The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-19
ALL ABOUT LONDON.
Rev. Mr.. Silcox's Lecture on the Me-
tropOIis of the World.
a Wonderful City, the Home of the
Highest Culture and Most AFFECT
SquaIor and Misery.

The Congregational Church was well
filed last evening to hear Rev. ]. B.
Silcox's illustrated lecture on London"
Mr. Silcox promised his lecture with a
few remarks, stating that he would try
and act as guide and take his audience to
London. He thought it was a very easy
matter to lecture upon anything one
knew good deal about, and that it was
also easy to lecture upon something one
didn't know great deal about.
The stereopticon views shown were for
the most part unusually excellent. y
map of London was first thrown upon the
canvas, and it was followed by view of
Yosemite Valley. Mr.. Silcox said the
Yosemite is big thing, but London is
the biggest thing in the world. 1t is not
only the Capital Of England, but the
metropolis of the world. 1t does not be-
long to England alone, but is the prop
erty of the world. England was fortu-
nate in having the largest city in the
same sense that she was the home of
Shakespeare, but the city, like the great
poet, may be classed as belonging to the
universe.
To give his auditors an idea of Lon
don's magnitude, the lecturer stated that
lions, and it has been increasing for years
at the rate OF 100, 900 per year. A baby is
born every four minutes in the great city.
1t has fifty theatres and four hundred
music halls among its places of amuse-
ment. 1t is the best governed, best paved
and best lighted city III the world. 1t has
the highest and lowest grades of human
ity-the richest, the poorest; best edu-
Gated and most ignorant, the happiest and
most miserable of the human race are to
be found in it.
Its origin dates back to antiquity, but
it shows no signs Of decay. On the con-
trary, 1t has doubled in population dur
ing Victoria's reign, and its life, strength
and vitality is constantly increasing.
The lecturer, warming up with the sub
ject, quoted man who said he would
rather be hanged in London than live
anywhere else. AS for himself, he some
times thought he would rather be lamp
postin London than to be Mayor even Of
Sacramento. lie spoke OF the immensely
of the city as being quite beyond compre-
henSion. Men have spent the better por-
lions Of their lives in the study of it, and
then confessed it beyond them. 1t is the
greatest city the world has seen, or is
likely to see.
He then started his lecture proper with
view of Charing Cross Station. Then
followed Crystal Palace, the Tower OF
London, and the room therein containing
the jewels OF the crown. Nictoria's crown
was valued at the time of her coronation
at S6,000,000. Cheapside was shown, with
its throngs of carriages and tide of peo-
pie. 1t is probably the most trequented
London thoroughfare. 1t was here John
Gilpin took his famous ride.
John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and re-
nown,
A train-band captain exc was he OF famous
London town.
DIT !, II
gait along the CheapSide of to-day
Cheapside was not named thus owing to
the values of property there; some sold
noticing since bringing at the rate of
Sl0,000,000 per acre.
The bank of England was shown, and
designated by the speaker as the most
sensitive spot on earth, where every
throb of the human heart of the World is
1elt-of commerce, war, prosperity or
adversely. 1t is the greatest financial
institution in the world and was founded
over 2G0 years ago.
The Royal Exchange was shown. st.
Pauls Cathedral the British Museum
and various rooms of the institution, the
Grecian room, which contains mummles
OF people existing 5000 years 3. c.; statu-
airy, London Bridge, House of Parlia-
ment. Windsor Palace the home of Vic
toria, who reigns over 350,000,0O0 sub
jectSl; Hyde Park Marble Arch, West
Salisbury Cathedrals; bust of Longtel-
low-the only American represented in
Westminster.
The lecturer dwelt upon Westminster
Abbey at some length, producing various
views of the interior, and explaining his
feelings at the time he visited there, and
of its sacred relics of the greatest events
in history. Remarkably clear and inl-
pressive views We're given of the interior
OF the world famous abbey, and notably
of the group of busts and statuary, in
GLIDING Ben Jonson, Milton and Shake
speare.
In conclusion Trafalgar Square, Cri-
mean Monument, guarded by the four
lions, famous Pail Mall, and number OF
Turner's great paintings.
The lecture occupied most of two hours
and many on departing expressed theil
impressions in words of praise and com
mendation that so much could be seer
and heard for the price of admission. Il
is one of enhancing interest to the gen
eral public, as was evinced by the close
and intense attention given by the audi
ence last evening.