascompiled，therewasinthatparishanotherfamily，notoffour，butelevenpersons，whohadtoliveonanincome，notofthirteenshillings，butoftwelveshillingsperweek（elevenshillingsinwinter），andwhichhad，notarent-freecottage，butacottageforwhichitpaidthreeshillingsperweek。

Thismustbeunderstood，andunderstoodclearly：WhateveristrueofLondoninthewayofpovertyanddegradation，istrueofallEngland。WhileParisisnotbyanymeansFrance，thecityofLondonisEngland。ThefrightfulconditionswhichmarkLondonaninfernolikewisemarktheUnitedKingdomaninferno。TheargumentthatthedecentralizationofLondonwouldameliorateconditionsisavainthingandfalse。Ifthe6，000，000peopleofLondonwereseparatedintoonehundredcitieseachwithapopulationof60，000，miserywouldbedecentralizedbutnotdiminished。Thesumofitwouldremainaslarge。

Inthisinstance，Mr。B。S。Rowntree，byanexhaustiveanalysis，hasprovedforthecountrytownwhatMr。CharlesBoothhasprovedforthemetropolis，thatfullyone-fourthofthedwellersarecondemnedtoapovertywhichdestroysthemphysicallyandspiritually；thatfullyone-fourthofthedwellersdonothaveenoughtoeat，areinadequatelyclothed，sheltered，andwarmedinarigorousclimate，andaredoomedtoamoraldegeneracywhichputsthemlowerthanthesavageincleanlinessanddecency。

AfterlisteningtothewailofanoldIrishpeasantinKerry，RobertBlatchfordaskedhimwhathewanted。’Theoldmanleaneduponhisspadeandlookedoutacrosstheblackpeatfieldsattheloweringskies。"WhatisitthatI’mwantun？"hesaid；theninadeepplaintivetonehecontinued，moretohimselfthantome，"Allourbravebhoysanddeargurrlsisawayan’overthesays，an’theagenthastakenthepigoffme，an’thewethasspiledthepraties，an’I’manowldman，an’IwanttheDayavjudgment。"’

TheDayofJudgment！Morethanhewantit。Fromallthelandrisesthehungerwail，fromGhettoandcountryside，fromprisonandcasualward，fromasylumandworkhouse-thecryofthepeoplewhohavenotenoughtoeat。Millionsofpeople，men，women，children，littlebabes，theblind，thedeaf，thehalt，thesick，vagabondsandtoilers，prisonersandpaupers，thepeopleofIreland，England，Scotland，Wales，whohavenotenoughtoeat。Andthis，infaceofthefactthatfivemencanproducebreadforathousand；thatoneworkmancanproducecottonclothfor250people，woollensfor300，andbootsandshoesfor1000。Itwouldseemthat40，000，000peoplearekeepingabighouse，andthattheyarekeepingitbadly。Theincomeisallright，butthereissomethingcriminallywrongwiththemanagement。Andwhodarestosaythatitisnotcriminallymismanaged，thisbighouse，whenfivemencanproducebreadforathousand，andyetmillionshavenotenoughtoeat？

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX。

Drink，Temperance，andThrift。

Sometimesthepoorarepraisedforbeingthrifty。

Buttorecommendthrifttothepoorisbothgrotesqueandinsulting。Itislikeadvisingamanwhoisstarvingtoeatless。Foratownorcountrylaborertopracticethriftwouldbeabsolutelyimmoral。Manshouldnotbereadytoshowthathecanlivelikeabadly-fedanimal-

OSCARWILDE。

THEENGLISHWORKINGCLASSESmaybesaidtobesoakedinbeer。Theyaremadedullandsoddenbyit。Theirefficiencyissadlyimpaired，andtheylosewhateverimagination，invention，andquicknessmaybetheirsbyrightofrace。Itmayhardlybecalledanacquiredhabit，fortheyareaccustomedtoitfromtheirearliestinfancy。Childrenarebegottenindrunkenness，saturatedindrinkbeforetheydrawtheirfirstbreath，borntothesmellandtasteofit，andbroughtupinthemidstofit。

Thepublichouseisubiquitous。Itflourishesoneverycornerandbetweencorners，anditisfrequentedalmostasmuchbywomenasbymen。Childrenaretobefoundinitaswell，waitingtilltheirfathersandmothersarereadytogohome，sippingfromtheglassesoftheirelders，listeningtothecoarselanguageanddegradingconversation，catchingthecontagionofit，familiarizingthemselveswithlicentiousnessanddebauchery。

