The Monument, commemorating the great fire in 1666, stands where the fire ended; it is a fluted column 202 feet high. The reason given for this height is, I believe, that this is the distance from the spot where the fire started in Pudding Lane. There was once an inscription on the Monument saying that the fire was the result of a Popish plot, but this was long ago effaced.
There is a fine view from the top, but the stairs are very wearisome. In one of Dickens's books—Martin Chuzzlewit, I think—the man in charge of the Monument says, when some folks have paid the money necessary for admission: "They don't know what a many steps there is. It's worth twice the money to stay below." The top is enclosed with an iron railing, because so many people have committed suicide from it. Although there are hundreds of statues, memorials, monuments, etc., this is "the Monument" of London. The carriages here always go to the left instead of to the right. That seems odd to an American.
Tillie S. Taylor, R. T. F.
San Francisco's "Chinatown."
Chinatown proper is bounded by Pacific Street on the north, Kearny Street on the east, and California and Stockton streets on the south and west respectively. Three of the principal car lines pass through it, so much of Chinatown and its life can be seen even by one coming up from downtown on the cars.
One is much amused by the curious ways and dress of the Chinese children, especially the young ones. Sometimes around Chinese New-Year's there is a great celebration and much firing of fire-crackers. Then the buildings are decorated in the brightest colors, and each Chinaman salutes his friend or neighbor with "Quong he fat choy" (Happy New-Year). Chinamen also make presents to their white friends at this time, sometimes very elaborate ones.
Post Street is the most common street for Chinese funerals, which consist of but one or two carriages, and sometimes only a hearse. From the vehicles are thrown out slips of paper about an inch and a half by five inches, with slits cut in them. There is a common belief that the devil must go through every hole in every piece of paper before he can reach the soul of the dead.
N. Wheaton, K. T. R.
San Francisco.