HOW LONDON HAS GROWN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 June 1925, Page 5

HOW LONDON HAS GROWN

That is a very illuminating poop into London of bygone days which a Nineteenth Century writer has 1 furnished from "A London Guide-Book of 1808.” Judging by the vast ness of the difference to he observed between the London of to-day and London as it existed at the opening of the nineteenth century, it is difficult to realise that only 120 years have passed. In 1802, we are told the population of London had increased to 800,000 —an increase of only one-third in a century. By 1922 the population had reached the huge total of 7,476,000 —over nine times as large as it was in 1802 ! The guide-book mentions that in 1700 the .Metropolis contained an eighth part, and in 1802, rattier less than one-tenth of the population of England and Wales. The River Thames was, apparently, still the main highway of London. There, were 8000 watermen for 3000 passenger wherries, and only 1100 hackney coaches. Sedan chairs were still used. The fare was Is a mile. llackuev roach lares we.ro subject to an increase of 25 per cent., if the nrico of oats should exceed 25s per quarter. “lit London I lie watch men aro old, decrepit men. with scarcely enough strength to use the alarum, their signal of distress.” Water was conveyed by wooden mains, from which italfindh lead pipes were connected with most of the houses.