London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
SPENDING BANK HOLIDAY IN LONDON.
ON the first Monday in August all Londoners enjoy, officially, the last summer outing for the year. If the weather be fine, thousands and thousands go rushing into the country on pleasure bent. The rail and the boat carry them miles and miles away. Before the day is over an immense number of our fellow countrymen are able to boast that they have been to France and back. A glance at the advertisement columns of the weekly papers on or about this time will show how many and varied are the distractions of North and south, east and west, people can go to see their friends or to renew acquaintance with that universal benefactress, Dame Nature, in her country residence. My accomplished friend, Mr. Ashby Sterry, has shown us in his how many delightful excursions may be made near poor old London. | |
246 | Town to most Englishmen (and in the term I include Scots, Irish, and Welsh) is at all times a charming spot. I use the adjective advisedly. There is something absolutely about the accessories of London. A native is accustomed to the magic of the two great cities, and expresses no surprise. But the country cousin (who frequently knows his London infinitely better than his metropolitan relative) finds genuine subjects for wonderment in such places as the Tower, the Crystal Palace, the National Gallery, the group of Government exhibitions in South Kensington, and the British Museum. So, in spite of the rival attractions of the provinces, I contend that our little village has many claims upon our attention. London is not half a bad place to recreate in, but (to quote a song already old) Even on a Bank Holiday life can be lived profitably in town. |
