LONDON LARRIKINISM.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2515, 29 April 1882, Page 3

LONDON LARRIKINISM.

Considerable attention has recently been given to the numerous outrages in our streols Ruffianism has been audaciously active. For years past there have been times and places

when (says the “ Argus ” correspondent) certain of the young folk hare thought fit to assemble and arrogate to themselves in rough horseplay the exclusive use of the pavement. Decorous Islington was for many months disturbed by this nuisance, and Sunday afternoon was chosen as the suitable hour of frolio The sport was presently imitated in other localities. But these disorderly proceedings were by and by surpassed by the movements of confederated gangs, which sometimes surprised the helpless passenger, and sometimes made war upon each other. The Thames Embankment wus the scene of many acts of semi-violence. It is a splendid roadway, the pride of our newer city. All London was startled however to hear a few weeks since that a lad from the south had been fallen upon by some roughs from the north, and beaten to death in their w ntonnoes. The two chief offenders have met with their punishment. This incident has served to stimulate inquiry. Not only have numerous outrages been perpetrated in the comparative gloom of this broad thoroughfare, but other stories as bad have come to light elsewhere. In the neighborhood of Hoxton three persons wore stabbed in one night. There ore indications also of a new spirit of combination in the lowest neighborhoods—to that a single policeman in the discharge of his duty may become liable to the attacks of a swarm of vagrants. Farther alarm was caused by the faot that in one fortnight eight dead bodice were taken out of the Thames along the lice of embankment. It is believed now that these were all cases of suicide, but the doings of the riverside gangs gave reason for inquiry. The subject has been brought up in Parliament, and additional police nave been distributed.