Mrs。Grundyrulesassupremelyovertheworkersasshedoesoverthebourgeoisie；butinthecaseoftheworkers，theonethingshedoesnotfrownuponisthepublichouse。Nodisgraceorshameattachestoit，nortotheyoungwomanorgirlwhomakesapracticeofenteringit。

Irememberagirlinacoffee-housesaying，’Ineverdrinkspiritswheninapublic’ouse。’Shewasayoungandprettywaitress，andshewaslayingdowntoanotherwaitressherpreeminentrespectabilityanddiscretion。Mrs。Grundydrewthelineatspirits，butallowedthatitwasquiteproperforacleanyounggirltodrinkbeerandtogointoapublichousetodrinkit。

Notonlyisthisbeerunfitforthepeopletodrinkit，buttoooftenthemenandwomenareunfittodrinkit。Ontheotherhand，itistheirveryunfitnessthatdrivesthemtodrinkit。Ill-fed，sufferingfrominnutritionandtheevileffectsofovercrowdingandsqualor，theirconstitutionsdevelopamorbidcravingforthedrink，justasthesicklystomachoftheover-strungManchesterfactoryoperativehankersafterexcessivequantitiesofpicklesandsimilarweirdfoods。Unhealthyworkingandlivingengendersunhealthyappetitesanddesires。Mancannotbeworkedworsethanahorseisworked，andbehousedandfedasapigishousedandfed，andatthesametimehavecleanandwholesomeidealsandaspirations。

Ashome-lifevanishes，thepublichouseappears。Notonlydomenandwomenabnormallycravedrink，whoareoverworked，exhausted，sufferingfromderangedstomachsandbadsanitation，anddeadenedbytheuglinessandmonotonyofexistence；butthegregariousmenandwomenwhohavenohome-lifefleetothebrightandclatteringpublichouseinavainattempttoexpresstheirgregariousness。Andwhenafamilyishousedinonesmallroom，home-lifeisimpossible。

Abriefexaminationofsuchadwellingwillservetobringtolightoneimportantcauseofdrunkenness。Herethefamilyarisesinthemorning，dresses，andmakesitstoilet，father，mother，sons，anddaughters，andinthesameroom，shouldertoshoulder（fortheroomissmall），thewifeandmothercooksthebreakfast。Andinthesameroom，heavyandsickeningwiththeexhalationsoftheirpackedbodiesthroughoutthenight，thatbreakfastiseaten。Thefathergoestowork，theelderchildrengotoschoolorontothestreet，andthemotherremainswithhercrawling，toddlingyoungsterstodoherhousework-stillinthesameroom。Hereshewashestheclothes，fillingthepentspacewithsoapsudsandthesmellofdirtyclothes，andoverheadshehangsthewetlinentodry。

Here，intheevening，amidthemanifoldsmellsoftheday，thefamilygoestoitsvirtuouscouch。Thatistosay，asmanyaspossiblepileintotheonebed（ifbedtheyhave），andthesurplusturnsinonthefloor。Andthisistheroundoftheirexistence，monthaftermonth，yearafteryear，fortheynevergetavacationsavewhentheyareevicted。Whenachilddies，andsomearealwaysboundtodiesincefifty-fivepercentoftheEastEndchildrendiebeforetheyarefiveyearsold，thebodyislaidoutinthesameroom。Andiftheyareverypoor，itiskeptforsometimeuntiltheycanburyit。Duringthedayitliesonthebed；duringthenight，whenthelivingtakethebed，thedeadoccupiesthetable，fromwhich，inthemorning，whenthedeadisputbackintothebed，theyeattheirbreakfast。Sometimesthebodyisplacedontheshelfwhichservesaspantryfortheirfood。

Onlyacoupleofweeksago，anEastEndwomanwasintrouble，because，inthisfashion，beingunabletoburyit，shehadkeptherdeadchildthreeweeks。

NowsucharoomasIhavedescribed，isnothomebuthorror；andthemenandwomenwhofleeawayfromittothepublichousearetobepitied，notblamed。Thereare300，000peopleinLondon，dividedintofamiliesthatliveinsinglerooms，whilethereare900，000whoareillegallyhousedaccordingtothePublicHealthActof1891-arespectablerecruitinggroundforthedrinktraffic。

