19 DECEMBER 1931, Page 12

A Hundred Years Ao-ct THE " SPECTATOR," DECEMBER l7111, 1831.

THE METROPOLIS.

Winter comes on, yet the aspect of London lacks the wonted cheerfulness of winter. There is much distress, we apprehend, among all who buy and sell for a livelihood. Whoever has looked at the terrible lists of bankrupts with which the Gazette has been crowded for some weeks past, may form an estimate of its extent ; but these lists are meagre compared with the number of partial insolvencies and private compositions, of which none are cognizant but the creditors. Since the panic of 1825, we believe credit has not been more shaken than it is at this present moment.

• One thousand nine hundred persons were summoned on Saturday to Hatton Garden, for non-payment of poor-rates, due at latlehoelmas to St. Pancras parish.