LINK BOYS WITH ELECTRIC TORCHES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2675, 22 January 1916, Page 11

LINK BOYS WITH ELECTRIC TORCHES

IN THE NIGHT GLOOM OF DAKKIiNED LONDON.

Tie night gloom of London has given rise to a new form of holiday. A dweller there became,so depressed by the Cimmerian darkness of London in these days that lie has acquired a strange x-ast-e in week ends. Bis work leaves him freo on Saturday; 011 which day he takes train to some remote provincial city beyond the reach of tho Zepps. Here, at nightfall, marching up and down woll-lit streets, he again knows the joys of gazing into a property illuminated shop. He indulges in this orgy of light for a couple of hours, then goes, to bed, returning on the morrow to London and gloom. Again the unprecedented darkness has caused an agitation to some, for tliey have been questioning the doctors as to whether darker London is going to prove beneficial or harmful to Londoners' eyesight. ■ With a praiseworthy, or, perhaps, professional, caution they mostly ■ agree that it will make very little difference. The overbright lights of some of tho streets in peace time were harmful,, they say, but it is not the outdoor so much as the indoor lighting that makes tho difference. ' • ; But it remained for the little Cockney boy t-o make tho most of tlie opportunity. In'tho darkness which'-shrouds thei streets of London on these nights an outlet has been provided for the revival of a boy's wiling of olden times, under modern conditions. : Investing a shilling in the purchase of an electric torch he has blossomed' out as a "link boy." Soon after nightfall he. takes up his position at the suburban : station ' and carefully scans the faces of arriving passengers. Espying a stranger, he advances, and, flashing his little electric torch,'offers to conduct the fresh arrival to . the desired quarter of the district. The police authorities are raising no objection to the uso of hand torches, providing they aro used with discretion, but the use-of a large lamp which thrpws beams; in all directions is striotly prohibited.