Thentherearetheinsecurityofhappiness，theprecariousnessofexistence，thewell-foundedfearofthefuture-potentfactorsindrivingpeopletodrink。Wretchednesssquirmsforalleviation，andinthepublichouseitspainiseasedandforgetfulnessisobtained。

Itisunhealthy。Certainlyitis，buteverythingelseabouttheirlivesisunhealthy，whilethisbringstheoblivionthatnothingelseintheirlivescanbring。Itevenexaltsthem，andmakesthemfeelthattheyarefinerandbetter，thoughatthesametimeitdragsthemdownandmakesthemmorebeastlythanever。Fortheunfortunatemanorwoman，itisaracebetweenmiseriesthatendswithdeath。

Itisofnoavailtopreachtemperanceandteetotalismtothesepeople。Thedrinkhabitmaybethecauseofmanymiseries；butitis，inturn，theeffectofotherandpriormiseries。Thetemperanceadvocatesmaypreachtheirheartsoutovertheevilsofdrink，butuntiltheevilsthatcausepeopletodrinkareabolished，drinkanditsevilswillremain。

Untilthepeoplewhotrytohelp，realizethis，theirwell-intentionedeffortswillbefutile，andtheywillpresentaspectaclefitonlytosetOlympuslaughing。IhavegonethroughanexhibitionofJapaneseart，gotupforthepoorofWhitechapelwiththeideaofelevatingthem，ofbegettinginthemyearningsfortheBeautifulandTrueandGood。Granting（whatisnotso）thatthepoorfolkarethustaughttoknowandyearnaftertheBeautifulandTrueandGood，thefoulfactsoftheirexistenceandthesociallawthatdoomsoneinthreetoapublic-charitydeath，demonstratesthatthisknowledgeandyearningwillbeonlysomuchofanaddedcursetothem。

Theywillhavesomuchmoretoforgetthaniftheyhadneverknownandyearned。DidDestinyto-daybindmedowntothelifeofanEastEndslavefortherestofmyyears，anddidDestinygrantmebutonewish，IshouldaskthatImightforgetallabouttheBeautifulandTrueandGood；thatImightforgetallIhadlearnedfromtheopenbooks，andforgetthepeopleIhadknown，thethingsIhadheard，andthelandsIhadseen。AndifDestinydidn’tgrantit，IamprettyconfidentthatIshouldgetdrunkandforgetitasofaspossible。

Thesepeoplewhotrytohelp！Theircollegesettlements，missions，charities，andwhatnot，arefailures。Inthenatureofthingstheycannotbutbefailures。Theyarewrongly，thoughsincerely，conceived。

Theyapproachlifethroughamisunderstandingoflife，thesegoodfolk。TheydonotunderstandtheWestEnd，yettheycomedowntotheEastEndasteachersandsavants。TheydonotunderstandthesimplesociologyofChrist，yettheycometothemiserableandthedespisedwiththepompofsocialredeemers。Theyhaveworkedfaithfully，butbeyondrelievinganinfinitesimalfractionofmiseryandcollectingacertainamountofdatawhichmightotherwisehavebeenmorescientificallyandlessexpensivelycollected，theyhaveachievednothing。

Assomeonehassaid，theydoeverythingforthepoorexceptgetofftheirbacks。Theverymoneytheydribbleoutintheirchild’sschemeshasbeenwrungfromthepoor。Theycomefromaraceofsuccessfulandpredatorybipedswhostandbetweentheworkerandhiswages，andtheytrytotelltheworkerwhatheshalldowiththepitifulbalancelefttohim。Ofwhatuse，inthenameofGod，isittoestablishnurseriesforwomenworkers，inwhich，forinstance，achildistakenwhilethemothermakesvioletsinIslingtonatthreefarthingsagross，whenmorechildrenandviolet-makersthantheycancopewitharebeingbornrightalong？Thisviolet-makerhandleseachflowerfourtimes，576handlingsforthreefarthings，andinthedayshehandlestheflowers6912timesforawageofeighteencents。Sheisbeingrobbed。Somebodyisonherback，andayearningfortheBeautifulandTrueandGoodwillnotlightenherburden。

Theydonothingforher，thesedabblers；andwhattheydonotdoforthemother，undoesatnight，whenthechildcomeshome，allthattheyhavedoneforthechildintheday。

