"THREEPENCE

INDEED!! I NEVER MOVES ON UNDER SIXPENCE. D'YE THINK I DOESN'T KNOW THE 'WALLEY OF PEACE AND QUIET?"

DRAWN BY R. SEYMOUR

THE MODERN PIANO-ORGAN

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When a German band or organ-grinder made his appearance, going to the window, he would call everybody in the house to join him, smile— applaud, and ask for more. Finally, he would send out and thank the performers or performer for the beautiful music. Money, however, he never gave, with the result that his repose was very seldom disturbed.

The modern piano-organ is a great improvement upon the old hurdy-gurdy, indeed, a number of people, amongst whom I am half inclined to count myself, rather like this music. One gentleman in my street, I remember, was very infuriated at the rather high-handed action of a society which seeks to suppress street noises, and when a German band was told to move away, sent for the musicians to come into his house and, posting them upon the balcony, made them play for a considerable time.

The taste for music in London has, of course, greatly improved, and admirable bands now play in the Parks; this is a far greater improvement than filling these lungs of London with statuary.

On the 5th of November and the 1st of May many small perambulating bands of men and boys were to be seen in the streets, these anniversaries being the occasion for much tolerated mendicity.

The sweeps' festival on the 1st of May was a remnant of the old British merriment on that day. It has been asserted that their chorus of "Hey

derry down" was the burden of the song of the Druid priests when they danced round the oak. But there is another reason given for the rejoicings of London sweeps on this day. Lady Montagu, of Montagu House, had been robbed of her beloved child, and one fine 1st of May she is said to have recognized her son's voice whilst singing as a little chimney sweep on the top of her chimney. This was, of course, long before an Act of Parliament rendered it unlawful to make children go up chimneys. In commemoration of the recovery of her child as a sweep on May Day, annual rejoicings, according to arrangements made by Lady Montagu, used to take place on that day among the sooty fraternity.

Much sympathy used to be expressed for the poor little boy sweeps of other days, so many of whom, it is to be feared, were cruelly treated. They had to climb up the chimneys and put their heads and brushes out of the pots, crying, "Sweep," to show they had properly done their work.

In my childhood the police were quite a new institution, the Metropolitan Police Act having only received the Royal assent three years after I was born. The new police force was not introduced generally into our large towns until after the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, in 1836.

The London Police force, it is curious to reflect, is the direct descendant of the London Watch, instituted about 1253.

THE LONDON POLICE

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The present force, it may be added, actually commenced duty on the 29th of September 1829. The first Chief Commissioner appointed was Sir Richard Mayne.

The new force had not a fair start, and for years had to encounter the suspicion and prejudice of the London public. With no one class was it at first a popular body, not unnaturally perhaps it was an object of intense dislike among the dregs of the population. Occasionally it was assailed in the most unmeasured language. Unfledged Hampdens and pot-house politicians denounced it as an instrument of tyranny; the establishment of such a force was railed at as a gross attack on the sacred liberty of the subject. Individualists were rampant. Some vestries viewed the uniformed man as a direct attack on the Constitution, the old constables talked of revolution, all bumbledom was struck with horror, and the feeble watchmen wailed out lugubrious cries of danger : in short, all London seemed of one mind in condemning the whole thing as an uncalled-for innovation, not to be countenanced at any price.

Thus, unsupported by the public, the new police had an uphill fight for a positive and respectable position; and it may fairly be said that it was not until nearly a generation had passed away that it became to be grimly accepted as an indispensable necessity.

To-day, however, every one except the criminal classes appreciates the tact, urbanity, and kindness of