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-- OR -- In the clubrooms of The Dark Lantern League, that secret society of Sherlock Holmes's London, there is a small, but select, library you will find snippets on such topics as: |
Browsing the League Library ------- In London Labour and
the London Poor "OF THE BEGGAR STREET-SELLARS "Under this head I include only such of the beggar street-sellars as are neither infirm nor suffering from any severe bodily affliction or privation. I am well aware that the aged -- the blind -- the lame and the halt often pretend to sell small articles in the street -- such as boot-laces, tracts, cabbage-nets, lucifer-matches, kettle-holders, and the like; and that such matters are carried by them partly to keep clear of the law, and partly to evince a disposition to the public that they are willing to do something for their livelihood. "Such, though beggars, are not 'lurkers' -- a lurker being strictly one who loiters about for some dishonest purpose." ------- In David Copperfield by Charles Dickens "'How can you ask me anything so foolish?' pouted Dora. 'Love a beggar!' "'Dora, my own dearest!' said I. 'I am a beggar!'" ------- In the December 1891 issue "His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cross-legged, with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him." ------- In The Picture of Dorian
Gray "The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly--that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked." |
