Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-02-24
NOTES BY THE WAY.
Special Correspondence Of the Standard.
LONDON. ENGLAND.

Special Correspondence Of the Standard.
LONDON, ENGLAND.
Taking the evening train from
Paris, nothing worthy of note oc-
ours until we arrive ut Dieppe. The
rain was falling in torrents, and the
wind was blowing q perfect gale.
One or two vessels had just como
into the harbor with their sails carried
away, SO that the chances for a very
rough night on the English Channel
were decidedly imminent With this
prospect, I enquired for the most
convenient hoted, concluding to re-
main over in hopes of securing a
more favorable passage on the NOR
row. The storm had abated some
what, still the sea was quite rough,
and the steamers deck was more
than once washed by the waves OF
the sea. The time occupied in cross
ing the channel was six hours. At
New Haven we again took the cars
and were soon whirled over the line
to London.
As my stay in London was to
be somewhat protracted, secured
apartments on York Road, very
near Westminster Bridge, and just
across the Thames from Westmin-
lister Palace. I chose this locality
on account of the central position
in relation to the large hospitals
which / desired to visit,
The true origin of London is I'M
known. It is supposed, however, to
have been founded at q period long
anterior to the Chistian era. Il was
conquered by the Romans as early
as A. D. 81, who enclosed the city
with stone wall, and retained pos
session of it until about the middle Of
the fifth century, when it again be-
came British town. London lies
principally in valley surrounded by
gently rising hills. The city proper
is confined within comparatively mar
row limits, but its extension in va
rious directions has gradually alb
sorbed numerous towns and villas es,
until London, as it is usually re-
garded, now comprises an area Of
122 square miles, an6 is about thirty
miles in circumference. This inn
mense human hive contains q popu.
lation of over $500, 900 of inhabit-
ants. The Thames, flowing from
West to East through the city, and
dividing it into two nearly equal
halves, has given general direc-
ton to the streets, the principal OF
which in great measure runs parallel
with the river, while the shorter
streets branch from them. The
houses present a sombre and rather
dingy aspect, owing to the immense
quantities of coal fuel which is used.
In sanitary point of view, London
compares favorably with many of the
other large cities of the world, but
not when compared with our cities
of the Pacific coast. The annual rate
of mortality is one in fifty. 1t is
estimated that child is born every
five minutes, while death occurs
every eight minutes.
In attempting to describe the chief
objects of interest coming under my
observation, I shall do so without
any regard to the order in which il
was my privilege to visit them.
WESTMINSTER PALACE.
This, in many respects, is one Of
the most remarkable structures Of
the age. The old Houses of Parlia-
ment were destroyed by fire in 1884,
and the first stone of the new palace
was laid in April, 1910. The palace
is situated on the banks Of the
Thames, extending along the river
front for 900 feet, and covers an
area of nearly eight acres. 1t was
built ct the immense cost over &c.
100000. In order to gain admission,
I found it necessary to secure ticket
at the Office OF the Lord High Cham
bsrlain, which is situated in one part
of the building. The chief place Of
entrance is by Westminster Hall,
passing through st. Stephans Porch
and Hall, to the great Central Hall.
| Il run UoI0 u COIIlUOT u tu0 NOTtO
leads to the House of Commons, aud
on the South leads to the House Of
Lords.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
This is magnificent and imposing
apartment, ninety feet in length, by
forty-6ve feet wide and high, and
is surround by galleries which d.
minish its apparent size.
The Cathedral Hall, which is the
great hall Of communication between
the two Houses Of Parliament, il 60
feet in length by 63 feet in height,
and in an architectural point Of view,
az also in the character Of its enrich
ments, is Of most imposing charac.
ter.
THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
| This is one third larger than the
House of Commons and 10 profussly
painted and gilt, with windows Of