The Mysteries of Modern LondonSims, George R. (George Robert)
History
The Mysteries of Modern London
Sims, George R. (George Robert)
Criminals -- England -- London; London (England) -- History
If we were to go to one of the fashionable churches of London to listen
to a preacher whose name is a household word, we should be struck with
the likeness of that distinguished divine to the lodging-house valet.
The likeness is accounted for by the fact that they are brothers. Both
were at Harrow, both were at Oxford. But one this Sunday morning is
preaching to a wealthy West End congregation, and is on the straight
road to a bishopric, while the other is "valeting" a beggar in a common
lodging-house.
Clergymen themselves come here sometimes. There is one who comes
constantly--generally late at night. He has a cubicle, for which he pays
sixpence. However late he may come in, he generally leaves early, before
most of the lodgers are about.
He never enters the common kitchen. Sometimes he is shabby and down at
heel. Sometimes he appears to have had a little luck, and his appearance
is neater. Why a clergyman reduced to using a common lodging-house
should retain the distinguished marks of clerical attire it is difficult
to say. The deputy is the only person who has had an opportunity
of studying him closely. The deputy, who is an excellent judge of
character, thinks that the clerical get-up is a dodge; that the man is
an impostor. But the proprietor, who, on two occasions, has spoken with
his guest, is certain that there is no imposture--that the man is a
Clerk in Holy Orders who has come upon evil times. He has been using the
lodging-house off and on for the past five years.
Once in the rack at the door there was a letter for him. The envelope
had a black border, and was addressed simply "Mr. William Venn."
Letters at the lodging-house are not given to the first person who
claims them. Unless a guest is thoroughly well known he is expected to
give some proof that he is the person named on the envelope.
In this instance Mr. Venn produced a couple of letters from his pocket.
Both were addressed to the Rev. William Venn--I am not giving the
correct name--at the General Post Office, "to be called for."
When he came to the lodging-house again there was a black band round the
dilapidated high hat he always wore.
He only came back once after he was in mourning. No one at the
lodging-house saw him again for some time. Shortly afterwards a
solicitor's clerk came to make inquiries. His firm were particularly
anxious to find the Rev. William Venn, who was entitled to a
considerable sum of money by the death of a relative. The last known
address of the reverend gentleman was this lodging-house, to which a
relative had sent him the news of his wife's death in a lunatic asylum.
The proprietor took the address of the solicitors, and promised to
communicate with them should the clergyman come again.
A year afterwards the clergyman did come--more wretched-looking, more
woe-begone than ever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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