The Charlotte Democrat., 1888-01-06
A Talk About London.

London, as all are aware, is the largest
city in the world, and the capital of the
British Empire. The population at the
census (lssD was 3,sl4,57l. Of this i'm
mense total of nearly four million human
souls the fair sex predominates, there be-
ing in the great metropolis nearly q quar-
ter of million more women than men. AS
compared with Paris, which ranks second
in size of tho cities of the world, it has
just double the population. For.ia space
of seventy square miles Lona on is Just a
network of streets, .aIleys ys = and, canals,
studded phere and there withza parks,
squares, markets, etc. AT the present
time there are considerably more than
5000 houses, and last year eighty-six
miles of houses were added to its Sts.
London is situated on both sides of the
Thames, the Middlesex and Surrey Coun-
ties being connected by nine bridges, all
of which are free from toll. The first of
these is London Bridge, fifty miles from
the mouth of the Thames. Below London
Bridge the only connection is the Thames
Tunnel of Sir Isaac Brunei, though two
more tunnels are about to be constructed.
On either side Of the river are numerous
stone embankments to protect the low
lying parts of the city in times of floods,
and these form pleasant promenades by
the side of the muddy river. The docks
on the Thames are very extensive, for
London ranks the largest seaport in the
empire. By railways the city is connect
ed with all parts of Great Britain. No
less than 1900 trains leave the stations
every twenty-four hours. OF these trains,
which are dispatched daily, 1850 serve
the suburbs and suburban region of
thirty miles round the underground rail-
way, as most of you have heard, is tun-
mel completely encircling the metropolis.
l may say that waiting at a station on
this line is not over pleasant; in fact, a
great many people never use this line on
account of the foul air likely to accumu-
late in the tunnel. The other means of
travelling are chiefly by omnibus and cabs,
| though tramways are to be found here
and there, but are not so extensively used
| as in American cities.
London is we'll supplied with places of
amusement, there being between thirty
and forty theaters, varieties and music
| halls innumerable, besides other attrac-
tions. The national institutions are all
worth visit. The British Museum is
probably the most interesting, then the
South Kengsington and Bethnel Greek
Museums, situated in different parts of the
city The National Picture Gallery con-
tains one OF the finest collection of paint
ings can be seen, all the old masters be-
ing represented, as also the modern paint
ers. Another point of interest is the
| Tower of London, where the crown jewels
are kept, and are open to public buildings
may be mentioned the Bank of England,
Royal Exchange, Royal Academy, the
| University, the law courts, and the two
finest buildings-St Paul's Cathedral and
the Houses OF Parliment. In st. PauPs
most of the British heroes are buried,
monuments erected to their memories fill
the exterior. Old Westminster Abbey,
where a number of Kings are buried, still
stands as erect as ever. The Queens resi-
depce, Buckingham Palace, is grand
building, finely situated, and has extensive
grounds. 1t we're needless to add it is
always we'll guarded by soldiers.
The monuments run In hundreds, the
most notable being the monument to COM
memorate the great fire of 1866 (the finest
view of the metropolis can be had from
the top). In monuments Nelson and
Wellington are the two England is proud
est of. The most handsome memorial is
the one erected to the memory of the
| queen q laLe nusOanu, Eluco NousoEt.
London can we'll boast of her hospitals
and dispensaries, all of which are support
ed by voluntary contributions. These are
scattered all over the city, the principal
ones being London, Guys, St. Thomas,
St. Bartholomew and st. George. In such
a crowded city it is necessary to have
public parks and open spaces for benefit
of the health OF the Inhabitants. There
are some seven or eight large parks, be-
sides smaller ones. Hyde Park is the
largest, and then Regents, where can be
found the Royal Geological Gardens, con-
tainiLg the largest collections of animals
in the world. The city is we'll protected
from foreign invasion by the numerous
forts at the Thames mouth, and for pub
lie safety by the well organized police
force numbering over $4,000. Stationed
in London are also several regiments oi
the army, including the Life Guard Cav
airy, the finest body of men the British
army possesses. e..
| Port Huron Mich w. Il.