The chimneys of London are indeed a remarkable outcome of civilisation, and deserve more attention; but the English seldom lift their eyes in walking, being too much afraid of puddles, and hence the ornaments upon the house-tops are greatly neglected.

I have often thought that a foreigner from the wilds of Weissnichtwo, some Teufelsdrokh with a sense of humour, some Don Quixote, might easily suppose that the attitudes of chimneys bore some intelligible meaning. They really do look as though they meant something; the roof being a legitimate and conspicuous quarter for large decorative figures, here as well as in Greece.

Fig. 74. - Our chimneys.

1. Where are you going, my dear?

2. Jack Tar beset.

3. Conscious virtue.

4. Father, father, I come to confess !

5. Any old hats ! Old hats to sell !

6. Japanese art.

7. Æsthetes in ecstasies.

May I venture to suggest the kind of moral lessons likely to be conveyed, and to point out the opportunity lost in not making them still clearer?

But a truce to satire. Whilst criticising our streets we must give our countrymen credit for one earnest attempt at reform.