The Project Gutenberg eBook ofLondon Town

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofLondon TownThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: London TownAuthor: Felix LeighIllustrator: Thomas CraneEllen Elizabeth HoughtonRelease date: May 31, 2007 [eBook #21650]Most recently updated: January 2, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, Christine D. andthe Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttps://www.pgdp.net*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONDON TOWN ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: London TownAuthor: Felix LeighIllustrator: Thomas CraneEllen Elizabeth HoughtonRelease date: May 31, 2007 [eBook #21650]Most recently updated: January 2, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, Christine D. andthe Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttps://www.pgdp.net

Title: London Town

Author: Felix LeighIllustrator: Thomas CraneEllen Elizabeth Houghton

Author: Felix Leigh

Illustrator: Thomas Crane

Ellen Elizabeth Houghton

Release date: May 31, 2007 [eBook #21650]Most recently updated: January 2, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Jason Isbell, Irma Spehar, Christine D. andthe Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttps://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONDON TOWN ***

[01]

One foot up and one foot downAnd that's the way to—

[02]

[03]

COME CHILDREN ALL,BOTH GREAT AND SMALL,WITH EAGER EYE AND EAR,WHO DWELL AFAR OR NEARIN HOPE THAT SOME DAY YOU'LL CONTRIVETO VIEW GREATLONDON'S BUSY HIVE,AND HEAR THE MIGHTY HUM OF BEESAT WORK ALIKE IN SUN OR SHOWER,WHILE BUTTERFLIES BENEATH THE TREESFLIT IDLY BY FROM FLOWER TO FLOWERIN PARKS AND GARDENS BRIGHT AND GAY:COME,—CLIMBSAINTPAUL'S WITH US TO-DAY,AND WITH THIS BOOK IN HAND,UPON THE DOME WE'LL STAND,AND THENCE LOOK DOWNO'ER LONDON TOWN.

[04]

London Town

[05]

Houses of Parliament, in Beehive frame

[06]

PRINTED AND BOUND BY MARCUS WARD & CO. LONDON BELFAST

[07]

CONTENTSTHE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENTST. PAUL'S CATHEDRALPageTHE TOWER OF LONDON8,9,10,11THE OMNIBUS12THE PENNY-ICE MAN13COVENT GARDEN14,15THE PENNY-TOY MAN16THE ORANGE GIRL17THE FIRST OF MAY18ST. JAMES' PARK19,20WESTMINSTER ABBEY21,22,23CHARITY GIRLS24THE BRITISH MUSEUM25,26,27THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY28,29THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS30,31,32THE MILK WOMAN33THE MUFFIN MAN34THE SHOEBLACKS35CHRIST'S HOSPITAL36,37GUILDHALL—GOG AND MAGOG38,39THE CAT'S-MEAT MAN40THE NIGHT WATCH41THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL42,43THE FLOWER WOMAN44CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE45THE CHESTNUT WOMAN46THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER47THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL48THE HAPPY FAMILY49THE CROSSING SWEEPER50PUNCH AND JUDY51THE LOWTHER ARCADE52,53THE DUSTMAN IS COMING54,55GOOD BYE

[08]

Among the sights of London TownWhich little visitors wish to view,The Tower stands first, and its great renownHas, you will notice, attracted Prue.At a well-known spot, to Miss Prue's surprise,Some fine old ravens are strutting about.If upon the picture a glance you cast,You will know the ravens next time, no doubt.The red-coated guard who's watching hereIs called a Beefeater—fancy that!And Prue discovers, as she draws near,A child by his side who is round and fat."Father and Mother, pray come here,"In tones so pleasant, laughs lively Prue:"You've shownmethings that are odd and queer,A Beefeater's baby I'll showyou!"

Among the sights of London TownWhich little visitors wish to view,The Tower stands first, and its great renownHas, you will notice, attracted Prue.

At a well-known spot, to Miss Prue's surprise,Some fine old ravens are strutting about.If upon the picture a glance you cast,You will know the ravens next time, no doubt.

The red-coated guard who's watching hereIs called a Beefeater—fancy that!And Prue discovers, as she draws near,A child by his side who is round and fat.

"Father and Mother, pray come here,"In tones so pleasant, laughs lively Prue:"You've shownmethings that are odd and queer,A Beefeater's baby I'll showyou!"

