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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 08/12/1912

    London, England

    August 12, 1912

    Well My Dear Boy,

    The card preceeding this will inform you that I am in dense London. It is certainly busy, I beleive worse than New York. At points they stop the moter busses etc. so the people can cross and in other places they have to make underground passes for people to cross underneath. Their are many very, very beautifull parks and large ones, as much as 600 acres beautiful flouers, etc. etc.

    The first day I took in West Minister Abbey. It is a large old ancient building. The models of all the worthys of the nation are in it from 600 years B.C. and many buried in chambers and under the floor.

    Then took in the Royal Exchange. Verry interesting pictures etc. showing how the early Pheonecians traded with the early Brittons with skins etc. shown up to the present method.

    Then to London Bridge Tower bridge etc. crossing the Thames. This is a dirty old river and full of shipping etc. It is not in it with the Hudson. I forgot to tell you the town is much undermined with tube R.R. like crossing the Hudson to Jersy City. But the moter buss seems to be destined to beat the street cars. Much cheeper and more efective.

    Well on the 7th I saw Buckingham Pallace, the Queens residence when in London and her guards prancing in front of it. And right across from Pallace stands the Victoria Memorial, fine gold bronze and white marble statue with emblems all arround representing her colonies.… St. Pauls Cathedral is a fine place. Large fine organ.…

    I managed to get into Parliment House while in session. At first they would not let me in. Finaly at another place, policeman told me to tell them I was a colonial from Canada and he would grant me ticket. And it worked. I don't think it as fine or well arranged as the Congressional building in Washington. All arround here is full of statues of warriors and statesmen, large art galleries etc. I covered lots of territory and turned in tired. Reminded me of St. Louis. On the 8th took in Hyde Park, Albert Memorial a fine piece of workmanship about as costly as the Victoria and much different shape. Then went to Kensington Pallace where Queen Victoria was born and raised. It is not much of building but is large and the upper part is used for museum and it contains all old relics and paintings etc. even the little dolls and dresses made by the Queen, even her corrination robes. And I saw an old law book in a case that would have interested you. It was opened at the page wheir the law was enacted stoping the barber from operating on people farther than pulling a tooth. This law was caused because man died because of barbers ignorance in surgical matters.

    Then about ½ mile away went through Imperial Institute of Natural History, animals of all kinds and almost adjoining is the Victoria and Albert Museum, art of all kinds, ancient and modern. It is simply wonderfull to go through it. I took in several other minor places and turned in tired. And I think you will be getting tired reading about this stuff about kings and queens.

    So for the present will close about it. But by the way I had the pleasure of seeing the first hydraplan land in London at the Thames yesterday. Will send clipping.

    Mama forwarded your letter about Dr. Cushing's arrival at Baltimore and the investigation of your work. I would have liked to have seen him.… Trusting you have got Dr. C.'s job and all other good things.…

    Your affectionate Father

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