Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-03-20

vi E1GlNG from W0SI emu
theater in London, companion |
remarked to the writer: This |
makes me glad to be a provin- |
cial. It's lost on Londoners."
knew his meaning. The Londoner |
may be proud of London in his negli-
gent, unenthusiastic way; he may love
London, perhaps be sentimental about
gerate London's cosmic Importance
But he seldom is thrilled by London.
That sensation Is reserved for the
provincial Whether 1t is a sensation
to boast OF depends on ones point OF
Wow. Those who count romance as
poisoner Of clear Judgment might
perhaps regard the provinciaPs thrill
With scorn, for the thrill Is the tribute
II an incorrigible romantic. In the
north especially, even in the huge
towns. London Is name which calls
oUrth the liveliest anticipations of ad-
venture. There lis something ingen-
sous in the awe with which the young
northerner will speak Of the goal OF
London. But, as compensation for his
extravagant notion of the wonders Of
the metropolis. he extracts more joy
from 1t, when he does visit it for
week, than the cockney can feel in a
lifetime
Emotion Romantic.
This emotion is, as has been said,
largely romantic. II is also, however,
appreciative in the artistic sense. The
provincial sees London as a series OF
pictures. Doubtless the intelligent
Londoner sees them too, but he Is
usually far less conscious Of them
vincial who has lived in London for
PEARS. My companion at that theater,
standing on the curb and watching
TIE packed trafic slide past in the
sheen of the electrics, was acutely
aware Of his own delight In the spec.
tacle. Having myself had the good
fortune Il may as we'll divulge IT. to
be born a provincial, could gauge
both his awareness and his delight,
and had often marveled at the manner
In which Londoners seemed to miss
them.
The provinces, as far as know, do
rot impress the Londoner as London
tmpresses the provincial; and though
this naive reflection may arouse an
ironical smile, 1t is less trite than It
sounds. Our enthusiasm for the CLAM
or Of London reaches its height after
dark. when the lamps are lit Some
Of London's most famous thorough
tares are shade disappointing to US
BY daylight The Strand-that Mecca
81 the Bohemianism celebrated in
music-hall ditties-has commonplace
architecture, an unremarkable vista.
and Is narrowish as important streets
80. Regent street, during the day. ID
only really flDe in sunshine. Leices.
ter square is ugly. But at dusk the
more vulgar details vanish, concealed
behind the glitter of a dazzling jew.
ellery Of lights A dim cobalt skyline
Is still visible. but the crudeness OF
the roofs and chimney-pots has gone
Down below, each shop window is q
sparkling cave Of multicolored treas
ures; and the pavements. thronged
with promenaders, furnish forth Z
spectacle Of animation on a scale
which only great capitals--Berlin
Paris, New York--can match. Wher
the plays are due to begin we hav,
another entertainment: the rush o
vehicles to the theater portfcos
Wealth suddenly floods out from ii
homes and from the restaurants. Nv
cry automobile. as 1t moves noiseless
ly past on bullying tires, gives NJ
dainty peep-show glimpse Of Its lit IN
tsrior. Exquisite toilettes loll agains
the rich upholstery. The corner o
Long Acre and Bow street. on q
opera night, almost sufflces to pei
suade US that the worlds money 1
concentrated In London. Car afte
car. In a slowly advancing line, maj
shaded by police. creeps round tn
curve and down to Covent Garden
blazing entrance-doors. Each car COZ
taans its intimate group, exQuisftei
dressed. and Ito that gaping proviI
ctal Of ours) sublimely unperceptiv
1t tho moments true splendor. Witt
In tho opera house the pageant {
luxury ID even more amazing. An
the same gorgeous advertisement, Q
. smaller scale. is seen simultaneous
b. svsry night IN 30 or 40 west On
theAnesU: can be seen. night att
night without repetition! While GU
do n the street there Is carniva
inpsomptu and undiverted by its On
.>AAaA scarcely less enthralling. ger