Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-02-27
THr VIRGINIA FREE paEss-~vHE OLD FAMILY JouRNA1
London Letter.
LONDON, February II. lSs

LONDON, February Ii, 1925.
Dear Free Press; OF London, with its fog
and smoke, We have heard and read, since
nv arrival here l have also seen. / had
charitably ascribed its foggy reputation as
partial slander-an exaggeration-but not
so if this weather is a specimen.
You look out Of the window, and If for
the first time, the presumption is that besides
the fog the window glass is of peculiar
| dirty yellow hue, and that the accumulated
amount of SCOT and smoke is probably or
three months duration. On two or three
occasions the gas had to be lighted in our
sitting room at midday and kept burning,
although it was large front room and well
arranged for light. One day last week was
so gloomy that an innocent West Virginian,
accustomed to early rising, lay in bed until
10 o'clock a. m. waiting for good daylight
lin London) by which to arise and dress
So much for living in country where the
glorious sunshine spsrkles in an unclouded
atmosphere.
The city papers have been full of reports
of unusually cold weather, not only of Great
Britain but throughout Europe. Here in
London, omnibus drivers have been reported
as frozen in their boxes while driving-po-
licemen frozen on their beats, and the poor
have endured untold suffering. The humane
and benevolent societies have had their
hands full-great exertion has been neces-
sary to meet the many demands and urgent
appeals for help.
Last Sunday l had the pleasure Of hear
ing Rev. Mr.. Watkinson at St. Johns chap
ell in the lnorning-a very fine sermon, and
withal, very orthodox. In the afternoon |
heard Rev. Hugh Price Hughes at St. James
Hal, -but had l known that the Rev. H.
would regale his hearers on the merits of
the London County Council, and exhort
them to support this model municipal body
at the coming March election, there would
have been one more vacant seat st. James.
From what read however, the Englishman
mixes bis politics and his religion consider
ably 1t is all right if he gets enough Of
the latter into the former. st. PauPs and
Westminster are grand churches-I attend
ed services there in the afternoon of week
days. The music is very fine. Ispent part
ola day among the hspels-naves, transepts
and in the Poets Corner" of Westminster
"a crest treat. How many illuslrious dead
are buried there.
have yet good deal Of sightseeing on
hand-but had TO give up going abroad to-
day, as the American mail leaves this even
ing and have letters to write by this post.
Very soon | hope to set foot on my native
heath-the last four months has been 90, 20,
60 do well enough as traveller on land,
but the sea soon cradles me in berth and
it's NAL de mer from the time embark until |
land,
Marine intelligence gives news OF rough |
seas and gales on the Atlantic. | do hope |
and pray that the "Etrura" may have fine |
weather, and arrive safely off Sandy Hook |
at her next sailing.
| have missed the visits of The FREE |
Press and regret that did not arrange with |
its good editor to mail along the route for me-
With best wishes, and hoping soon to be |
in Charles Town, remain
Very sincerely, l.. c. 5.