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Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2024, 19 August 1880, Page 2

The struggle between the City Council and larrikinism with regard to Latimer square is entering upon its second stage. The Council have called in the aid of the police, to prevent these young goths from undoing the work that is being carried out. The Council have determined to render the square a credit to the city. The expense, before everything is finished will be something considerable, but, if the thing is done with taste, the money will bo well spent. The only people who are likely to regret the expenditure are the ardent footballers who were wont to disport their muscles and their kiekerbockers there on winter Saturday afternoons. Wo feel unfeignedly sorry for these gentlemen, for the game of football is a fine old English pastime, and a healthy and manly sport. But these athletes must go further afield for a ground, and leave the square to respectable middle ago, nursemaids and children. The enclosure will bo greatly improved in appearance, and will be of use every day of the week instead of only on occasions, Fathers of families will rejoice that they have a place in the east end of the city where they can send their offspring to besport themselves, with no apprehension that their young lives will be shortened by runaway cabs. In short, the work undertaken is a city improvement. But the mind of the larrikin looks upon any improvement with horror; as a thing to be combatted with to the death. The delight of obstructing all attempts in this direction is subtle and overpowering in the case of the larrikin. To sally out at midnight and pull up newly laid turf may not commend itself to the ordinary understanding as very exciting. But the understanding of the race we are alluding to is not ordinary. Its bump of destruction is overpowering, and the pure love of mischief is its leading idea. To argue with the race is useless. A policeman’s grip is the only description of logic it is capable of taking in. The Council are doing well in summoning to their aid the professors in this department. A short and decisive campaign will do much good and teach our young friends to confine their wit within due bounds.