The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-02
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1888.
NEW YEAR In ENGLAND.
An Exile Makes Rapid Visit Home and
Participates in the Festivities.
Description of the Interesting Scenes
Which He Witnessed.

Description of the Interesting Scenes
Which He Witnessed.
After having experienced the pleasure, ant
may add the miseries of a sea voyage, anC
being vigorously overhauled by the British
custom-house officers, | descended the steam
er's galley on to the landing stage and hac
nv foot upon Old England shore once more
Again should see those parents that loved
the many friends who cared for me, should
grasp their hands in friendship and partake O
the good English cheer.s~Consulting the rail
way time tables, found that had yet sever
al hours to spare before | could take the mid
night mail train to the great city-as London
is frequently called-and having an inclina-
ton to recruit the inner man on good English
fare, hailed cab TO convey me to the
Washington hotel, the usual headquarters OF
the American visitor in England. A cab, |
should explain, is an equivalent to San An
tonic hack, that is it is a vehicle for public
hire. but when you have said that the COM
parison ceases. Instead of finding hand
some. capacious landau, drawn by two good
horses. YOU haye in the cab a small vehicle,
ordinarily NOT over clean or in good condition,
drawn by spawned broken-winded, or worse
still, broken-down. horse, driven often by by
no means accommodating or civil man. The
cab passed from the Mersey side up James
street, down Dale street, thence to the hotel.
Here was enabled to get good bath, change
my attire and partake OF a really good
luncheon washed down by genuine 'alf and
'alf, composed Of real Guinness stout and
Bass bitter beer, and not the vilIainouS COM
pound which is sold as such in this city. A
Jew glasses Of - "a port" made me feel some
what comfortable, and | eagerly waited the
departure of the train. To pass away time |
went on to the balcony. From there beheld
a view that wish many OF my fellow-citlzenS
could see, for it would stir up in them the
spirit of emulation and lead to an improve
ment in the aspect of the Alamo City. From
the balcony | could see the sidewalks which
were broad and well laid, the streets in excel
lent condition, bevelled at either end to allow
the water to run off in the perfect drainage
system on both sides, St. Georges hail,
a large and handsome building belonging
the city where Judge Of assize holds his cour.
and where concerts balls, etc, are held in the
finest salon in the world, costing over a mil
lion and a half dollars. Thorney crofts
equestrian statues of Queen Victoria and
Prince Albert, each costing fifteen thousand
dollars, Lawson's monument to the great
Duke of Wellington, Sir William Brown
free library and museum (cost $3.50, ooOj
where any one may sit aud read all the papers
and best books free of charge, the Plcton
reading room (cost $3.50, ooo) where can be
found many thousand Of rare fine Volumes
which can also be consulted, and where espe-
cial provision is made for the studies ofyoung
men, journalist, etc. who wish to write as
well as read, the Walker art gallery (cost Ioo,-
ooo) in which are exhibited sculptures, paint
ings, etc, The Alexandra theatre, the foun-
dation stone of which was laid in my presence
by Madame Titiens, and the magnificent ter
minus and hotel of the London and North
Western railway company, known as "Lime
street station" which is built in the elegant
Frencl Renaissance style of architecture,
Most OF the buildings are the gifts OF public
individuals, and are all Of useful and orna-
mental character and could not help think
ing that some of .oour citizens would do them
selves, and the city honor by emulating the
good example. As | stood there admired
the granduer of the scene but felt sad and
lonely. Many pleasant recollection of happy
hours spent in the city Of Liverpool, Of the
many kind friends had there, some Of whom
had crossed the golden shore, crowded upon
me, and the closing darkness of an English
winters day was not likely to mitigate my
sadness. So returned to my room wrote
and appraised some friends of my visit, and
then Joined the table d'hote of the hotel, so
well known by its excellence. This done,
ought enjoyment in the Alexandra theatre
IN which, like all newspaper men, was a
welcome "dead head" Il is not a very large
theatre only holding upwards of fifteen huH-
dred people. The prices of seats is from six
pence-welve cents, to two guineas-ten dollars,
and are termed as boxes stalls, Pit Amphi-
theatre, dress circle and galleries, and accord
ing to the price paid more CONVENIENT and
comfortable is secured. When | visited the
theatre a Pantomime founded on a popular
nursury, rhyme was being enatgd. Not the
mere'mimic with,,which Of Pylades and Bathyl-
us delighted the Romans, or the 10th century
Masque, but the solid English pantomirne
after Richs style that delights alike man and
child, woman and grl, in which there are
pretty girls handsomely dressed, good come
dams, witty dialogues, replgte with
local and political hits, good coi0a,
comic ditties, clever dances, and ihe
comicalities Of 'Joey" the clown.
pantaloon, harlequin and columbine, and