New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-04
HERE AND THERE IN LONDON
OBSERVATIONS AND IMPRESSIONS OF
RECENT TRAVELLER.
London, August %.


London, August %.
a. -, tho things that is certain 10 I'M
ross tho American abroad Is the prevailing
rouen.ss OF the people with whom he comes IN con-
tact The common courtesies OF HE seem 10 nave
reached a higher stage of development III Europe IMAM
IN America. The London policeman or ooD0''
&c ALWAYS willing TO give such Information rs Hes III
his mower without any OF the air or cohdeScensio"
that Is apt to mark his New-iork cohgener uhu'r
s,hstantlally similar circumstances and conditions
The conductor Of the bus asks for your rare III tone
Of politenesS always accompanied ny ucicrehla'
ap,easen When your ticket Is taken up on leaving
n boat or passing out Of railway stauoh' IL Is ho'
nfreouen,ly received with THANK you "noh
certain IN leave in the travellers mind the Impression
.ba, ,houcb English corporations, like those OF
America may be soulless. this Is not the case win
their emploves or servants the phrase runs IN ms
country.
This same politeness which must be set down rs
national Characteristic, is observable In the phrass
OF notices to the public corresponding TO those In our
marks which are usually couched In The Imperative
mood" Keen of the grass.n had been told before
leaving America that ] would not see such no'ce
In all England 1t is true that In TINS iaho OF MOST
climate which IS without extremes OF heat ana cod'
the grass grows with luxuriance cloSenesS ana me
moss that are surprising Americans. and that In the
par1,s people may be allowed to walk upon IL "iu
much greater freedom than ON the other side OF the
Atlantic Al the same time pedestrians are warned
here and there not tread 1t beneath their feet but
the warning IS almost invariably courteous IN Tone
I remember seeing In Kew Gardens THIS noucc'
Keen of the Grass Edge" meaning the border, but
II is quite uncommon far us my observation goes 10
find such brusQue form OF expression USED. III "
mark at bennington IT put In this way "fou are
Requested not to Walk upon The Nerges.' ferhAP"
the most striking notice OF this kind TO be seen III
England IS that displayed number OF times In the
beautiful gardens at Hampton Court. which are fire.
auented by large crowds every sunday. II is com
prehensve relating, OF course to shrubs trees, flowers
etc and runs as follows: " 1t is Expected that the
public will Protect what is Intended for Public En-
iovmentp There Is Il model which some American
park authorities might study with pront TO themselves
and to the people who visit the grounds under their
charge. In ST. Paus Churchyard there Is this notice:
The Public Respectfully Requested not TO Feed
the Pigeons on the Grass or Flower Beds"
The prodlgious volume OF traffic IN the streets OF
London is constant source OF surprise 10 the new
conner There is no better way OF seeing the
mightlest city in the world than from the top OF
OF the buses which everywhere at all hours of the
day, but not Of the night. New Yorker, accustomed
to alnight elevated trains and street cars, Is
prlscd TO find, In this city, that after midnight few
buses to be seen, and that some Of them 20 out
OF commission by IL o'clock, or earlier, while at
all much later than a. m. How Is late
traveller TO get about town ?"is question that naturally
arises The Is 10 be found in the muludinous
cabs that apparently neither slumber nor sleep-that
Is to say their drivers do not; and cannot but
wonder when the poor horses get chance to rest.
The cabs revelation to the foreigner from
the Atlantic, not only by their number but By the
moderate scale OF charges In vogue This Is nIoder-
ate even after adding the extra sixpence which the
driver usually asks from who does not seem to
know the ropes thoroughly who has not accurately
Informed himself In advance TO the length of his
Journey. over the smooth and welkept pavements
hansoms by the thousand hurry along threading their
way in truly marvellous fashion among the numer-
vehicles that constantly throng the streets. Look.
ing down upon the moving mass from the point Of
vantage afforded by q seat the roof Of bus,
cannot help wondering how any progress is really made
through the crowded streets, and how 1t Is that acct
dents Of constant occurrence
Recently published statistics state that during last
year there were five persons killed the railways OF
England while during the same time there 147
killed in the streets Of London. TO a stranger OBJ
serving the jam In streets like the Strand and
Fleets the marvel is that larger number than 147
not killed. These streets and many others
paved with wood and the cabs in particular descend
upon the unwary pedestrian I'm an almost noseless
manner In crossing these crowded streets. tho
pedestrian takes his life In his hand If II not
for the refugees, "islands," they have
been termed, In the middle of the streets at important
crossings going from side Of street to the other
would frequently be exceedingly perilous. These
feet In extent; they raised few inches above the
street level and protected by post at each corner
In the centre there Is usually lamp post. At the
first glance It would that these things would be
n serious obstruction TO the movement OF vehicles and
perhaps they are; but they emphasize II conspicuous
fact In Overwhelmingly, the regard for human life
which is displayed here in many ways. OF course, the
practice Of turning TO the left instead OF the right Is
confusing to American at first but when he has
escaped from the line OF cabs, buses, drays etc,
moving I'm direction and take refuge on one Of
these islands," he has n chance 10 his breath
and to choose a good opportunity for making break
for the further sidewalk.
What called private hotels aboune In London.
The first question at some OF them Is! "Are you
recommended p That means, Have you been sent
here from regular hotel which has all OF its
rooms occnplcd7' But you not requested to
show any written recommendation. Your word Is
quite sufficient. These private hotels are really
boarding houses lodging houses, and the guest IS
expected 10 take his breakfast In the house, but
other In one Of the private hotels the
Strand the following notice appears upon the walls
requested give at least Twelve Hours notice previous
10 their departure, ono night Will be charged
sympathetic stranger going about London will
not fail to have his feelings aroused by the calamity
that threatens TO overwhelm Bill Suckers. Poor Bit
Bill Suckens Will Be Prosecuted" No particulars
given TO his offence. but then there IS all
the more room for the play of the Imagination. Tho
fate of Bin sckers Is truly melancholy 10 contemplate.