The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson (Part 8)

[drykid]

Found this. If you look for links they seem to be some type of torch.
http://www.victorianlondon.org/weather/fog.htm

kaysii

Ahh that helped a lot thanks. Although if I'm reading that correctly the "link" may not be the torch itself so much as the service offered by the link boy, who will guide you home with his torch for a small fee.  There's a couple of pics on there too:





Actually I should read that whole page when I get a chance.  The extract from "Cruickshank's Comic Almanack" - second one down - is amusing

[alpinecottage]

Great London Smog

During the 19th century, the increase in industrialisation in the major cities of Britain gave rise to a dramatic increase in air pollution. Throughout the autumn months, during periods of calm, smoke particles from industrial plumes would mix with fog giving it a yellow-black colour. Such smogs, as they became known, often settled over cities for many days. Wind speeds would be low at these times causing the smog to stagnate, with pollution levels increasing near ground level. London became quite famous for its smogs, and many visitors came to see the capital in the fog. 
From http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/eae/air_quality/older/Great_London_Smog.html

The Clean Air Acts spoiled all the fun!

[Dinkydidy]

There is a good description of the origin and use of links here, including some pictures:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link-boy

Didy

[Mongibello]

Even in the 1950s & 60s driving in London at this time of year could be a bit difficult.    Bus conductors sometimes had to walk in front with a torch (electric version) to guide the driver.   Even then my wife once had to redirect a bus which had taken the wrong turning.   

[drykid]

There is a good description of the origin and use of links here, including some pictures:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link-boy

Didy

Ah thanks again; that pretty much covers all aspects of it.

So it seems that link boys were a standard night time feature anyway due to the lack of proper street lighting, what makes it noteworthy in Nat's entry is that the fog was so bad that on this occasion they were employed in the daytime too.

[Ruskie]

I love learning about all these things through Nathaniel's diary. 

[Ruskie]

It's very disappointing that there is yet another day with no diary entry. 

[deb usa]

 

I'm with you Ruskie! ... I also loved the info on the London Fog and Smoke aka Smog!

the Link Boys were fascinating!!!!!! i can't imagine children of that age working today... I have a 16 and 12 year old .... getting them to to make their beds is HUGE undertaking!

deb

[Mongibello]

Yes, Deb, but think what it was like out there in the fog knowing your patch and being able to make some money by guiding those blundering adults!    I used to quite like th fog, but then I was a healthy youngster, not asthmatic or bronchitic.   Thousands of elderly people died in London even in the 1950s, until we had smokeless fuel instead of coal.