[09]

The Tower of London

[10]

Prue has wandered high and wandered lowThrough Norman chapel and dungeon cell;The grand Crown Jewels that sparkle so,And the Traitor's Gate, she has seen as well.She has looked from the walls on the River, too,And spent in the Armouries nearly an hour:Ah! holiday folks like our Miss PrueEnjoy themselves when they come to the Tower!But the Tower was a prison, in days of old,And few who got into it ever came out,Though now we can visit the grim strongholdAny day of the week, without fear or doubt.

Prue has wandered high and wandered lowThrough Norman chapel and dungeon cell;The grand Crown Jewels that sparkle so,And the Traitor's Gate, she has seen as well.

She has looked from the walls on the River, too,And spent in the Armouries nearly an hour:Ah! holiday folks like our Miss PrueEnjoy themselves when they come to the Tower!

But the Tower was a prison, in days of old,And few who got into it ever came out,Though now we can visit the grim strongholdAny day of the week, without fear or doubt.

[11]

Tower from the Thames

[12]

Every day along the streets of mighty London TownNine hundred omnibuses rumble up and down.When you're tired of walking, call "Hi! Conductor, stop!"And he'll give you such a jolly ride, for twopence, on the top.Sometimes by the 'bus's side small boys will run a mile,Turning round just like the wheels, and hungry all the while:—"We've not had any breakfast,—won't you toss us down a brown?"—That's what they call a penny in the streets of London Town.

Sometimes by the 'bus's side small boys will run a mile,Turning round just like the wheels, and hungry all the while:—"We've not had any breakfast,—won't you toss us down a brown?"—That's what they call a penny in the streets of London Town.

[13]

In summer when the sun is high,And children's lips are parched and dry,An ice is just the thing to try.So this young man who comes, 'tis plain,From Saffron Hill or Leather Lane,A store of pence will quickly gain."A lemon ice for me," says Fred;Cries Sue, "No, have a cream instead.""A raspberry!" shouts Newsboy Ned."What fun! Although we're now in June,It feels"—says Ned—"this afternoon,Like eating winter with a spoon!"

[14]

This is Covent Garden,What a lively scene!Here are flowers so pretty,There are leaves so green.These are busy buyers,Busy sellers those,Selling, buying, selling,Everything that grows.Fruits and lovely blossomsHither come each day,Fresh fromothergardensMany miles away.Cabbages potatoes,Pears and apples too,Grapes, and pines, and peaches,All are here on view.So the air is scentedWith the pleasant fruits,With the bright-hued nosegays,And the springing roots.For the little street-boys,Walking up and down,It's almost like the countryBrought to London Town.

This is Covent Garden,What a lively scene!Here are flowers so pretty,There are leaves so green.These are busy buyers,Busy sellers those,Selling, buying, selling,Everything that grows.

Fruits and lovely blossomsHither come each day,Fresh fromothergardensMany miles away.Cabbages potatoes,Pears and apples too,Grapes, and pines, and peaches,All are here on view.

So the air is scentedWith the pleasant fruits,With the bright-hued nosegays,And the springing roots.For the little street-boys,Walking up and down,It's almost like the countryBrought to London Town.

[15]

Covent Garden

[16]

"Toys! toys! Penny Toys!Toys for girls, and toys for boys!Toys for dots who scarce can crawl,Toys for youngsters stout and tall,Toys for prince and peasant too,Toys, my dears, for all of you!Toys for girls and toys for boys!Toys! toys! Penny Toys!"

That is how the toyman talks,As through London Town he walks;Bawling out his toyman's song,While he slowly moves along,On the pavement with a trayWhich is filled, from day to day,With new toys to catch the eyeOf the youthful passer-by.Sometimes it's a great big spider,Like that Miss Muffet had beside her;Sometimes it's a bat that flies,Or a baby doll that cries;Sometimes it's a frog that leaps,Or a crocodile that creeps:But whatever toy is shown,For a penny it's your own.

Sometimes it's a great big spider,Like that Miss Muffet had beside her;Sometimes it's a bat that flies,Or a baby doll that cries;Sometimes it's a frog that leaps,Or a crocodile that creeps:But whatever toy is shown,For a penny it's your own.

[17]

Orange-girl KittyHere you may see.That she is prettyAll will agree."Three for a penny!"That is her cry;No wonder manyHasten to buy.Orange-girl Kitty'sMother, we're told,Everyone pities—So feeble and old.Poor mother's livingKitty obtains,Cheerfully givingHer all that she gains.Orange-girl KittyRoams to and fro;All through the cityShe's known high and low.When the sun's shining,When the rain falls,Never repining,—"Fine fruit!" Kitty calls.

