Household words, No. 22, August 24, 1850 : $b A weekly journal — John Shaqi
Household words, No. 22, August 24, 1850 : $b A weekly journal
General
Household words, No. 22, August 24, 1850 : $b A weekly journal
English literature -- Periodicals
The duties of the editor of the “London Strangers’ Leaf” would not be
very onerous. The names and intended addresses of every individual
coming from abroad it will not be difficult to obtain. To reach us
Islanders every visitor must arrive by sea, and at each port we are
blessed with a customhouse. The captain of every steamer is bound for
customhouse purposes to have the name of each of his passengers set down
in a sort of Way-bill; and, for a slight consideration, the person who
performs that office (generally the steward), would doubtless learn and
add the address to which each of the passengers is going in London. An
arrangement with a customhouse clerk at each of the ports could be made
for forwarding daily a copy of the list. Thus a complete record of
arrivals from abroad could be obtained with little trouble. The names
and lodgings of persons from the provinces would be more difficult of
access; but a good understanding with hotel-keepers, and some assistance
from the “Lodging-house Committee” (for of course there will be one,) of
the Executive of the Great Congress, would insure the editor a tolerably
complete “List of the Company” who assemble, even from the country. The
“Strangers’ Leaf” might be published early each afternoon so as to give
the arrivals of the morning.
It is not to be doubted that at the essentially Industrial Meeting of
1851, the _Chevaliers d’Industrie_ of all nations will make it their
especial business to attend in large numbers. _Their_ names, personal
appearance, addresses, and achievements, it would be very useful to
record in “the Strangers’ Leaf.” To our excellent friends the Detectives
the benefit would be great and reciprocal: for they would not only
derive, but contribute much useful information. As a kind of “Hue and
Cry,” of a more refined and fashionable kind, the proposed sheet would
be invaluable.
Should any enterprising gentleman, literary or otherwise, make the
experiment, it may possibly turn out not only useful but profitable.
Should such a speculation be deemed too undignified, we would silence
the objection with a remark from Macaulay’s Essay on the life of Bacon,
to the effect that Nothing is too insignificant for the attention of the
wisest, which may be of advantage to the smallest in the community.
NO HOSPITAL FOR INCURABLES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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