THE SOUTH SEA HOUSE - Charles Lamb
This essay “The South Sea House” was published in 1820, by the well known prose writer Charles Lamb, in The London Magazine. The author shares his personal experience in the South Sea House, which was established in 1710.
The South Sea House which was located in between the Bank and the Flower pot grasp everyone’s attention. The Melancholy, handsome and brick stone building which is very next to Bishopsgate is get noticed by everybody. The magnificent structure, the garden with the huge pillars, looks so desolate, like Balclutha.
Once this building was a busy trade center. Merchants used to gather here and gain a lot of profits. But there is no life in it now. Though the porticoes and the staircases are well maintained only very few people use it. In the committee rooms the pictures of officers and doorkeepers are still found and the timber tables are damaged a little. Even the material that is used to cover the tables are also faded.
The oak covered walls are used to be occupied with the pictures of governess of Queen Anne and the monarch of Brunswick dynasty. Huge charts of discoveries and map of Mexico and Bay of Panama were also found in these rooms. Buckets were hung which were capable enough to put out any fire. Dollars and shillings flourished in the South Sea House long back. It stood has a magnificent monument some 40 years back.
But the present state of the South Sea House was in a very deteriorating condition. The small pond that is inside this monument is stagnated and full of dirt. The moths have destroyed the books over there and all the books were layered with dirt. Only on very few occasions these books are being touched. When compared with the present prosperity of the city, the South Sea House seems to be in a very pitiable condition. But still it is charming.
The author describes the accounts book of the South Sea House. The accounts that were found in those books would be a challenging one for the present day accountants. It will scarce the present day accountants. The books consisted of three columns and they are with rubric interlacing. All the accounts book were started with divine words. Without those divine blessing, they never started anything. Few of the accounts book are covered with vellum and they are well maintained. The ivory handled pen knives are the best ever that can be found.
The Clerks in the South Sea House, 40 years back are in themselves a rare species. Most of them are bachelors and they have a curiosity for everything. Each one has their own habits and oddities. A normal person is denied entry in the South Sea house. Here the author compares the South Sea House to the Noah’s Ark. Few of the clerks were fluent in Germany too.
The author then starts telling about one of the cashiers named Evans. He is a Welsh. Though his face looks to be irritated always he is a worthy and sensible man. His hair is little frizzed and dried. In the forenoon, the cashier used to sit in his counter with a melancholy look and count the cash with trembling hands. He had a doubt on everyone around him. But he is a totally different person in the Anderton’s coffee house. He used to be very sociable and hence his picture is found in this coffee-house. Once the clock struck 6, he used to rush up home and enjoy his time with his family members. Eating a muffin cake he used to share and discuss about the secret history and about the old and New London. His knowledge in history in far more superior that the antiquarian Pennant. He used to tell about Louis XIV and about the people who suffered under his kingdom.
Next the author describes about the accountant John Tipp. He never bothered about richness and according to him an accountant job is the most prestigious job ever. He loved to play songs in his fiddle except that of the Orphean. He used to eat cold mutton piece and lemon juice and enjoyed his own song. But in the bank he is quite different person. Speaking soothingly or reading a newspaper in the office is a greatest sin. His main job is writing warrant. During the year end closing his mind, days and nights are occupied with his accounts work. He saw to it that even the shillings account was balanced perfectly. His pen has never done mistake. His work made him to forget all his problems. He took oath to safeguard the right of the people who knew little of the rules of the bank. Though he is little timid his timidity affects himself and not others. He is never used to richness and he never used to forsake his friendship or principles for anyone.
The author next tells about Henry Man, who was the deputy secretary during 1793. He is a man of letters and the author of few books. The author wondered what this man of letters did in the South Sea House. His gibes and jokes are no more remembered but they are available in few books which the author bought recently from the Barbican Street. Though Henry Man’s thought seem to be outdated, they still are valued in the public ledger. His ideas are prominent in the British rebellious colonies.
Next the author gives a picture of Richard Plumer who was the deputy secretary during 1800. He was a humorous person. Though he belonged to the family of Plumbers of Hertfordshire, he cut off from his family occupation and became as a secretary. Because of this he was avoided by the Plumbers family. Richard Plumer used to remember Walter Plumer, who was one among his ancestor and who has achieved great success as a business man. Walter Plumer’s achievement was mentioned in Johnson’s “Life of Cave”. Richard Plumer was a good singer and his voice was like that of a flute and he used to sing pastoral poems. He used to sing the songs which were sung by a Shakespearean character, Amiens. But this great singer had met with an unexpected ending.
Though the author wants to share a lot more experience, he keeps them private and ends his beautiful memory of the South Sea House.
---HAPPY LEARNING----
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