Part 106 (2/2)
”Matter enough, your honour,” bawled an athletic Irishman in the habit of a sailor; ”by the powers, here's Peg Pimpleface, the costermonger's great grand-daughter, at sea without a rudder or compa.s.s, upset in a squall, and run b.u.mp ash.o.r.e; and may I be chained to the toplights if I think either crew or cargo can be saved.”
It appeared that Peg Pimpleface had been round Poplar, Limehouse, and their vicinities, to sell her cargo of greens, potatoes, and other vegetables; and having met with tolerable success, she had refreshed herself a little too freely with the juniper, and driving her donkey-cart towards Whitechapel, with a short pipe in her mouth, had dropped from her seat among the remains of her herbage, leaving her donkey to the uncontrolled selection of his way home. A Blackwall stage, on the way to its place of destination, had, by a sudden jerk against one of the wheels of Peg's crazy vehicle, separated the shafts from the body of the cart, and the donkey being thus unexpectedly disengaged from his load, made the best of his bargain, by starting at full speed with the shafts at his heels, while the cart, by the violence of the concussion, lay in the road completely topsy turvey; consequently Tom looked in vain for the fair sufferer who lay under it.
”Poor Peg,” continued the Irishman, ”by the powers, if her nose comes too near the powder magazine, the whole concarn will blow up; and as I don't think she is insured, I'll be after lending her a helping hand; ”and with this, setting his shoulders to the shattered machine, at one effort he restored it to its proper position, and made a discovery of Peg Pimpleface, with her ruby features close to a bunch of turnips, the whiteness of which served to heighten in no small degree their effect: the fall, however, had not left her in the most delicate situation for public inspection; the latter part of her person presenting itself bare, save and except that a bunch of carrots appeared to have sympathized in her misfortune, and ~~388~~~ kindly overshadowed her brawny posteriors.
As she lay perfectly motionless, it was at first conjectured that poor Peg was no longer a living inhabitant of this world: it was, however, soon ascertained that this was not the fact, for the Hibernian, after removing the vegetables, and adjusting her clothes, took her up in his arms, and carried her with true Irish hospitality to a neighbouring public-house, where seating her, she opened her eyes, which being black, shone like two stars over the red protuberance of her face.
”By J------s,” says Pat, ”Peg's a brilliant of the first water; give her a gla.s.s of max, and she'll be herself in two minutes:” at the sound of this, animation was almost instantaneously restored, and Tom and his friends having ascertained that she had sustained no bodily harm, gave the generous Irishman a reward for his attentions, jumped into the carriage, and proceeded on their journey.
They were not long on their journey to Black wall; where having arrived, the first object of attention was the East India Docks, to which they were introduced by Mr. M. an acquaintance of Dashall's.
”These Docks,” said Tom to his Cousin, ”are a n.o.ble series of works, well worthy of the Company which produced them, though they generally excite less interest than the West India Docks, which are not far distant, and of which we shall also have a sight.”
”It should be remembered,” observed Mr. M. ”that these docks are solely appropriated to the safe riding of East Indiamen. The import dock is 1410 feet long, 560 wide, and 30 feet deep, covering an area of 18 acres and a half. The export dock is 780 feet long, 520 feet wide, and 30 feet deep, covering nine acres and a half, with good wharf, and warehouse room for loading and unloading.”
”Pray,” said Bob, ”what are those immense caravans, do they belong to the shew-folk, the collectors of wild beasts and curiosities for exhibition at the fair? or------”
”They are vehicles of considerable utility, Sir,” replied Mr. M.; ”for by means of those covered waggons, all the goods and merchandize of the East India Company are conveyed to and from their warehouses in town, under lock and key, so as to prevent fraud and smuggling. They are very capacious, and although they have a heavy and c.u.mbrous appearance, they move along the road ~~389~~~ with more celerity than may be imagined; and the high wall with which the docks are surrounded, prevents the possibility of any serious peculation being carried on within them. The Company are paid by a tonnage duty, which they charge to the owners.
Coopers, carpenters, and blacksmiths, are continually employed in repairing the packages of goods, landing, and snipping; and a numerous party of labourers are at all times engaged in conveying the merchandize to and from the s.h.i.+pping, by which means hundreds of families are provided for. The Company is established by Act of Parliament, and for the convenience of the merchants they have an office for the transaction of business in town.”
”It is a very extensive concern,” said Tallyho, ”and is doubtless of very great utility.”
Having satisfied themselves by looking over these extensive works, Mr.
M. informed them, that adjoining the Docks was a s.h.i.+p-building yard, formerly well known as Perry's Yard, but now the property of Sir Robert Wigram. ”Probably you would like to take a view round it.”
