Part 15 (2/2)
2 If an estimate of the wealth or poverty of the nation were to lie formed from the appearance of the houses in the Metropolis, no one could be induced to believe that the latter had any existence among us. The splendour and taste of our streets is indescribable, and the vast improvements in the West are equally indicative of the former.
The enormous increase of rents for Shops, particularly in the leading thoroughfares of London, may in a great measure be attributed to the Linen-drapers. The usual method practised by some of these gentry, is to take a shop in the first-rate situation, pull down the old front, and erect a new one, regardless of expense, a good outside being considered the first and indispensable requisite. This is often effected, either upon credit with a builder, or, if they have a capital of a few hundreds, it is all exhausted in external decorations. Goods are obtained upon credit, and customers procured by puffing advertis.e.m.e.nts, and exciting astonishment at the splendid appearance of the front. Thus the concern is generally carried on till the credit obtained has expired, and the wonder and novelty of the concern has evaporated; when the stock is _sold off at 30 per cent, under prime cost for the benefit of the creditors_! This is so common an occurrence, that it is scarcely possible to walk through London any day in the year, without being attracted by numerous Linen-drapers' shops, whose windows are decorated with bills, indicating that they are actually selling off under prime cost, as the premises must be cleared in a few days.
The most elegant Shop of this description in the Metropolis is supposed to be one not a hundred miles from Ludgate-hill, the front and fitting up of which alone is said to have cost several thousand pounds. The interior is nearly all of looking-gla.s.s, with gilt mouldings; even the ceiling is looking-gla.s.s, from which is appended splendid cut-gla.s.s chandeliers, which when lighted give to the whole the brilliance of enchantment; however it is not very easy to form an idea of what is sold, for, with the exception of a shawl or two carelessly thrown into the window, there is nothing to be seen, (the stock being all concealed in drawers, cupboards, &c. ) except the decorations and the Dandy Shopmen, who parade up and down in a state of ecstasy at the reflection of their own pretty persons from every part of the premises!
This concealment of the stock has occasioned some laughable occurrences. It is said that a gentleman from the country accidentally pa.s.sing, took it for a looking-gla.s.s manufactory, and went in to inquire the price of a gla.s.s.
The Shopmen gathered round him with evident surprise, a.s.sured him of his mistake, and directed him to go to Blades,{1} lower down the Hill. The Countryman was not disconcerted, but, after surveying them somewhat minutely, informed them it was gla.s.s he wanted, not cutlery; but as for blades, he thought there were enow there for one street, at least.
Another is said to have been so pleased with a row of grotesque Indian-China jars, which embellish one side of the entrance, and which he mistook for _pots de chambre_, that after returning home and consulting his rib, he sent an order per post for one of the most elegant pattern to be forwarded to him!
There is a similar Shop to this, though on a smaller scale, to be seen in a great leading thoroughfare at the West end of the Town; the owner of which, from his swarthy complexion and extravagant mode of dress, has been denominated The Black Prince, a name by which he is well known in his own neighbourhood, and among the gentlemen of the cloth. This dandy gentleman, who affects the dress and air of a military officer, has the egregious vanity to boast that the numerous families of rank and fas.h.i.+on who frequent his shop, are princ.i.p.ally attracted to view his elegant person, and seems to consider that upon this princ.i.p.ally depends the success of his trade.
1 A large Gla.s.s-manufacturer.
128--shop, and without observing the other persons about him, saw himself surrounded with spectators, unconscious of being in their company. He look'd up--he look'd down--he gazed around him, and all was inconceivable light. Tom's allusion to the gas flashed upon him in a moment--”What--what is this?” said he--”where, in the name of wonder, am I?” A flash of lightning could not have operated more suddenly upon him.
”Why,” said Sparkle, ”don't you see?
”You are not here, for you are there,”
pointing to his reflection, in the looking-gla.s.s.
”Egad,” said Bob, under evident surprise, and perhaps not without some apprehension they were playing tricks with him--”I wish you would explain--is this a Drawing-room, or is it the _Phantasmagoria_ we have heard so much of in the country?”
”No, no, it is not the Phantasmagoria, but it forms a part of metropolitan magic, which you shall be better acquainted with before we part. That is no other than a Linen-draper's shop, '_papered_,' as an Irishman one day remarked, 'vvid nothing at all at all but looking-gla.s.s, my dear '--one of the most superb things of the kind that perhaps ever was seen--But come, I perceive it is getting late, let us proceed directly to Dolly's, take our chop, then a _rattler_,{1} and hey for the Spell.”{2}
Bob appeared almost to be spell-bound at the moment, and, as they moved onward, could not help casting
”One longing, lingering look behind.”
1 Rattler--A coach.
2 Spell--The Play-house; so denominated from its variety of attractions, both before and behind the curtain.
CHAPTER X
”What various swains our motley walls contain!
Fas.h.i.+on from Moorfields, honour from Chick-lane; Bankers from Paper-buildings here resort, Bankrupts from Golden-square and Riches-court; From the Haymarket canting rogues in grain, Gulls from the Poultry, sots from Water-lane; The lottery cormorant, the auction shark, The full-price master, and the half-price clerk; Boys, who long linger at the gallery-door, With pence twice live, they want but twopence more, Till some Samaritan the twopence spares, And sends them jumping up the gallery-stairs.
Critics we boast, who ne'er their malice baulk, But talk their minds--we wish they'd mind their talk; Big-worded bullies, who by quarrels live, Who give the lie, and tell the lie they give; Jews from St. Mary-Axe, for jobs so wary, That for old clothes they'd even axe St. Mary; And Bucks with pockets empty as their pate, Lax in their gaiters, laxer in their gait.
Say, why these Babel strains from Babel tongues?
Who's that calls ”Silence” with such leathern lungs?
He, who, in quest of quiet, ”Silence” hoots, Is apt to make the hubbub he imputes.”
IN a few minutes they entered Dolly's, from whence, after partaking of a cheerful repast and an exhilarating gla.s.s of wine, a coach conveyed them to Drury-lane. ',
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