Cross over to the Surrey side, and look at such shops of this description as are to be
found near the King's Bench prison, and in 'the Rules'. How different, and how
strikingly illustrative of the decay of some of the unfortunate residents in this part of
the metropolis! Imprisonment and neglect have done their work. There is
contamination in the profligate denizens of a debtor's prison; old friends have fallen
off; the recollection of former prosperity had passed away; and with it all thoughts for
the past, all care for the future. First, watches and rings, then cloaks, coats, and all
the more expensive articles of dress, have found their way to the pawnbroker's. That
miserable resource has failed at last, and the sale of some trifling article at one of
these shops, has been the only mode left of raising a shilling or two, to meet the
urgent demands of the moment. Dressing-cases and writing-desks, too old to pawn
but too good to keep; guns, fishing-rods, musical instruments, all in the same
condition; have first been sold, and the sacrifice has been but slightly felt. But hunger
must be allayed, and what has already become a habit, is easily resorted to, when
an emergency arises. Light articles of clothing, first of the ruined man, then of his wife,
at last of their children, even of the youngest, have been parted with, piecemeal.
There they are, thrown carelessly together until a purchaser present himself, old, and
patched and repaired, it is true; but the make and materials tell of better days; and
the older they are, the greater the misery and destitution of those whom they once
adorned.
Dickens beschreef in de Street Sketches niet slechts harde realiteit, hij begon ook
mensen uit te tekenen, hoe kort getypeerd soms ook. Zelfs de verpande voorwerpen
vertoonden de mensen in hun persoonlijk stadium van verpaupering. Evenals die
mensen werden de voorwerpen zonder respect op een hoop gegooid.
Kort na Street Sketch N°5 verscheen in februari 1835 The Gin-shop. Het is een schets
van beperkte omvang. Na een algemene inleiding met een steek onder water naar de
Commissioners of Bankruptcy en de Commissioners of Lunacy, gaan wij de arme vuile
wijken in. Daar schildertDickens in contrast met die wijken een fraaie "splendid" gin-shop.
In de loop van de avond echter degradeert het gedrag van het publiek tot een
vechtpartij met als gevolg ingrijpen van de politie.
The Gin Shop Scenes
