The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-08-30
OUR FOREIGN LETTER.
Rev. Mr.. Fisher in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND, August, 1876.
Editors 1u,ellIsencer: +.
The first impression Of foreigner who
visits London is apt to be one OF disap'
pointment. This is not a handsome city.
While there are comparatively few fits
buildings which are very shabby, there
are not many which in point Of architec-
ture arc really grand oreyen beautiful.
The palaces themselves in this particular
hardly fulfill a reasonable expectation.
Even when a really fine house Is built, it
soon externally becomes dingy by reason
Of the smoke which discolors everything.
do not recall street here Which in
point OF external appearance would COM
pare iayorably with many which have
seen in some OF the better cities Of our
own country. But this feeling Of disap-
pointment is apt very soon to give place
10 one OF wonder. or possibly Of bewilder-
ment. II arises from recognition OF the
immensity Of the place. London, as to
its size, is good deal like the Atlantic.
One may read about it and thereby form
an idea that the ocean is very wide, but
not until we actually cross It do we really
begin to comprehend It's extent. And in
like manner one must visit this mighty
metropolis before he can appreciate its
magnitude. Let this be done and the
impression Is sureto be very vivid. Even
when ysu get map and examine It with
reference 10 streets and particular locali-
ties which you desire to see, the question
is apt again and again to arise whether
you can ever be safe from losing yourself
amid this wilderness OF houses.
THE VARIETY OF LONDON.
But the longer you remain, provided
you really try to master the situation,
The more you are attracted toward the
place. London has in Il an abundance
10 interest all sorts OF people. 1t does
not matter what may be your dominant
taste, in all likelihood you can crafty it
here as well, II not better, than anywhere
else in the world. There Is on earth no
city TO be compared with it. One town
may excel II in some one particular, and
another in some other, but none combine
40 much that is OF interest and profit TO
every kind OF people.
SIZE.
Perhaps 1t may be we'll for me to men.
ton few items which 60 TO show its
magnitude, The actual territory covered
by Il can not DO very readily estimated,
because Of the arms which, in the shape
OF towns and villages, it sends out in all
directions into the surrounding country.
lts,circumierence Is popularity said TO be
thirty miles. Asdefned by the Registrar.
General, 1t has On area OF one hundred
and twenty-five miles. The postal SER
vice includes all places within circuit
OF twelve miles. II we accept the Regis.
trar.G Generals definition Of the territory
as correct, the number OF inhabitants Ia
somewhere between three and a half and
four millions. These occupy half mil
lion Of houses, which again are arranged
into nearly eleven thousand streets,
squares, and the like. The popular
guide-books will also tell you that in
London a child is born every FIVE min;
utes, and that somebody dies every eight
minutes. Another and sadder state
ment usually added is that Of all this
vast population about one in six dies in
hospitals, prisons and warehouses. And
90 I mlght1ill sheets with statistics which
are calculated TO impress US with the
magnitude Of this place. -
THE CENTRE OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD.
But London Is far more than great
city In point OF size. tits the metropolis
Of Great Britain. And that, 1t should DO
remembered, is saying great deal. The
sun really never sets on the empire, over
which Victoria reigps. It's however, not Of
England alone or eyen'of England Wales,
Scotland and Ireland combined ihatt
Ia tho capitol, but also of Canada, British
America, Australia, India, and many
other regions in different parts Of the
earth. This Ia The centre Of all that vast
dominion. And even when We have said
this we have fallen short Of the whole
truth, London Is the metropolis OF the
civilized globe. This assertion holds good,
no matter whether We consider It in pc.
litical, religious, philmthropical, literary
commercial or social point Of view.
There are two, localities where one can
learn this truth with special advantage,
because Il Ia there 80 very pslpable TO the
eye. One Of these & the neighborhood Of
the Bank OF England There within a
circuit which can DO walked in half an
hour, with the god lady in Threadneedle
stree" as a centre, the monetary interests
Of almost every part Of the world are
represented. l have, when trayersing
that part Of the city been arrested by the
signs upon the doors. In the same