Here beggary is a system, and beggars are
a numerous class, and make themselves, in a certain way, respected as
such. Nobody evinced the slightest disapprobation of the man's
proceedings. In America, I think, we should see many aristocratic airs
on such provocation, and probably the ferry people would there have
rudely thrust the beggar aside; giving him a shilling, however, which no
Englishman would ever think of doing. There would also have been a great
deal of fun made of his squalid and ragged figure; whereas nobody smiled
at him this morning, nor in any way showed the slightest disrespect.
This is good; but it is the result of a state of things by no means good.
For many days there has been a great deal of fog on the river, and the
boats have groped their way along, continually striking their bells,
while, on all sides, there are responses of bell and gong; and the
vessels at anchor look shadow-like as we glide past them, and the master
of one steamer shouts a warning to the master of another which he meets.
The Englishmen, who hate to run any risk without an equivalent object,
show a good deal of caution and timidity on these foggy days.
December 13th.--Chill, frosty weather; such an atmosphere as forebodes
snow in New England, and there has been a little here. Yet I saw a
barefooted young woman yesterday. The feet of these poor creatures have
exactly the red complexion of their hands, acquired by constant exposure
to the cold air.
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