It is not a little remarkable that until the issue of this Album, no complete series of views of London had ever been published; nor is it contended even now that London has been exhausted. All that the Publishers claim—justly, as will be conceded on all hands—is, that every object of general interest is here included.
The publication of the Album in monthly parts had one result that was not foreseen. A number of letters were received from Subscribers; some expressing their delight in the general get-up; some favourably comparing it with other productions of a like nature; and all stating the opinion that THE DESCRIPTIVE ALBUM OF LONDON, to employ a hackneyed but extremely useful phrase, supplies a long felt want.
Notwithstanding its sub-title (a Pictorial Guide) the Album is meant to supplement, rather than to supersede the admirable guide books already existing. It is intended for the use of visitors to London to suggest points of interest that are worth seeing, and as a pleasant and artistic reminder of things seen. It will also serve to recall to Londoners that theirs is a City inexhaustible in objects that properly engage attention and curiosity; and to give some notion of the wealth of historic associations of the Metropolis, its chief architectural features, the beauty of its bridges, parks, and palaces, its picture galleries, libraries, and other institutions to those who, from various causes, are unable to visit them.
The aim with regard to the explanatory note at the foot of each picture has been to give clearly and concisely as much information as is possible in such necessarily limited space.
The Publishers desire to express their thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who have so courteously pointed out the errors that crept in, thus affording the necessary opportunity for correction.
While disclaiming prejudice of any kind in disfavour of foreign workmanship, the Publishers are pleased to be able to say that the whole of the work has been done in this country. They felt that a volume of such a nature ought not to be produced, even in part, elsewhere. That they have thus been able to demonstrate that England fully holds her own in artistic work is a circumstance gratifying, but entirely incidental.
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There is an order of globe-trotter, whose sole acquaintance with London is such as can be gained during a rapid drive between one railway station and another, and it has become the practice of persons of this class to speak disparagingly of our great City. Those, however, who know their London, know also that they are not justified in assuming that attitude.
London does not thrust her attractions obtrusively into notice. Her choicest treasures must be sought out, and lose nothing of their charm for the seeking. The principal glories of the Metropolis of the World are pictured in the pages which follow. Let it be our task now to point out one or two of the grander and more impressive aspects of Magnificent London.
From midway along Waterloo Bridge, which spans the Thames at the central point of a grand semi-circular sweep, a panorama can be surveyed, which for interest and beauty is not to be surpassed. Well within the range of vision lies the Victoria Embankment, with its lines of trees from Westminster Bridge to Blackfriars. To the west the Houses of Parliament rise, the gilding on the towers glittering in the sun. Nearer are the majestic buildings of the National Liberal Club, with its terrace and public garden, and next to these the railway station and bridge. Then tho old houses of the Adelphi contrast gloomily with the fresh verdure of Charing Cross Gardens. Almost facing you on one side of the bridge are the colossal new caravanseries, and on the other is the grey facade of Somerset House, followed by handsome modern offices and hotels, built principally of bright red terra-cotta. Further east are the buildings of the Temple, resembling to some extent an old hall set in the midst of park-like grounds. Beyond is Blackfriars Bridge, and far away can just be seen the dome of the Great Cathedral. A light mist—that lovely blue-grey haze that hangs over London on the finest day—lends to the distance all the charm of mystery.
A walk from Blackfriars Bridge to Westminster will enable you to examine this noble prospect more in detail. Arrived at Westminster, turn to the right along Bridge Street and Great George Street, passing the Houses of Parliament and Parliament Square, and gaining sight of Westminster Abbey on your left, and continue straight on into St. James’s Park. Here station yourself on the miniature suspension bridge, which is thrown across the narrowest portion of the pond. In the distance, to the west, lies Buckingham Palace. Turning eastward, the Foreign Office faces you, its handsome yellow stone Italian elevation mirrored in the water, and the long range of the buildings of the Horse Guards, grey with age. Beyond and above these the pinnacles of the National Liberal Club, seen dimly through the mist, tower upwards like the spires of an ancient city in some old painting.
Now continue your promenade into the Mall, ascend the steps opposite the Duke of York’s Column into Waterloo Place, and turn to the left into Pall Mall—that street of palaces—until you come to St. James’s Palace. From there turn into St. James’s Street up to Piccadilly, which, with its splendid shops, clubs, and residences on one side, fronting the Green Park on the other, is admittedly one of the handsomest streets in Europe. A walk along this thoroughfare of about half a mile will take you to Hyde Park Corner, where are Apsley House, the residence of the Dukes of Wellington, the equestrian statue to England’s hero by Boehm, and the triumphal arch at the entrance to Constitution Hill. Passing through the gate into Hyde Park you now come to Rotten Row and The Drive, which at certain periods in the day are thronged with handsome equipages, well-mounted equestrians, and fashionably attired people. Follow Rotten Row across the roadway to the Thicket behind the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. The Thicket is a rather narrow gravelled path between shrubs, bushes, and overarching trees, which in the Spring are smothered with blossoms of white and gold and pink, and deep-glowing red, and which afford a delightful shade to the promenade. This will bring you to the Broad Walk lined with rows of grand old forest trees, and the red brick old-world looking Kensington Palace.
Your walk has extended from the centre of London westward for nearly five miles, in the whole of which the eye has not been offended by one displeasing object, except perhaps the railway bridge at Charing Cross. It may be doubted if there is another city in the world in which so prolonged a ramble can be taken in one direction through scenes of such varied beauty, interest, and magnificence. And this is only one among many such wanderings that can be indulged in in London.
How shall one describe the City, that tiny patch of territory whence is controlled the commerce of the world. In its narrow asphalted streets lined on both sides with lofty structures, are the homes of banks, exchanges, insurance companies, and the great trading corporations. To say that the city is paved with gold is scarcely an exaggeration, for to purchase a freehold there would require as much as would suffice to cover that portion of it with the precious metal. The rush and hurry of the crowded streets bewilder the unaccustomed visitor. And yet a sudden turn to right or left off any of these busy thoroughfares will often take you into some quiet old-world nook, in which the roar of the unceasing traffic becomes subdued into a peaceful murmur.
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It would be idle to pretend that all London is uniformly attractive. There are many unlovely blemishes to mar its beauty. Still, it has been said that London once was the handsomest capital in Europe; and we have endeavoured to show how easily she might again achieve that proud distinction. We believe that she will attain her former pre-eminence in this respect, as she has maintained it in all others; and it is with the firmest confidence in the future glories of this Metropolis, where alone can be obtained in the fullest measure all that life has to give, that this Album of Views is dedicated to the
Possibilities of London
So wrote George Birch in the early 1890s, when he would have been in his fifties. The style is more flowery than we would accept today, but he uses a wide vocabulary.
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Peter Facey, Winchester, England
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