SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1928.
LONDON DERELICTS.
YOUTH AND AGE DESTITUTE AND HOMELESS.
FEEDING THE HUNGRY:
I returned home some months ago after a long stay in Northern Europe. In some ways I found a better London, notably in the im- proved condition of the children of the poor.
:
"This is my fourth night out," he told me.
.I
THE NAVY WAY.
CHATHAM TO TILBURY VIA LONDON.
THE CHINA MAIL,
WELSH LANGUAGE.
SACKING FOREIGN TEACHERS.
.A HANDICAP.
GEORGE MEREDITH. |Journalism for an income. Alger-
CELEBRATION OF HIS
ANNIVERSARY.
non Borthwick was delighted to have him as a contributor to the "Morning Poat," and from 1861' on- wards he wrote for its columns. The same year appeared "Evan Harrington,” a novel of social am-
got
11.
TOTAL
DRY FIRE EXTINGUISHER
NO PERIODIC REFILLING NO UPKEEP
COST
"Why don't you go to the Asy lums Board office, under the arches in Northumberland-avenue?"
UNRECOGNISED GENIUS, asked. "They would be sure to CIRCUMLOCUTION METHODS. give you a ticket for the Church
The last English teacher in The amazing example of cir.
George Meredith, who was born bitions in which he describes his Army Home in Great Peter-street.
the shears." Meredith also It's a ne placo. They start you cumlocution methods, as practised Cardiganshire elementary schoola on February 12, 1828, is one of the our aunta na "the daughters of off with n dish of the best soup in by the Admiralty, was provided has resigned, and in future, both in most striking instances of unre- the appointment at £200 a year as
Glamorganshire and Cardiganshire, cognised genius. During his early London. The Prince of Wales sald not long ago.
A draft of 100 naval men, no teacher who cannot toach Welsh career he often existed in London reader to Chapman and Hall, and that it was good when he tried it last year. They'll help you though. bound for South Africa, wore will be appointed. Every English on a single bowl of porridge a day. Incidentally lost the firm a lot of Lynne," "The Heavenly Twins,” Haven't the police been round and sent from Chatham to Tilbury man will sympathise with and ap- For these early deprivations he money, for he rejected "East perfervid patriotism paid the penalty, in after years, of "Some Emotiona and a Moral" an hour's trip across the Thames plaud the Ticket!" he muttered stupidly.vin London, thereby spending which such an action betoki is, even chronic indigestion and other bodi-Butler's "Erewhon," "The Adven- Verdant Green," and Recognition, except by the few, Bernard Shaw's "Immaturity," be- (Hunger and lack of sleep do make many weary hours in travelling. if he disagrees with the drastic ly is.
In the course of their miracul-method adopted to popularise by you stupid.) "What ticket? What
compulsion a language that, In spite was deferred for 30 years. The aides novels by Baring Gould and
Post," three of a not-insignificant past, has many "Morning are you talking about? You're the ous tour the Admiralty---
Lord Mrs. Lynn Linton. However, ho times shown signs of collapse. Na-Glenesk, then Algernon Borthwick, accepted novels by Thomas Hardy, Arst, man who has said a word to me, all these nights."
not dependent on was from the first an ardent William Black, George Gissing, and tionality is language. It is noteworthy that Meredithian, and the novelist was Olive Schreiner, besides the works the Scots have managed to retain a well reviewed in its pages oven of Sir Edwin Arnold. tenacious hold on their nationality when he was derided overywhere
In May, 1866, the "Morning UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITERS William Hardman, on the without demanding a knowledge or else. fostering a love of Gaelic in their staff of the "Morning Fost," was Post" sent him out as special cor- years Meredith's intimate respondent with the Italian forces, then at their lan- friend. He was the original of Mr. stayed at the Hotel Cavour in
war with Austria. self-contained because schools. The Cornish are no less for 30 gunge has completely died out, and Blackburn Tuckham
Milan and at the Hotel Vittoria In Venice. From these two places he it is unlikely, even if the speaking champ's Career."
