Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II.
gourmand, moreover a musician, has a hand in the leading Reviews, a
share m the most prominent of the daily papers; is president of several
learned institutions, over the threshold of which he has never passed,
and an honorary member of others which have long been defunct: he
appeared to be absorbed in contemplation, and taking but little notice
of the gaieties by which he was surrounded. My friend informed me he was
just then endeavouring to bring before Parliament his _coup de maître_,
which was a process for extracting a nourishing diet for the poor from
oyster shells.”
~~387~~~ “What the devil is the matter?” exclaimed Dashall, thrusting
his head out of the carriage window upon hearing a sudden crash.
“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 compass, upset in a
squall, and run bump ashore; 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 glass 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 noble 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 cumbrous 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 shipping, 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 ship-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 Shipping, 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 Nottinghamshire, an eminent tanner and maltster; soon after which
he commenced his career as owner of East India Shipping. The General
Goddard, 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 ship-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 passed, 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 assure 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 embarrassed. 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 embarrassment.”
“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 ships 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 ship 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 passing and repassing 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 shore 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 pronounced 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 refreshing with a glass 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 space occupied than at the East India
Docks. These were undertaken according to an Act of Parliament passed
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 ships unload and load
their cargoes.”
“And exclusively, I suppose,” interrogated Tallyho, “for the
accommodation of West India Shipping?”
“Exactly so,” continued Tom; “the West India Trade generally arrives in
fleets, and formerly used to create much crowding, confusion, and damage
in the river; but these ships being now disposed of in the docks, the
overgrown trade of the port is carried on with pleasure and convenience;