Orange-girl KittyHere you may see.That she is prettyAll will agree."Three for a penny!"That is her cry;No wonder manyHasten to buy.

Orange-girl Kitty'sMother, we're told,Everyone pities—So feeble and old.Poor mother's livingKitty obtains,Cheerfully givingHer all that she gains.

Orange-girl KittyRoams to and fro;All through the cityShe's known high and low.When the sun's shining,When the rain falls,Never repining,—"Fine fruit!" Kitty calls.

[18]

Chimney Sweeps' Day, Blackbird is gay,Here he is singing, you see, in the "May."He has feathers as black as a chimney sweep's coat,So on Chimney Sweeps' Day he must pipe a glad note.Jack-in-the-Green from door to doorCapers along with his followers four.As May Day mummers are seldom seen,Let us all give a copper to Jack-in-the-Green.

Chimney Sweeps' Day, Blackbird is gay,Here he is singing, you see, in the "May."He has feathers as black as a chimney sweep's coat,So on Chimney Sweeps' Day he must pipe a glad note.

Jack-in-the-Green from door to doorCapers along with his followers four.As May Day mummers are seldom seen,Let us all give a copper to Jack-in-the-Green.

[19]

What a countrified scene we have here!Who would think London Town was so near,That its murmur comes borne on the breezeTo the listener under the trees?To this spot, to buy biscuits or buns,Each city child joyously runs.But the Park's greatest treat, they all vow,Is a glass of new milk from the cow.

What a countrified scene we have here!Who would think London Town was so near,That its murmur comes borne on the breezeTo the listener under the trees?

To this spot, to buy biscuits or buns,Each city child joyously runs.But the Park's greatest treat, they all vow,Is a glass of new milk from the cow.

[20]

Cried the drake to the ducks, "Here's a boy with a bun,Come, make haste! we shall have quite a feast!""Would you mind," said a swan, "if we shared in the fun?""O dear no!" said he; "not in the least!"It was surely through fear, not politeness at all,That the drake made so civil a speech,For that one penny bun, after all, was so small,There was hardly a mouthful for each!From the ducks and the swans on the lake, to next page—A much quieter scene—you may pass:Though Westminster Cloisters are hoary with age,Yet green is their velvety grass,And cheerily bright are their gables and peaks,As they glow in the westering sun:'Tis some house in the Cloisters yon schoolboy seeks—Don't you wonder, now, which is the one?

From the ducks and the swans on the lake, to next page—A much quieter scene—you may pass:Though Westminster Cloisters are hoary with age,Yet green is their velvety grass,And cheerily bright are their gables and peaks,As they glow in the westering sun:'Tis some house in the Cloisters yon schoolboy seeks—Don't you wonder, now, which is the one?

[21]

The Inner Cloisters Westminster

[22]

In all the landA pile so grandIs scarcely foundAs this. AroundIts old grey wallsThe shadow fallsOf bygone years,And so one fearsTo raise one's tone,When one is shownSome ancient tomb,Half hid in gloom.Beneath such stonesThere rest the bonesOf monarchs bold,Whose story's toldFor you and meIn history.

[23]

From kings of menWe wander; thenWe're quickly broughtTo kings of thought,For poets lieInterred hard by.Here, too, reposeThe bones of thoseWho fought the foeLong, long ago.Brave knights were they;And in the frayThey kept from shameThe English name,And proved in fightGreat Britain's might.Where they are laidTheir rest is madeAs sweet as prayerBy music rare:Over their headThe sleeping deadCan daily hearThe anthem clearFloating alongLike angel's song,Until it diesLike angel's sighs.

And proved in fightGreat Britain's might.Where they are laidTheir rest is madeAs sweet as prayerBy music rare:Over their headThe sleeping deadCan daily hearThe anthem clearFloating alongLike angel's song,Until it diesLike angel's sighs.

[24]

Not far from the British Museum there standsAn apple stall, painted bright green,Whence a penny may buy from the stall-keeper's handsThree apples, all rosy and clean.Now the girls of St. George's great Charity SchoolVery often are passing that way,For their governors wise make this very good rule—They must go for a walk every day.How wistful the glances they cast as they pass,How they long for an apple to eat;But their pockets are quite without pennies, alas!To purchase so dainty a treat.These maidens have cheeks that are rosy and sweetAs the choicest of fruit on the stall,And the very next time that we meet in this street,I'll buy apples enough for them all.

Not far from the British Museum there standsAn apple stall, painted bright green,Whence a penny may buy from the stall-keeper's handsThree apples, all rosy and clean.