Two things amazed me, first the revived boldnear of the open traf-offered you a ticket?" fickers of vice in the streets-due to checks of the police when trying. to curb them-and next, the num- ber of ragged and hungry-looking homeless men to be found each night In Central London,
"There is no need for any man or woman to be homeless in London to-day," various authorities told me. Why then are they there? I have found them by the score, as can And them who looks, Come with me, between the hours
anyont
of 2 and 3.30 a.m. It is safe to uny that those who are walking the streets at this time have nowhere
to go.
-Under The Arches. Charing Cross Arch, between Buckingham-street and Villior-
They Passed By.
I might not have believed him, only that a few nights before, to find what actually happened to the homeless, I myself had spent the night in the garments of poverty, on the Embankment. surprised me mest then was that
What had
Took the draft for a hours' tour of Kent and London,
Disorganised the rush-hour train service to London,
Caused intense irritation among business travellers.
Incurred unnecessary expenses, and Complicated London's street traffic troubles at one of the busiest periods of the day,
under
in "Beau- George Mere-
turoa
Ho
Because in the past it had al- ways been so at least, that is no one took any notice of ma or of the only explanation officially of Weish were forbidden on pain of dith was born at 78; High-street, aent 13 vividly interesting letters
offered. The assurance, however, death, that. the dwellers in the Portsmouth, where his father was to the "Morning Post." was given that the arrangements Principality would lose any title of tailor. Wild and extravagant, virtues and vices. the father, who had succeeded to were made by experts.
their national
derelicts by my side.
One morning, at a quarter to nine, I went to a Salvation Army breakfast at the aheiter in the
up.
40; next time none. morning 1,found eight at one time. .There is no need for me to des-
in- Twenty-seven accepted his cribe. One woman was crouchingvitation. So far as I could see, sleeping on the steps; one man was not one of them belonged to the asleep standing. He did not more same groups that I had found, I a limb or raise his head all the time studied his "catch." Twenty de- I was there. They were lying fullclared that they had never been to Jength on the cold wet stones. This
was in London, please note, in Jan uary, 1028, within a stone's throw
On the 8.55.
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Kodaks and Cameras. Films, Plates and Papers, etc. · Developing, Printing and Enlarging. ZIESS and BUSCH FIELD GLASSES
When the deferred recognition A diagram which explains this It is certainly good that the des- a flourishing business built up by of the novelist's genius came at street, is a good starting point. The Blackfriars-road, near the Obelisk. superb example of red tape iscendants of Tallessin and the great his father, became bankrupt, and, last it was due to the identifica-
given below.
bards should keep alive the melodi- after a short time in London, went tion of his heroine in "Diana of number here varies very much, ae, I knew that the captain there had
ous language in which the sang; to Cape Town, George was cdu- the Crossways" with the Hon. Mrs. cording to the weather and thebeen out on the hunt, during the
Selecting the 8.55 am. train, but it is to be remembered that cated at the expense of his aunts, Norton, whose sad romantic story DODWELL & CO. LTD.
This appeared. police. Sometimes the police move night, as I had been, somewhere
Nouwled, where Henry Morley had in 1884 and Meredith's cottage at them on; sometimes they merciful about the same time. He had given one of the chief business trains outsido Wales the Cymris tongue is who had all married well, at intrigued society.
A place of pil- There are boys and girls in preceded him five years before, Box Hill became ly allow them to stay. Early one tickets to any fresh "enses" he had of the up rush hours, the draft entirely unknown.
was put on it at Chatham Station, morning recently I counted over found, entitling them to a free and immediately every corner in Cardigan and Glamorgan who will He was articled to a solicitor in grimage.
Meredith was always particular- Last Sunday breakfast and a wash and brush every carriage was occupied. Non- have to seek their fortunes in other London, but after two years turn-
smoking carriages became smok-countries, and in consequence have ed from the law to literature.ly sensitive about the neglect of were his gontus his poetry. It is the irony, of faté to cultivate other tongues. They His sole assets ers as a matter of course.
to Lord John that to-day it is for his poems Any ordinary person taking a are, it is to be presumed, to be and introductions journey from Chatham to Tilbury taught English by Welsh teachers, Manners, Charles Dickens, and Rt. rather than his novels that he is Horne, the poet, Mrs. most estecimed by literary folk, Docks would travel on the South- which means that their knowledge H ern Railway to Gravesend, walk of the language will be, to some Browning's friend, who, it will be He was indifferent to what the re- across from Gravesend Central extent, imperfectly acquired. The remember, published his poem, viewers said of his novels. Mark.
