A Hundred Years Ago
THE SPECTATOR... OCTOBER 13TH, 1832.
We thought the breed of " Charlies," with their lanterns and greatcoats, had. been extinct ; but it appears there are still a few specimens surviving. At the Mansionhouse on Wednesday, a young man was brought up, charged with having been drunk on the preceding night. Those who had most reason to complaint declined pressing the charge against him, being satisfied at the humility and regret which ho manifested. The watchman said he hoped the Lord Mayor would not let the gentleman go without giving him some " illumination " for his trouble. The Lord Mayor—" You mean remuneration. I suppose ? "
Watchman—" surely, my Lord. It's the practice, you see, my Lord, whim a watchman is knocked about by a gentleman in the streets, for the Halderman to tell the gentleman as knocks him about to illuminate the watchman."
".But I haven't hoard a word about your being knocked about ; hew does it happen to come in at the tail of the business Y "
He kicked my lantern, and knocked about my coat, as I was just a going to put on, and he assaulted me in other ways." -" But you weren't in your coat when he knocked it about Y " '' No, but please you, my Lord, it was just. the seine thing."
Previous page
