inconvenience and uncleanliness; the signs extending on both sides of
the way into the streets, at unequal distances from the houses, that
they might not intercept each other, greatly obstructed the view;
and, what is of more consequence in a crowded city, prevented the
free circulation of the air. The footpaths were universally
incommoded--even when they were so narrow as only to admit one person
passing at a time--by a row of posts set on edge next the carriage-way.
He whose urgent business would not permit of his keeping pace
with the gentleman of leisure before him, turned out between the two
posts before the door of some large house into the carriage-way. When
he perceived danger moving toward him, he wished to return within the
protection of the row of posts; but there was commonly a rail
continued from the top of one post to that of another, sometimes for
several houses together, in which case he was obliged to run back to
the first inlet, or climb over, or creep under the railing, in
attempting which, he might be fortunate if he escaped with no other
injury than what proceeded from dirt; if, intimidated by the danger
he escaped, he afterwards kept within the boundary of the posts and
railing, he was obliged to put aside the travellers before him, whose
haste was less urgent than his, and, these resisting, made his
journey truly a warfare.

"The French are reproached, even to a proverb, for the neglect of the
convenience of foot-passengers in their metropolis, by not providing
a separate path for them; but, great as is the exposure to dirt in Paris,
for want of a footpath, which their many _porte-cochères_
seem likely for ever to prevent, in the more important article of
danger, the City of London was, at this period, at least on a par.
How comfortless must be the sensations of an unfortunate female,
stopped in the street on a windy day under a large old sign loaded with