Andoneandall，theyjoininteachingafundamentallie。Theydonotknowitisalie，buttheirignorancedoesnotmakeitmoreofatruth。Andthelietheypreachis’thrift。’Aninstancewilldemonstrateit。InovercrowdedLondon，thestruggleforachancetoworkiskeen，andbecauseofthisstrugglewagessinktothelowestmeansofsubsistence。Tobethriftymeansforaworkertospendlessthanhisincome-inotherwords，toliveonless。Thisisequivalenttoaloweringofthestandardofliving。Inthecompetitionforachancetowork，themanwithalowerstandardoflivingwillunderbidthemanwithahigherstandard。Andasmallgroupofsuchthriftyworkersinanyovercrowdedindustrywillpermanentlylowerthewagesofthatindustry。Andthethriftyoneswillnolongerbethrifty，fortheirincomewillhavebeenreducedtillitbalancestheirexpenditure。

Inshort，thriftnegatesthrift。IfeveryworkerinEnglandshouldheedthepreachersofthriftandcutexpenditureinhalf，theconditionoftherebeingmorementoworkthanthereisworktodowouldswiftlycutwagesinhalf。AndthennoneoftheworkersofEnglandwouldbethrifty，fortheywouldbelivinguptotheirdiminishedincomes。Theshort-sightedthrift-preacherswouldnaturallybeastoundedattheoutcome。Themeasureoftheirfailurewouldbepreciselythemeasureofthesuccessoftheirpropaganda。And，anyway，itissheerboshandnonsensetopreachthrifttothe1，800，000Londonworkerswhoaredividedintofamilieswhichhaveatotalincomeoflessthan$5。25perweek，one-quartertoone-halfofwhichmustbepaidforrent。

Concerningthefutilityofthepeoplewhotrytohelp，Iwishtomakeonenotable，nobleexception，namely，theDr。BarnardoHomes。Dr。

Barnardoisachild-catcher。First，hecatchesthemwhentheyareyoung，beforetheyareset，hardened，inthevicioussocialmould；andthenhesendsthemawaytogrowupandbeformedinanotherandbettersocialmould。Uptodatehehassentoutofthecountry13，340boys，mostofthemtoCanada，andnotoneinfiftyhasfailed。Asplendidrecord，whenitisconsideredthattheseladsarewaifsandstrays，homelessandparentless，jerkedoutfromtheverybottomoftheAbyss，andforty-nineoutoffiftyofthemmadeintomen。

Everytwenty-fourhoursintheyearDr。Barnardosnatchesninewaifsfromthestreets；sotheenormousfieldhehastoworkinmaybecomprehended。Thepeoplewhotrytohelphavesomethingtolearnfromhim。Hedoesnotplaywithpalliatives。Hetracessocialviciousnessandmiserytotheirsources。Heremovestheprogenyofthegutter-folkfromtheirpestilentialenvironment，andgivesthemahealthy，wholesomeenvironmentinwhichtobepressedandproddedandmouldedintomen。

WhenthepeoplewhotrytohelpceasetheirplayinganddabblingwithdaynurseriesandJapaneseartexhibits，andgobackandlearntheirWestEndandthesociologyofChrist，theywillbeinbettershapetobuckledowntotheworktheyoughttobedoingintheworld。Andiftheydobuckledowntothework，theywillfollowDr。

Barnardo’slead，onlyonascaleaslargeasthenationislarge。Theywon’tcramyearningsfortheBeautifulandTrueandGooddownthethroatofthewomanmakingvioletsforthreefarthingsagross，buttheywillmakesomebodygetoffherback。andquitcramminghimselftill，liketheRomans，hemustgotoabathandsweatitout。Andtotheirconsternation，theywillfindthattheywillhavetogetoffthatwoman’sbackthemselves，aswellasthebacksofafewotherwomenandchildrentheydidnotdreamtheywereridingupon。

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN。

TheManagement。

Sevenmenworkingsixteenhourscouldproducefoodbybestimprovedmachinerytosupportonethousandmen-

EDWARDATKINSON。

INTHISFINALCHAPTERITwerewelltolookattheSocialAbyssinitswidestaspect，andtoputcertainquestionstoCivilization，bytheanswerstowhichCivilizationmuststandorfall。Forinstance，hasCivilizationbetteredthelotofman？’Man’Iuseinitsdemocraticsense，meaningtheaverageman。Sothequestionreshapesitself：HasCivilizationbetteredthelotoftheaverageman？

