Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-02-11
LONDON'S ODD CORNERS.

THREE eAReeo ARROWS FOR ALL
SERVICES"
The Strand and Its Fullness Of Life-Tbe
savoy. . Street Named After Peter Of
ssvoy-The Grant Of Land He Got from
King Henry Ill.
Especial Correspondcncel
LONDON, Jan. a0.-The majority OF Ameri-
sans in Londcn, true to their national in
stincts, are driven at once on arrival to one
or another of the great hotels that have risen
In these later years on the ruins Of quiet old
inns, the fashion of which has passed with
tho elder generation that knew them Tho
modern hotel looks 10 America for its model,
and the travelling American, who has now he
come an established feature of London life,
and who filings about his money with reck-
iessness amazing oven to the best seasoned
waiter, has no thought Of being less comfort
able than at home, and demands tho Same
environment Mt every p'int, no matter how
remote. For this order cf American the real
London is sealed book He sees lis SIGHTS,
takes in all that an outside view of the West
End. Of Pail Mall. Of Eotton Row and all
other fashionable knunts may afford. and
passes on to deal with continental cities on
the same principle. He has seen the outer
husk Of everything, and why concern HIM
self as to tho size or favor of n possible
kernel, In fact, it is definitely settled in his
mind thnt the kernel. If there be one. is stale
and withercd, and by no means worth tho
trouble Of discovery, and SO he proceeds on
his way contentedly, to be succeeded by re-
lays Of the same mind.
1t is well for America that this ever flow
ing stream is, in more senses than one. a shall
how one. and that wc are not to he judged by
its rush, and sound, and swirl But the
wiser American, who retreats with spced
from any contact with these wander ing
wealth dispensers, looks upon them in the
':hance encounters that occur with n pity
that Scepens as each day Of the real London
shows what treasures they have missed: yet
smiles, remembering how speedy is our leap
into better knowledge, and how surely some
part, at least, Of the next generation Of their
descendants will return to seek out what tho
fathers rejected
All this, because Q party Of excessively un-
pleasant Americans on the steps Of the Hotel
Me:ropole announced loudly to q quiet
gentle ian standing near them:
THE Strandi What in the world should
We go to the Strand fort I'd as soon think of
walking down Grand street in New York to
sec sights. No; We are going over 10 Regent
street for some shopping, and then to ST.
James palace to see the queens jubilee pres
entA Won't you comet"
Thank you, very much; not today re-
turned the quiet gentleman, looking after
them with . little twinkle in his eyes. and
thea moving OF leisurely toward the despised
locality. There are sights even in Grand
street, New York /" for whoever has eyes to
Sc, but for the Strand itself one comes L.. 10
long space of time to feel positive affection,
and wonders no longer at wha, had hereto
fore seemed the infatuation Of Charles Lamb
and DR.. johnson and many another lover Of
London.
Sir said the weighty old photographer,
seated with Boswell in Nitro tavern, near
Temple Bar, the happiness Of London is not
to be conceived but by those who have been in
IL will venture TO say there is morc learn
Ing and science within the circumference O:
ten miles from where Sc sit, than in all the
rest Il the kingdom"
And misfortunes, be might have added, his
own ups and downs forming no inconsider-
able part Of the sadness which was in the Efc
Of most literary workers of that day But, like
many another broodinS and melancholy
temperament, he found stimulus and solace
in throng, and his blood stirred to the throb
Of life in Fleet street and the Strand, and
wherever the city and its rush and roar were
dominant. The same fascination seizei and
held Charlotte Bronte, who, timidly as she
shrunk from people, opened her heart to the
ancient places, and. chiefest Of all, cared for
this city and its sights and sounds.
II have seen the West End. the parks the
dnc squares" she wrote, but love tho city
Tar better. The city seems SO much more in
earnest: its business, its rush, its roar, are
such serious things, sights, sounds. The city
is getting its living-thc West End but enjoy
ing its pleasure. At tho West End you may
he amused; but in the city you srs deeply e1-
cited
The Strand, and this must always include
Fleet street on to Ludgate hill and tho cathe-
dral, which is the heart Of the city. must al
ways bold this power, and day after day it
gains upon one till the capricious words Of
Charles Lamb give out the innermost truth
that lay at the heart Of 20 many Of his ca
prices, and his cockneyish affection for paw.
ing stones resolves itself into something
higher, and shows its real face as love and
sorrow for all humanity in its comings and
goings in this great artery Of the city life Il
have passed all my days in London" he wrote
to Wordsworth, until have formed as many
and as intense local attachments as any of
you mountaineers can have done with dead
nature. The lighted shops of the Strand and
Fleet street, the inuumcrable trades, trades.
men and customers. coaches. wagons, play
houses; all the hustle and wickedness round
about Covent Garden. The impos-
sibility Of being dull in Fleet street: the
crowds, the very dirt and mud, the sun shin
Ing upon houses and pavements, the print
shops, the old book stalls, parsons cheapening
books, coffee houses, steams of soup from
kitchens, the pantomimes. London itself a
pantomime and a masquerade-all these
things work themselves into my mind and
feed me without n power Of satiating me
The wonder Of these sights impels me into
night walks about her crowded streets, and
often shed tears IN the motley Strand from
fullnes Of JOY at SO much life"
1t is because there is so much life, and ap-
parently no escape from its tumuls and press,
that one finds with amazement, not two min-
utes away, little space, silent and remote
Us if centuries lay between it and the busy
street And, indeed. they do. 1t is a steep
httle street. lonely and dull, traverSed only
by drays and given over to printing Offices,
glass manufactures and pickle warehouses,
and yet it has felt the feet of bishops and
kings, knights and ladies, and the rush of
mcb with sword and fire. 1t is the Savoy,
owing its foreign name to Peter of Savoy,
uncle Of Eleanor, queen of Henry III, and
no less a n,arauder and robber than the rest
Of the greedy host, Frenchmcn and Savoy