d he is
not singular. The venders of milk, for instance, seldom call the article
they carry for sale, as it is generally sounded _mieu_, or _mieu below_,
though some have recently adopted the practice of crying _mieu above_.
The sort of sing-song style which the wandering vendera of different
goods get into as it were by nature, is frequently so unintelligible,
that even an old inhabitant of the town and its environs can scarcely
ascertain by the ear what is meant; and which I apprehend arises more
from the sameness of subject than from any premeditated intention of the
parties so calling. Other instances may be given:--the chimney-sweeper,
you will find, instead of ~~374~~~ bawling sweep, frequently contracts
it to we-ep or e-ep; the former not altogether incompatible with the
situation of the shivering little being who crawls along the streets
under a load of soot, to the great annoyance of the well dressed
passengers; however, it has the effect of warning them of his approach.
The dustman, above curtailment, as if he felt his superiority over the
flue-faker, lengthens his sound to dust-ho, or dust-wo; besides, he is
dignified by carrying a bell in one hand, by which he almost stuns
those around him, and appears determined to kick up a dust, if he can
do nothing else. The cries of muffins in the streets it is difficult
to understand, as they are in the habit of ringing a tinkling bell,
the sound of which can scarcely be heard, and calling mapping ho; and
I remember one man whom I have frequently followed, from whom I could
never make out more than happy happy happy now. There is a man who
frequently passes through the Strand, wheeling a barrow before him,
bawling as he moves along, in a deep and sonorous voice, smoaking hot,
piping hot, hot Chelsea Buns; and another, in the vicinity of Covent
Garden, who attracts considerable notice by the cry of--Come buy my live
shrimps and pierriwinkles--buy my wink, wink, wink; these, however, are
exceptions to those previously mentioned, as they have good voices,
and deliver themselves to some tune; but to the former may be added
the itinerant collector of old clothes, who continually annoys you
with--Clow; clow sale. The ingenious Ned Shuter, the most luxuriant
comedian of his time, frequently entertained his audience on his benefit
nights with admirable imitations of the Cries of London, in which he
introduced a remarkable little man who sold puffs, and who, from the
peculiar ma