New-York tribune., 1922-10-06
The Iower
Copr., New York Tribune Inc, 1929
Impressions Of England

A"Pf cSoiou1 VI 5nSAahu
We have never been abroad; and
1t is quite possible that we may
never go. But why should this
keep Us from writing our impress
sions of foreign countries? We will
begin with England with
London.
The Tower Of London is just
across the street from Westminster
Abbey. Mr.. Lytton Strachey, an
cmaciated person in a steel-gray
dressing gown, sits behind the bars
of an upper window in the Tower
writing, writing very slowly and
thoughtfully, with long iron pen.
From time to time Mr.. Strachey
peers cautiously out of the window
observing with frown Il little
group Of persons who are standing
on the front steps Of the Abbey.
Among these is Mr.. Bernard Shaw;
it is evident from Mr.. Shaw's ges-
lures and the laughter of his COM
panions that Mr.. Shaw is being very
witty at the expense of the Abbey
itself.-Mr. Strachey wishes he
could hear; but he does not wish to
be caught looking or listening. The
question in Mr.. Strachey's mind is
whether Mr.. Shaw is sincere in what
he is saying about the Abbey, or
whether he does not really wish to
be buried there, in spite of coming
two or three times a week to idle
about and spool tit is at least
very strange that he cannot keep
away.
Opening on the Embankment, be-
tween Temple Bar, where the
head Of Cromwell scowls down on
passersby, and the Houses Of Par
lament, is the Cheshire Cheese.-A
nervous gentleman, with neat
beard and kindly eyes, is walking up
and down in front of the Cheshire
Cheese. He makes as if to enter and
then is overcome by shyness and
posses on. He does this again and
again.
He is dressed, the nervous gentle
man, in the most faultless attire.
AS he takes off his silk hat to mop
his perspiring brow we notice that
there is small golden crown, set
with diamonds and rubies, inside
the hat.-Presently he is Joined by
a Duke, whom we know to be a
Duke because he is dressed exactly
like Duke in one of Shakespeare's
plays.
"Why is Your Majesty wearing
your crown inside your hat to-day?"
the Duke asks the nervous gentle
man. }fa AS gIS
Your Grace" replies the King
for the nervous gentleman, is, none
other, 81 do not wish to appear os-
tentatious, especially before Mr..
Chesterton."
81 doubt" says the Duke,
whether Mr.. Chesterton will mind
what you wear or how you wear it.
Come, come, Your Majesty! You
must control your shyness! Mr..
Chesterton is great man, and l am
sure that he will put you at your
ease at once!'
Mr.. Chesterton himself appears at
this instant in person at the door of
the Cheshire Cheese. In one hand is
large pewter tankard of ale and in
the other is ruddy mutton chop,
which he is gnawing from the bone.
He recognizes the King at once,
and waves genially with the tankard.
The King bushes with pleasure, and
Mr.. Chesterton laughs uproariously
when the Duke tells him of the
Kings embarrassment.
*
"Why, Your Majesty" says Mr..
Chesterton, reassuringly, 81 would
not be difficult with the lowliest
member of the aristocracy." He
pauses moment, and then adds gra-
ciously: "Let alone yourself Then
as thought strikes him, he bursts
into second roar of laughter
"Your Majesty" he says, "put that
crown on and wear it openly >.
let the Duke carry your hat. Wells
is here to-day. lunching with me, and
| want to see his face when you come
in and sit down with him with the
crown on"
How Mr.. Wells takes it we don't
know. For we do not enter. Just
then fire engine passes through the
street, the bells changing, and
Margot Asquith is galloping after it
on an enormous bay horse, which
hurdles motor cars and policemen
and everything else that gets in the
way. We follow Margot and the fire
engine.
ITO Be Continued.)
G.. S. II. writes: "In preparing my