French that is taught in English schools by Englishmen, like the English history that is taught in American schools by Americans, is seldom wholly satisfactory. It can scarcely be. contended that the few English teachers in Welsh schools undermine the loyalty of the children to their country. Because of their different outlook, they serve to widen their pupils' horizon. To delve deeply into one's own past at the cost of missing the wide present is a dangerous doctrine to adopt in education. It has always been' one of the chief assets of the Welshman that he could talk two languages with equal ease. But anything which interferes with his complete knowledge of English will handicap him severely in the economie mar- ket."Daily Telegraph."
of the hotels de luxe and palatial
on
offices of Northumberland-avenue.
A little earlier had been Vietarka Embankment. Sent after seat had its occupants. I picked out one
group of three whose bodies were angging and heads lolling, with every appearance of dend fatigue. One was apparent. ly guarding a bundle by his side,
They told the usual story. They had come from the country and had acarched for work in vain. Their money bad gone, and here they were. They looked hungry, so I invited them to a coffee stall.
When they moved, the bundle also sprang to life, and .from it a young woman emerged.
"This young lady gave me a cup of tea. Can she come along, too," naked the man who had been next to her.
Down And Out.
"Young lady!" Her crushed,. cheaply smart dress, her uglily smeared lips, and the misery of her fatigue-devoured eyes haunt
still.
It was not far to the coffee stall, but before we had covered half the stance four other young fellows, obviously down and out, joined us. At the next seat we found some more, and by the time the coffee stall was reached there were 10 of
18.
And then men seemed to rise
from the ground. Before we had done, the 16 had grown to 40.
The "young lad kept to one
side, and one of the men took ten and a meat pie to her.
The otheis needed no further
verification of their poverty than their appearance. Nearly all were dressed shabbily, in shapeless clothing that had been washed by All many rains to a drab brown. were thin, some of them horribly thin.
BON VI
Ice Sculpture in Quebec
Just towards Carnival time in Quebec examples of lea statuary begin to appear in the streets. This statuary ranges from very modest ice arches to most ambitious conceptions such as a railway locomotive, a dog team and sled or a carlolle (habitant sleigh) complete with horse. and "bon homme et bonne femme." These statues are not freakish bits or carnival decoration but embody very real artistic values and are nsually set up before the Chateau Frontenne.
The genius who makes these delightful things is a little French- Canadian man. A habitant with bright eyes, a ready laugh and a. high heart. His name is Mishel Carbonicau and be will tell one that he is "Un sculpteur de bois, nurbre,” and various other mediums; also a carpenter, but "Une specialite monument do glace, Ma'moisello s'il- vous-plait."
Photograph shows a statua that has but recently been completed and inscribed with the words, "Don vieux tomps," meaning "Good old times."
--
a shelter before. Many of these, Station to the Town Pier, erosg the river by ferry, entrain to the obviously never had.
Decks station at Tilbury, and in be in the docks. five minutes Travelling by the 8.55 a.m. train he would reach Gravesend at 9.17, and the remainder of the journey would take less than half-an-hour.
Sighs of the Old Men. Here was the young countryman, hard-jawed and clean looking, des- pite his night in the open. He was gazing straight in front of him as he sat at his breakfast, taking no notice of his companions.
Here were several old men, some
fine looking old men, too. "What ean an old fellow like, me do?" naked one of them. "Who would give me a job when there are youngaters to hand in plenty 7"
and St. Pancras is 58 miles.
BRIDE'S RECEPTION.
MR. TITHERADGE'S WEDDING.
"The Stroller," writing in the "Evening News" of Jan. 20, says:
Theatre-goers queuing up for the matinee of "The Crooked Billet" at the Royalty Theatre this after- noon were surprised to see the en- trance hall looking Hke the foyer of a fashionable hotel, with a wed- ding reception, taking place before them.
a
The central Agure of the crowd who thronged.the vestibule was bride in a gossamer dress of soft white material, over which she wore a beautiful white silk coat, heavily bordered by white fox fur.
Love at First Sight.
