00:00I know of nothing more imposing than the view which the Thames offers during the ascent
00:05from the sea to London Bridge.
00:09The masses of buildings, all this is so vast, so impressive, that a man cannot collect himself.
00:20But let all men remember this, that within the richest city of God's earth there may
00:27be found night after night, winter after winter, men and women, young in years, old in sin
00:35and suffering, rotting from famine, filth and disease.
00:45Londoners have been forced to sacrifice all the best qualities of human nature, to bring
00:52to pass all the marvels of civilization which crowd their city.
00:57Dens of extreme poverty are to be found close to the splendid mansions of the wealthy.
01:05Even in respectable streets like Longacre there are many cellar dwellings, from which emerge
01:12into the light of day, sickly children and half-starved, ragged women.
01:20The very turmoil of the streets has something repulsive.
01:28Something against which human nature rebels.
01:33The hundreds of thousands of all classes and ranks crowding past each other.
01:41Are they not all human beings?
01:44With the same qualities and powers?
01:47With the same interest in being happy?
01:51It occurs to no man to honour another with so much as a glance.
01:57London has created a new phase in human existence itself.