Letussee。InAlaska，alongthebanksoftheYukonRiver，nearitsmouth，livetheInnuitfolk。Theyareaveryprimitivepeople，manifestingbutmereglimmeringadumbrationsofthattremendousartifice，Civilization。Theircapitalamountspossiblyto$10perhead。Theyhuntandfishfortheirfoodwithbone-headedspearsandarrows。Theyneversufferfromlackofshelter。Theirclothes，largelymadefromtheskinsofanimals，arewarm。Theyalwayshavefuelfortheirfires，likewisetimberfortheirhouses，whichtheybuildpartlyunderground，andinwhichtheyliesnuglyduringtheperiodsofintensecold。Inthesummertheyliveintents，opentoeverybreezeandcool。Theyarehealthy，andstrong，andhappy。Theironeproblemisfood。Theyhavetheirtimesofplentyandtimesoffamine。Ingoodtimestheyfeast；inbadtimestheydieofstarvation。Butstarvation，asachroniccondition，presentwithalargenumberofthemallthetime，isathingunknown。Further，theyhavenodebts。

IntheUnitedKingdom，ontherimoftheWesternOcean，livetheEnglishfolk。Theyareaconsummatelycivilizedpeople。Theircapitalamountstoatleast$1500perhead。Theygaintheirfood，notbyhuntingandfishing，butbytoilatcolossalartifices。Forthemostpart，theysufferfromlackofshelter。Thegreaternumberofthemarevilelyhoused，donothaveenoughfueltokeepthemwarm，andareinsufficientlyclothed。Aconstantnumberneverhaveanyhousesatall，andsleepshelterlessunderthestars。Manyaretobefound，winterandsummer，shiveringonthestreetsintheirrags。Theyhavegoodtimesandbad。Ingoodtimesmostofthemmanagetogetenoughtoeat，inbadtimestheydieofstarvation。Theyaredyingnow，theyweredyingyesterdayandlastyear，theywilldieto-morrowandnextyear，ofstarvation；forthey，unliketheInnuit，sufferfromachronicconditionofstarvation。Thereare40，000，000oftheEnglishfolk，and939outofevery1000ofthemdieinpoverty，whileaconstantarmyof8，000，000strugglesontheraggededgeofstarvation。

Further，eachbabethatisborn，isbornindebttothesumof$110。

ThisisbecauseofanartificecalledtheNationalDebt。

InafaircomparisonoftheaverageInnuitandtheaverageEnglishman，itwillbeseenthatlifeislessrigorousfortheInnuit；

thatwhiletheInnuitsuffersonlyduringbadtimesfromstarvation，theEnglishmansuffersduringgoodtimesaswell；thatnoInnuitlacksfuel，clothing，orhousing，whiletheEnglishmanisinperpetuallackofthesethreeessentials。InthisconnectionitiswelltoinstancethejudgmentofamansuchasHuxley。FromtheknowledgegainedasamedicalofficerintheEastEndofLondon，andasascientistpursuinginvestigationsamongthemostelementalsavages，heconcludes，’WerethealternativepresentedtomeIwoulddeliberatelypreferthelifeofthesavagetothatofthosepeopleofChristianLondon。’

Thecreaturecomfortsmanenjoysaretheproductsofman’slabor。

SinceCivilizationhasfailedtogivetheaverageEnglishmanfoodandshelterequaltothatenjoyedbytheInnuit，thequestionarises：HasCivilizationincreasedtheproducingpoweroftheaverageman？Ifithasnotincreasedman’sproducingpower，thenCivilizationcannotstand。

But，itwillbeinstantlyadmitted，Civilizationhasincreasedman’sproducingpower。Fivemencanproducebreadforathousand。Onemancanproducecottonclothfor250people，woollensfor300，andbootsandshoesfor1000。YetithasbeenshownthroughoutthepagesofthisbookthatEnglishfolkbythemillionsdonotreceiveenoughfood，clothes，andboots。Thenarisesthethirdandinexorablequestion：

IfCivilizationhasincreasedtheproducingpoweroftheaverageman，whyhasitnotbetteredthelotoftheaverageman？