,
Moose Plentiful in Ontario
t is not an easy thing to shoot a moose but there are plenty of them in the Big Pogamasi district of Ontario which can be reached comfortably over the lines of the Canadian Pacific railway. Bob Becker, the sparting editor of the Chicago Tribune, visited this district during the present winter and he was successful in 'accounting for a magnificent specimen of a bull moose.
"How these big boys are travelling," said the guide to Bob Becker the morning after he had arrived in the district. "Papa moose and all the family are looking for winter quarters as the heavy snow and low tempera- tures are warning signals that fall has gone and winter is here." At that time Bob Becker and his guide were in a snug log cabin on the shore of Elg Fog Lake, Metagama. Suddenly there was a rustle near by and a big bull moose hove in sight. Bob Becker's 30 rifle spoke and down went Mr. Moose for one of those long counts which usually follow a knock out by a 100 grala bullet, so there was moose ment in the frying pan and all was set for a celebration banquet in camp that night.
that would not read poetry.
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Consult
"Orion," at a farthing a copy to Pattison, for instance,
warning label to novel readers not show his contempt for a public Meredith's name on a book was `t to touch it. "Cornhill" rejected "Commencing Author."
"Beauchamp's Career," and the On her head she had 1 close- George Meredith established "Fortnightly Review" condescend- From Chatham to Tilbury via fitting toque made of white feathers. himself in a garret and eat downingly published it in a condensed Gravesend and the ferry is She was Miss Madge Stuart, the to write poetry. His first poem form, and Meredith smalled, if a appeared in little wryly. But when they spoke miles. From Chatham to Tilbury charming actress who has played "Chillianwallah," via Gravesend, Charing Cross, many leading parts in British films "Chamber's Journal" for July, alightingly of his poems Meredith and on the West End stage, An 1849. Lack of means, in Victorian was touched on the raw. A name Trip Across London.
of them that hour and a half previously she had days, seems to have been no bar less reviewer said The experts, however, sent the
been married at the Princes-row to marriage, and the young poet they were "poetical matter, not could never Meredith draft to Charing Cross, where it register office to Mr. Dion Tither fell in love with the widowed poems." God save me from being where arrived about 10.15. Here brakes adge, the well-known dramatic au- daughter of Thomas Love Peacock, forget that. "Everyone knows the he is when my hair turna white. were waiting to take the men and thor and actor.
and married her, apparently on the unimportance of my poor poems— The hands of many of those
Here was a sailor lad as aice a their baggage across congested Mr. Bertie Meyer, the best man, strength of this one poem. He was poetical matter, not preme-ta atretching out for coffee or pie boy as one would want to see. He London to St. Pancras Station, an (who was formerly in the Vacuum just twenty-one.
some person of insight has actual- were hideously light, with the bad tramped to London and had other half-an-hour's journey at oll Con Colombo Office) told me "The marriage was a blunder," ly said," he told. Richard Le fragility that comes only from long had his papers and his little all least. fllness or long shortage of food. I stolen in a common lodging-house. Here they were entrained in that the bride and bridegroom had he said, in later years. The young "It couple lived with the Peacocks at
Let any verse lover who has have lived in famine-stricken coun- "If you could only find me a job, the boat train for Tilbury, which met through his introduction. tries and know the aure signs of air," he pleaded.
is immediately opposite Grave was a case of love at first sight," The Limes, Weybridge, till the
birth of their only child, Arthur nevor yet read "Love in the Val- lack of food.
Here was the young man who send, a journey which occupies old Mr. Meyer.
To-day's happy ceremony was the Gryffyth, four years later, when loy" If any such exist-ponder
they moved into a cottage at over the poem' and marvel at the | had clearly been a clerk. Out of not less than another hour.
In addition there is the greater sequel.
Here Meredith lack of perspicacity in, a genera- those 27 men, at least 12 were good
If there are
The only seene in Mr. Tither-Lower Halliford. ask, for he was deaf and dumb; he raw material, the kind any batcxpense entailed.
Oscar Wilde, who would sacri- could only jibber and point, like I tulion commander would have many of these exploits on the part adge's play "The Crooked Billet" wrote his first novel, "The Shay-tion that could overlook it.
jumped at during the Great War. of the Chatham "experts" they at the Royalty, is a very solidly-ing of Shagpat," acclaimed by
provide some explanation for the built representation of the interior George Elliot as "a work of genius, fice exactitude for the sake of an of an inn in Kent, with a bar- an apple tree among the trees of epigram, said that George Meredith high Naval estimates.
the wood."
had mastered everything but lan The men were travelling the counter prominent in the picture.