Now the girls of St. George's great Charity SchoolVery often are passing that way,For their governors wise make this very good rule—They must go for a walk every day.

How wistful the glances they cast as they pass,How they long for an apple to eat;But their pockets are quite without pennies, alas!To purchase so dainty a treat.

These maidens have cheeks that are rosy and sweetAs the choicest of fruit on the stall,And the very next time that we meet in this street,I'll buy apples enough for them all.

[25]

Goodness gracious! What a noiseBaby Bunting's bent on making;It is quite enough to setAll the heads around him aching.Still we're sure that Baby hasMany griefs if we could see 'em,For with other babes he's comeMiles and miles to the Museum.Baby Bunting thought, of course,When he said good bye to mother,That he'd pass in through the gatesWith big sister and big brother.But poor Baby finds, alas,That his little hopes have flitted,For the nasty notice says"Babes in arms are not admitted."

[26]

In the British Museum: NORTH WEST EDIFICE NIMROUD

[27]

If you want to see all sorts of wonderful things,Stuffed crocodiles, mammoths, and sloths,Hairy ducks with four feet, and fishes with wings,Fat beetles, and strange spotted moths;And enormous winged bulls with long beards, carved in stone,Dug up from Assyria's sand,And old blackened mummies as dry as a bone,Discovered in Egypt's lone land,And beautiful statues from Greece and from Rome,And other fine things without end,—You will find you can see half the world here at home,If a day in this place you will spend.

If you want to see all sorts of wonderful things,Stuffed crocodiles, mammoths, and sloths,Hairy ducks with four feet, and fishes with wings,Fat beetles, and strange spotted moths;

And enormous winged bulls with long beards, carved in stone,Dug up from Assyria's sand,And old blackened mummies as dry as a bone,Discovered in Egypt's lone land,

And beautiful statues from Greece and from Rome,And other fine things without end,—You will find you can see half the world here at home,If a day in this place you will spend.

[28]

Who is this in the Weighing Chair?Why, little Dot, I do declare!Three stone five! "So much as that?"Calls out Miss Dot; "then Imustbe fat!"On this and the opposite page you seeDot's mother, and brother, and sisters three.They wait for an underground train to comeAnd carry them swiftly back to their home.Wonderful trains! From morn till night,Clattering through tunnels without daylight,Hither and thither they run, up and down,Beneath the streets of London Town.Many prefer these trains insteadOf the cabs and "Busses" overhead,For they run much faster than horses can.Miss Dot's papa is a busy man,

Who is this in the Weighing Chair?Why, little Dot, I do declare!Three stone five! "So much as that?"Calls out Miss Dot; "then Imustbe fat!"

On this and the opposite page you seeDot's mother, and brother, and sisters three.They wait for an underground train to comeAnd carry them swiftly back to their home.

Wonderful trains! From morn till night,Clattering through tunnels without daylight,Hither and thither they run, up and down,Beneath the streets of London Town.Many prefer these trains insteadOf the cabs and "Busses" overhead,For they run much faster than horses can.Miss Dot's papa is a busy man,

Wonderful trains! From morn till night,Clattering through tunnels without daylight,Hither and thither they run, up and down,Beneath the streets of London Town.

Many prefer these trains insteadOf the cabs and "Busses" overhead,For they run much faster than horses can.Miss Dot's papa is a busy man,

And goes to the City every dayBy the "Underground,"—the quickest way:And One Hundred Millions of people, 'tis found,Are carried each year by the "Underground."

[29]

The underground railway

[30]

Away we go to the famous Zoo'With Bertie, and Nellie, and Dick, and Sue.And we feel quite ready to jump for gleeWhen the wonderful birds and beasts we see.The pelican solemn with monster beak,And the plump little penguin round and sleek,Have set us laughing—Ha, ha! Ho! ho!And you'll laugh too, if you look below.To the monkey-house then we make our way,Where the monkeys chatter, and climb, and play;At the snakes we peep, then onward stroll,To talk to the parrots, and "scratch a poll,"And after all that, there will still be timeOn the patient elephant's back to climb.

[31]

The Zoological Gardens

[32]

Don't forget at the Zoo'To take a good viewOf the funny old bear,Who climbs out of his lairUp a pole—Look, he's here,With his figure so queer,And his thick clumsy paws,And his bun-seeking jaws.On the end of a stickPlace a bun—"Now quick,Master Bertie"—and, snap!—What an awful red trap!—The bun's out of sight,But one more will delightFather Bruin up there,For his appetite's rare,And he never says "No"To a dozen or so.

Back to Index Next