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THE CUSTOM-HOUSE
scene. More frequently, however, on ascending the steps,
you would discern–in the entry, if it were summer time, or
in their appropriate rooms, if wintry or inclement weather–
a row of venerable figures, sitting in old-fashioned chairs,
which were tipped on their hind legs back against the wall.
Oftentimes they were asleep, but occasionally might be heard
talking together, in voices between speech and a snore, and
with that lack of energy that distinguishes the occupants of
alms-houses, and all other human beings who depend for
subsistence on charity, on monopolized labor, or any thing
else but their own independent exertions. These old gentle-
men–seated, like Matthew, at the receipt of custom, but not
very liable to be summoned thence, like him, for apostolic
errands–were Custom-House officers.
Furthermore, on the left hand as you enter the front door,
is a certain room or office, about fifteen feet square, and of a
lofty height; with two of its arched
windows commanding a
view of the aforesaid dilapidated
wharf, and the third looking
across a narrow lane, and along a portion of Derby Street.
All three give glimpses of the shops of grocers, block-makers,
slop-sellers, and ship-chandlers; around the doors of which are
generally to be seen, laughing and gossiping, clusters of old
salts, and such other wharf-rats as haunt the Wapping of a
seaport. The room itself is cobwebbed, and dingy with old
paint; its floor is strewn with gray sand, in a fashion that has
elsewhere fallen into long disuse; and it is easy to conclude,
from the general slovenliness of the place, that this is a
sanctuary into which womankind, with her tools of magic,
the broom and mop, has very infrequent access. In the way of
furniture, there is a stove with a voluminous funnel; an old
pine
desk, with a three-legged stool beside it; two or three
wooden-bottom chairs, exceedingly decrepit and infirm; and,
–not to forget the
library,–on some shelves, a score or two
of volumes of the Acts of Congress, and a
bulky Digest of the
Revenue Laws
. A tin pipe ascends through the ceiling, and
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
Page citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/page/11932/
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