Week 4

Sunday May 14, 1880
The Battle of Westminster Bridge! The general strike that the Trades Union Congress began last week continues unabated, with demands currently not met, Edith Keyes & Violet Benjamin led a march of Parliament last Sunday. The march briefly broke into violence between strikers & the Metropolitan Police, the source of which was traced back to police collaborator Martin Keene beginning an altercation with strikers where a bottle was thrown, injuring a member of the Metropolitan Police. However, we are pleased to note outside of light bruises, no serious injuries have been reported. It was after this melee that the recently kidnapped industrialist, Guinevere Green reappeared, protected from serious injury despite the violence around her by the Angel of Westminster Bridge, Violet Benjamin, who provided medical attention to her on the scene with injuries consistent with a heavy beating, or truncheoning. While the Metropolitan Police are yet to make an official statement, our sources inside Scotland Yard report that Guinevere Green is suffering from a state of memory loss, likely caused by the trauma of her recent kidnapping and violence carried out against her last Sunday. Charity Gala at Village Fete A charity fundraiser for Dr. Wren Blackwell’s charity, the Society for Public Health and Better Living, took place at the Village fete outside the Crystal Palace this weekend. Miss Wilhelmina Mink, one of its organizers, declared that “Attendance is open to all even with the most minor of donation,” however many lower class patrons of the fete found this rather frustrating as they could not afford even something small.

Still, the event was a success, due largely to the efforts of the coordinating team, led by Dr. Michael Sinclair. The event was a perfect way to kick off the opening of the Crystal Palace Exhibition.

Lights in the Sky

Unexplained lights were seen shooting over the sky of London, with several formerly credible eyewitnesses insisting they saw a strange metal craft flying above the city. One citizen opined that this alleged machine was in fact a visitor from Mars. John Ogilvy of the Royal Society of Astronomy dismissed this claim, saying ‘We are in no danger. There can be no living thing on that remote, forbidding planet. The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million-to-one.’

Moore Scandal Victor seems to have finally made up his mind, society gossip indicating that he and Ms. Jemisha Burke are courting, much to the dismay of Sir Charles Moore. The Moore’s continue to be embroiled in scandal as rumours abound that Jemisha Burke is involved in an illegal underground fighting ring. Sir Moore should be concerned with the safety of his son.

Sir Moore himself may have his eye on a new suitor. Ms. Vanessa Grey has been seen hanging around Charles like a vulture this weekend. Though it has barely been a few weeks since his wife was put in the ground, she’s been seen having visits to the Moore estate. One witness even claims he saw them playing cards and laughing!

Green Revolution? Londoners are baffled by the sudden appearance of shrubbery in the streets and trees grown where none have been before. Experts struggle to explain this sudden growth of plant life, hoping that perhaps it means a more bountiful harvest this year.

Smog Alert The weather continues to challenge outdoor events and naval expeditions, as the smog remains heavy and oppressive. Several hospitalisations have already occurred as a result. Please be careful out of doors as visibility has been severely impacted.

Essayist Stabbed Someone seems particularly displeased about college student Nora Mather’s publication, as she was attacked again this week. Ms. Mather was brutally stabbed with a fountain pen, nearly costing her her life. She was recovering in the hospital and thus unable to comment, however the Metropolitan Police were able to take a statement from her, reporting that due to her injuries, her memory of the event is unclear and she could not provide details of her attacker. They assure the public of their safety but ask anyone with information about this or other paper or pen related attacks to come forward. '

Suspected Cholera Cases Rise Additional cases of illness have been reported this week, though the disease seems to be targeting familial groups, including famous explorer Odie Smith. Several doctors report that the disease is not cholera, given, among other things, how slow it has seemed to spread, but they are unable to identify what exactly it is at this time. '

PERSONAL, &c.
BARONESS MARIPOSA is delighted to recommend Mr Ezra Godwin for all your creative, mechanical, and engineering needs. An excellent craftsman, and one of the sharpest minds in design at the moment.

DELIGHTED THEATREGOERS: Two new unexpected stars appear to have risen in the opera. Delighted theatregoers report that on Wednesday night, Baroness Annabelle Mariposa and Dr. Robert Hayward gave a surprise performance. Dressed as Persephone and Hades, they closed the show with a moving duet in French. At least this pleased theatregoer hopes that we will see more of them! Reports that Ms Castelli are missing are exaggerated; she’s in hiding after witnessing this duo's passion and raw talent!

DR. ROBERT MATHEW HAYWARD-- will offer FREE TREATMENT to any victims of police brutality. This is IN ADDITION to the timeslot of free treatments to the lower classes (Wednesdays, 3-7pm) and not limited to that.

ANONYMOUS-- The dead have been seen climbing out of their graves in Highgate Cemetery!"

ANONYMOUS--"Devilish beasts stalk our fair London, disease grips its people and godless chaos ensues on a nightly basis. Is this the end of the civilised world as we know it?"

ANONYMOUS -- These wretched havens of Dione’s are a hotbed of vagrants, criminals and guttersnipes. All citizens are advised to watch your wallets! They are a blight on the city and an affront to good order.

STORY OF LONDON-- Keep an eye out for the Story of London, contained inside new decorative wooden boxes that dot the street corners of the city. Each box highlights a local resident, well known and respected in the community and contains free books, information and other items of interest. Please take what you can and leave what you can, and check back for new stories. A map to the Story of London can be found at Benjamin's Bereavements.