The San Francisco call., 1899-07-30
INTERESTING
NEWS,
SOCIETY
BITS,
SCRAPS or.
GOSSIP.

Y AN in London Something that I
should call a fog is hanging over
the city, but as il is possible to see
across the street I am laughed at
for using the significant little word
a fog," says the Londoner; this
Is no foE. See how plainly you can dis
tircuish that man with the white
blouse. Yes and you can tell an ON
rthus from a hanson very convent
ertly-. this is no fogt"
The I-ondOner really seems a little
hurt NATL should think this the best
he could 90 in the way Of fogs, for as q
matter os fact he boasts of his afro
cious climate with a zeal that could
hardly he surpassed by a dealer IN Los
Angeles sunshine. A visitor to New
York IS sure to find 1t the hottest that
lr has been for forty years. Napoleon
was not at all unique in finding 1t the
coldest in Russia, the rainiest in Bel
Eium. the hottest in Spain. Every trav-
cler has similar experiences until he
grows to consider himself a hoodoo and
acquires the very bad habit Of cursingt
his luck-a habit which can easily be
cured. however. by a trip TO London.
Here. no matter how hot or how cold
1t may he, the Londoner assures you
that you're really quite fortunate, for
at this season of the year 1t is usually
very much worse. Yesterday the town
was resplendent with shirtwaists and
straw hats. | went TO the Academy IN
the afternoon and found swiss dresses
decidedly Ia mode but today I shiver
al the thought Of them and am looking
lonEinEiy d my empty crate.
This sudden change is quite ex-
1yal
while ago to the Londoner.
Not at all, not at all" was the
answer. Nothing is extraordinary in
London We have known it to snow in
June. Worst climate in the world;
can't tell what it is going to do. You
are apt to get bronchitis. cold in your
lungs rheumatism. neuralgia
Here. here" I protested. Please
don't frighten me away from London"
NO danger of that in the world he
continued. All the ills in Pandora's
box couldn't drive woman from Lon
don during the season if it We're possible
for her To remain, nor ten wild horses
couldn't keep her here after the sea-
son had closed"
In fact the interest in this London
reason is surprisingly universal. 1t
extends through all grades and classes
Of society. OF course to individuals Of
social aspirations it is the time for
their deadIiest work. Royalty is here
in all Of its greatest splendOr, attended
by the swelIdOm of England. Every
body who is anybody at all is in town
just at present, which means that
money is being spent and that times are
prosperous for the tradespeople. The
dreSsmaker around the corner, who is
making the presentation gown for an
American debutante, is quite as happy
over the event as the debutante herself
W have robes
to make nor robes to wear, the London
season means much. 1t means Melba
and CaIve and Nordica and the De
Reszkes. It means Irving and
Terry and Bernhardt and Patti
and Chaminade. 1t means that
We may revel to the fullest
extent Of our time and pocketbooks
IN the best that the world has to offer
1t must be confessed, however, that
London does not show the same con-
sideration for the student element that
one finds In the other cities of Europe.
In Paris and Berlin theatrical man
ayers seem to realize that tho greatest
lovers and the best critics are fire.
Quently among those who must occupy
the cheap places, and provisions are
made for their comfort. Not so in Lon
don. Here. as in America, comfort
must be paid for in cold cash. The su-
blimest Wagnerian opera, when heard
from bench without a back while one
lS SLllnS IN impure dIiLOSPHe4e, {, III
hardly impart a wealth Of inspiration
to the most receptive soul.
At the LyCeum, Irving and Terry are
still giving "Robespierre," which has
proved one of the greatest successes
that London has seen for years. that is,
If crowded houses mean success. A
critic whose opinion I respect having
rhapsodized at great length concerning
the latest SardOu sensation l went to
"Robespierre" quite prejudiced in its
favor. but came away disappointed.
The play is an interesting melodrama,
but I cannot foresee that 1t will ever