Therecanbeoneansweronly-MISMANAGEMENT。Civilizationhasmadepossibleallmannerofcreaturecomfortsandheart’sdelights。InthesetheaverageEnglishmandoesnotparticipate。Ifheshallbeforeverunabletoparticipate，thenCivilizationfalls。Thereisnoreasonforthecontinuedexistenceofanartificesoavowedafailure。

Butitisimpossiblethatmenshouldhaverearedthistremendousartificeinvain。Itstunstheintellect。Toacknowledgesocrushingadefeatistogivethedeath-blowtostrivingandprogress。

Oneotheralternative，andoneotheronly，presentsitself。

Civilizationmustbecompelledtobetterthelotoftheaverageman。

Thisaccepted，itbecomesatonceaquestionofbusinessmanagement。

Thingsprofitablemustbecontinued；thingsunprofitablemustbeeliminated。EithertheEmpireisaprofittoEnglandoritisaloss。Ifitisaloss，itmustbedoneawaywith。Ifitisaprofit，itmustbemanagedsothattheaveragemancomesinforashareoftheprofit。

Ifthestruggleforcommercialsupremacyisprofitable，continueit。

Ifitisnot，ifithurtstheworkerandmakeshislotworsethanthelotofasavage，thenflingforeignmarketsandindustrialempireoverboard。Foritisapatentfactthatif40，000，000people，aidedbyCivilization，possessagreaterindividualproducingpowerthantheInnuit，thenthose40，000，000peopleshouldenjoymorecreaturecomfortsandheart’sdelightsthantheInnuitsenjoy。

Ifthe400，000Englishgentlemen，’ofnooccupation，’accordingtotheirownstatementintheCensusof1881，areunprofitable，doawaywiththem。Setthemtoworkploughinggamepreservesandplantingpotatoes。Iftheyareprofitable，continuethembyallmeans，butletitbeseentothattheaverageEnglishmansharessomewhatintheprofitstheyproducebyworkingatnooccupation。

Inshort，societymustbereorganized，andacapablemanagementputatthehead。Thatthepresentmanagementisincapable，therecanbenodiscussion。IthasdrainedtheUnitedKingdomofitslife-blood。

Ithasenfeebledthestay-at-homefolktilltheyareunablelongertostruggleinthevanofthecompetingnations。IthasbuiltupaWestEndandanEastEndaslargeastheKingdomislarge，inwhichoneendisriotousandrotten，theotherendsicklyandunderfed。

Avastempireisfounderingonthehandsofthisincapablemanagement。AndbyempireismeantthepoliticalmachinerywhichholdstogethertheEnglish-speakingpeopleoftheworldoutsideoftheUnitedStates。Noristhischargedinapessimisticspirit。Bloodempireisgreaterthanpoliticalempire，andtheEnglishoftheNewWorldandtheAntipodesarestrongandvigorousasever。Butthepoliticalempireunderwhichtheyarenominallyassembledisperishing。ThepoliticalmachineknownastheBritishEmpireisrunningdown。Inthehandsofitsmanagementitislosingmomentumeveryday。

Itisinevitablethatthismanagement，whichhasgrosslyandcriminallymismanaged，shallbesweptaway。Notonlyhasitbeenwastefulandinefficient，butithasmisappropriatedthefunds。

Everyworn-out，pasty-facedpauper，everyblindman，everyprisonbabe，everyman，woman，andchildwhosebellyisgnawingwithhungerpangs，ishungrybecausethefundshavebeenmisappropriatedbythemanagement。

NorcanonememberofthismanagingclasspleadnotguiltybeforethejudgmentbarofMan。’Thelivingintheirhouses，andintheirgravesthedead，’arechallengedbyeverybabethatdiesofinnutrition，byeverygirlthatfleesthesweater’sdentothenightlypromenadeofPiccadilly，byeveryworked-outtoilerthatplungesintothecanal。Thefoodthismanagingclasseats，thewineitdrinks，theshowitmakes，andthefineclothesitwears，arechallengedbyeightmillionmouthswhichhaveneverhadenoughtofillthem，andbytwiceeightmillionbodieswhichhaveneverbeensufficientlyclothedandhoused。

Therecanbenomistake。Civilizationhasincreasedman’sproducingpoweranhundredfold，andthroughmismanagementthemenofCivilizationliveworsethanthebeasts，andhavelesstoeatandwearandprotectthemfromtheelementsthanthesavageInnuitinafrigidclimatewholivestodayashelivedinthestoneagetenthousandyearsago。

THEEND



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