A PECULIAR EMPLOYMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 9830, 19 October 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

A PECULIAR EMPLOYMENT.

There is an old, true saying that one half of the world does not know how the other half lives. I am always (says a writer in ' The Sketch') verifying the statement. The last instance was one I met a fortnight ago, while enjoying a fresh breeze at sea, a few miles away from Folkestone. A small boat passed us, occupied by three men. They did not look like fisher-folk or longshoremen, and I asked a friend who is a naval officer what their occupation is. "It is a very curious one," he replied ; " they row about all day when there is no wind for their sail, and search for jobs. Their speciilty is looking after wreckage when anything goes on the Goodwin Sands. If you are a foreigner, yachting in these parts, they will show you the way; if you want some piece ofiship's tackle they will supply it quickly an 3 cheaply provided you ask no questions as to its origin. They will fetch, carry, smuggle, steal, cadge, or do anything else to earn an honest living. I know many of th«sm by sight. They never seem to get into trouble, and are often very useful to passing ships. Sometimes they wait for incoming vessels with newspapers, but their mo/fas vvwnrfii is not always so innocent. Altogether, they lead a rough life, and don't earn very much." I wonder what relationship they bear to these ingenious gentlemen who furnish the Thames police with an objeot in life ?