The night-cellar yet
exists, where the wretched obtain a temporary lodging and straw bed at
twopence per head; but the Augean stable has been cleansed of much of
its former impurities, and scarce a vestige remains of the disgusting
depravity of former times.
[Illustration: page029]
A little way up Dyot-street, on the right hand from Holborn, we
perceived the gateway to which Barney had directed me, and passing under
it into a court filled with tottering tenements of the most wretched
appearance, we were soon attracted to the spot we sought, by the clamour
of voices apparently singing and vociferating together. The faithful
Barney was ready posted at the door to receive us, and had evidently
prepared the company to show more than usual respect. An old building
or shed adjoining the deceased's residence, which had been used for
a carpenter's shop, was converted for the occasion from its general
purpose to a melancholy hall of mourning. At one end of this place
was the corpse of the deceased, visible to every person from its
being placed on a bed in a sitting posture, beneath a tester of ragged
check-furniture; large sheets of white linen were spread around the
walls in lieu of tapestries, and covered with various devices wrought
into fantastic images of flowers, angels, and seraphim.
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