2-799-159 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A scene near Temple Bar, during the fog, 1844. Thick fog in the City of London. 'To say that darkness was visible would be to give but a faint idea of the aspect of things about seven o'clock. It was literally pitch dark, and therefore numbers of persons in all directions very appropriately lighted torches. In Fleet-street and the Strand, and the public thoroughfares, there was "confusion worse confounded". The omnibuses and other vehicles were obliged to proceed at a creeping pace, and foot-passengers, particularly timid ones, were detained some time at the crossings. Even in well-lighted streets, persons lost their way, for it was utterly impossible to see a yard in advance, and the gas-lights were totally eclipsed'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.