It is still truc of George guage. As a novelist, he could do An average of 80 people spend greater part of three hours, and
It was a happy idea to utilise the the night on the streets of London, held their own opinions about it stage this afternoon with the scene Meredith, as it was then, that "his anything except tell a story.
The Dean of Westminster, re most powerful partisans are those j .set for the wedding reception.
Many theatrical celebrities ate of his own household-journalists, fused Meredith burial in the Ah ha!" says some cynical and have
One of the bluejackets told a
Abbey. He resta, 18 he would experienced readon these were the rerounchers, the rest in one of the all-night coffee tative that he was "fed up" with health of the bride and bridegroom. George Meredith took his five-year-wife, in Dorking churchyard, the
"Of course, manage to have an hour or two of Westminster Gazette" represen- the wedding cake and drank the poets, and novellats.""
His wife left him in 1858. have wished, by his loved second smart lads who apend the night houses. Otherwise they spend such a journey.
"If I had been going on my To-night the bride and bride old son and went to London, liv-epitaph above his grave: from around the Embankment, waiting their time wandering or sitting in
"Life is but a little holding, the open somewhat between the own," he said, "I should have groom and a party of friends willing heaven alone knows how on "Vittoria
Lent to do a mighty labour."- north side of Hyde Park-some- gone to Gravesend and across by occupy boxes at the theatre to sea heaven alone knows what, for his
ed. In the following your "The Or-"Morning Post." times you can count over 30 there the ferry. Why is it we have to the play. The honeymoon is to novel was a failure. He publish and the Embankment west of the travel via London? Red tape and be at the bridegroom'a villa at Cap deal of Richard Feveral." Its Temple.
nothing else!"--
1
Feeding the Hungry. Here was a lad who could not
have seen hungry animals do. Here were men who pleaded for their Peace has no place for them.
mates: "Guvnor, could you give him a cup? He's had nothing."
When the forty were served, there were still some waiting.
for their prey."
Far be it from me to say that such experienced critics are wrong. But it was 3 a.m.! Who stays out at three o'clock on a none too pleas- ing morning if he has a bed await- ing him? That they were all poverty-stricken and hungry I had the best evidence before me.
4.
Near Waterloo Bridge'n man was sitting alone. He was trying to twist around so as to rest his head to be able to sleep. I sat
Nowhere to Sleep.
with nowhere to sleep. If they a couple of coppers, they
Why do they not go to the Casual Ward? you ask. That is what I next set out to discover-"Dally News and Westminster Gazette,"
all.
-Ferrat.
No Explanation. Asked for an explanation as to why the shorter and less-expert"
Eating the Cake.
"low ethical tone" was condemned by the Spectator," and the novel was doomed to failure. It was nearly 20 years before it ran into a second edition!
The Japanese Ambassador and Matsul, the Blamese Baroness sive route was not adopted, an things are experts at the job.
Charge d'Affaires and the Chinese Charge d'Affaires and Mme. Wei- Adrairalty official said he had They may have some arrange
ment with the railway company. Journeyman Journalist. cheng Chen, were guests on Feb none to offer."
"I expect they have been doing They have to guard against bad Bitterly George Meredith realls-ruary 10 of the Lithuanian Charge it at Chatham for years," he said. men breaking away from the ea that he could not live on his d'Affaires and Mme. Rackauskas at Films taken by a church member "It sounds bad, I admit, but there draft and going into public houses, books. He was already suffering a reception at the Lithuanian down beside him, and after a time of the church, congregation, bey may be difficulties which make it. The men have to be paraded tortures from indigestion. He Legation, on the occasion of the ecouts, and girl guides, were shown mecossary to travel the longer way and marched on board, and it is could not help writing novels, but tenth anniversary of the Declara
allowther, a big job. But only like other novelists, eg, the late ton Aubyn's Church, Upper Norwood.
Those who arrange these Uhatham kLove Way it was done.
we began to exchange experiences.
of the Independence.
up from the country to find a job.
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