Back in 2013 I posted a series of posts based on the 1930 edition of Ward Lock & Co’s “ Illustrated Guide Book to London”. For those who have followed this blog for a while it should come as no surprise that I also have in my possession the 1910 edition of Ward Lock & Co’s illustrated guide book for the same city. And just for the record, I have the 1948 and 1956 editions too.
This will be the first post based on the 1910 edition which is surprisingly enough more richly illustrated than the one from 1930. And we start of course with the introduction and work our way through the most interesting parts of the book – Ted
Preliminary Information – A-B
Explanatory – In this section, arranged alphabetically, information is given respecting a number of matters of interest and importance both to visitors and residents.
Accidents
The number of accidents in streets within the Metropolitan police district has of late years, owing to the development of more rapid modes of locomotion, increased to an alarming extent, and the matter is receiving the earnest attention of the authorities.
It is not that the taxi-cabs and motor omnibuses are themselves so dangerous, as the fact that the varying speeds of the different classes of vehicles makes it difficult for the pedestrian to judge the rate at which he should cross the road.
The best advice is, Keep a sharp look-out, especially where there are converging thoroughfares or turnings at right angles. At some of the most crowded crossings, as at the Bank and the northern end of Blackfriars Bridge, subways have been constructed for pedestrians; and at all important centres constables are stationed to regulate the traffic.
Horse drawn Omnibuses
If making your own way, use a mid-street refuge wherever available. Be especially careful if the roads are greasy. Above all, do not get flurried. The rule is for vehicles to keep to the left, pedestrians to the right. In all the principal thoroughfares are ambulance stations, or ambulance “ calls,” and the police are trained to render first aid.
In entering trams and Omni-busses, especially motor-buses, hold firmly to the rail till you are either inside or safely on top. This is quite as important if the vehicle is stationary as if moving, for the jerk caused by a sudden start may send you headlong. In alighting, follow the same rule, and if you must jump off while the vehicle is in motion – it is against the rules,- but most people do it–jump in a forward direction. It is as well, too, to make quite sure that nothing coming from behind will obstruct your passage to the pavement.
Americans In London
Speaking at a dinner in London, the Hon. J. H. Choate, then American Ambassador, made the following suggestions:
“An American lately arrived in London should trace out in this great City those memorials and things of interest pertaining to America of which England and London are full. If he lands at Plymouth, his feet rest upon those mysterious figures at the dock, ‘1620’- the very place where, nearly 300 years ago, our pilgrim fathers embarked in the Mayflower to try their fortunes in the wilderness, and lay the foundations of the great nation which we now represent.
If by chance he lands at Gravesend, in the chancel of St. George’s Church he will drop a tear over the tomb of Pocahontas, the American Indian Princess, whose father, Powhattan, was king in Virginia when the great Elizabeth still sat on the throne of England.
Coming up to London, if he will allow me to take him ‘ a personally-conducted tour,’ I will conduct him to St. Saviour’s Cathedral, in Southwark, where is recorded the baptism of John Harvard, who gave his name, his library and half his fortune for the foundation of that college in America which has become the leader of education for half a sphere.
Old houses, Holborn
At the Charterhouse will be found associations of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, and the apostle of toleration. In the National Portrait Gallery is a representation of Sir Henry Vane the younger, Governor of Massachusetts in 1636, who, after the Restoration, lost his head as the penalty for devotion to the cause of the Commonwealth. But greater names and greater forms appear in that asylum of truly famous British men.
There were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Benjamin West of Philadelphia, who took such an active part in the creation of the Royal Academy, and succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as president. In another part of the City will be found a statue of George Peabody, the philanthropist.
There are also the memorials of George Thompson, Phillips Brooks, Abraham Lincoln, James Russell Lowell, and, in Westminster Abbey, of Longfellow.”
To this we may add that at the Church of All Hallows, Barking, the entry of the baptism of Wm. Penn (October 23, 164.4), who was born on the adjacent Tower Hill, is still to be seen in the registers, and that John Quincy Adams was married in the same fane on July 26, 1797.
The registers of St. George’s, Hanover Square, contain the not less interesting record of the marriage of Theodore Roosevelt (December 2, 1886). In the church of St. Sepulchre, Newgate Street, is the tomb of the redoubtable Captain John Smith, sometime Governor of Virginia.
Bath And Bathing
Swimming and private baths, maintained by the local authorities, are to be found in nearly every quarter. The St. George`s Baths, 88, Buckingham Palace Road, the Westminster Baths, 22, Great Smith Street, and the Holborn Baths, B road Street, may be mentioned. An open-air swim can be had in the Serpentine, Hyde Park, before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.; at the Ponds on Hampstead Heath, and elsewhere.
Of Turkish Baths, the best known are the Charing Cross (Nevill’s), Northumberland Avenue (3s. 6d.; after 7 p.m. 2s.) ; the Savoy, Savoy Street (2s.6d.; after 6 p.m. 1s.6d.);the Hammam, 76, Jermyn Street, W. (4s. ; after 7 p.m. 2s.) ; Bartholomew’s, 23, Leicester Square ; Broad Street, Broad Street House, E.C. (Nevill’s) ; and others. In nearly all the charge is reduced after 6 or 7 p.m.
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London,
The 1910s Tagged:
1910,
Illustrated Guide Book to London,
Preliminary Information,
Ward Lock & Co