To this having replied in the affirmative, they were quickly introduced.
”Sir Robert,” said Mr. M. ”has been, and I believe still is, a considerable managing owner of East India s.h.i.+pping, whose fortune appears to have advanced as his family increased, and perhaps few men have deserved better success; he was born at Wexford, in Ireland, in the year 1744, and was brought up under his father to the profession of a surgeon: he left Ireland early in life, to pursue his studies in England, and afterwards obtained an appointment as surgeon of an East Indiaman, and remained some years in the service: he married Miss Broadhurst, the youngest daughter of Francis Broadhurst, of Mansfield, in Nottinghams.h.i.+re, an eminent tanner and maltster; soon after which he commenced his career as owner of East India s.h.i.+pping. The General G.o.ddard, commanded by William Taylor Money, Esq. sailed under his management, and was fortunate enough during the voyage to capture eight Dutch East Indiamen, of considerable value, off St. Helena; since which he has been one of the most eminent s.h.i.+p-owners in the City of London.”
~~390~~~ ”A proof,” said Sparkle, ”of the advantages to be derived from perseverance, and the active exercise of an intelligent mind.”
”His first wife,” continued the informant, ”died in the year 1786, leaving him five children; and in the following year he married Miss Eleanor Watts, daughter of John Watts, Esq. of Southampton, many years Secretary to the Victualling Office, who is the present Lady Wigram, the benevolence of whose heart, and gentleness of manners, have not only endeared her to her husband, but gained her the esteem and regard of all who know her, and by this lady he has had seventeen children.”
”Zounds!” said Bob, ”a man ought to have a mine of wealth to support such a numerous progeny.”
”They are, however, all of them well provided for; and Sir Robert has the happiness, at an advanced age, to find himself the father of a happy family; he rejoices once a year to have them all seated at his own table; and has in many instances surprised his friends by an introduction. It is related, that a gentleman from the Isle of Wight met him near the Exchange, and after mutual salutations were pa.s.sed, he invited the gentleman to dine with him, by whom an excuse was offered, as he was not equipped for appearing at his table. 'Nonsense,' said Sir Robert, 'you must dine with me; and I can a.s.sure you there will be only my own family present, so come along.' Guess the surprise of his visitor, on being introduced to a large party of ladies and gentlemen.
He was confused and embarra.s.sed. He begged pardon, and would have retired, declaring that Sir Robert had informed him that none but his own family were to be present. This Sir R. affirmed he had strictly adhered to, and introduced his friend to his sons and daughters by name, which it may fairly be presumed, though it explained, did not exactly tend to decrease his visitor's embarra.s.sment.”
”And these premises,” inquired Bob, ”belong to the man you have described?”
”The same,” said Mr. M.; ”they are managed and conducted under the superintendence of two of his sons. Here, East India s.h.i.+ps are built, launched, and repaired: there are two on the stocks now of considerable magnitude; the premises are extensive and commodious, and that high building which you see is a mast-house, and the other buildings about the yard are devoted to sail lofts, and shops for the various artizans, requisite to complete the ~~391~~~ grand design of building and fitting out a s.h.i.+p for sea. From this yard you have a fine view over the marshes towards Woolwich, and also a commanding prospect of Greenwich Hospital.
The various vessels and boats pa.s.sing and repa.s.sing at all times, give variety to the scene before you; and when a launch takes place, the whole neighbourhood represents something of the nature of a carnival; the river is covered with boats filled with company, and every part of the sh.o.r.e near the spot from which the magnificent piece of mechanism is to burst upon its native element, is equally occupied; temporary booths are erected upon each side of what is termed the cradle, for the accommodation of invited visitors; bands play as she moves, and a bottle of wine is thrown at her head as she glides from the stocks, when her name is p.r.o.nounced amidst the universal shouts of huzza.”
”It must be a most gratifying sight,” observed Bob, ”to see her cleave the watery world; indeed it is a very pleasing view we have already had of these floating castles, though I must also remark, that your descriptions have added greatly to the enjoyment, and I think we are much indebted for your kindness.”
They now parted with Mr. M.; and after refres.h.i.+ng with a gla.s.s of wine and a sandwich at the Plough, they proceeded to the West India Docks, the entrance to which required no introduction. ”Here,” said Dashall, ”you will find a much longer s.p.a.ce occupied than at the East India Docks. These were undertaken according to an Act of Parliament pa.s.sed in 1799, and the place was formerly called the Isle of Dogs, though it might almost as appropriately have been called the Isle of Boys. Upon the wharfs and quays adjoining, all West India s.h.i.+ps unload and load their cargoes.”
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