My Wonderful Year | Page 9

the leading London newspapers. The newsboys do not hawk their news in gabbled English, but large headline sheets are displayed on racks which the passerby reads and if he wishes to read further he purchases a copy of the paper. There one does not have to peep over the newsboy's shoulder and then refuse to buy a paper.
It rains almost every day in London, usually for only a short time. The sun comes out, and the streets, which are paved, dry immediately. Men as well as women carry umbrellas every day, not the short umbrella which we consider fashionable, but the long umbrella which can be used as a walking cane. I think this daily carrying of the umbrella accounts for the grace with which the English gentlemen carry walking sticks. Being in London taught me how to keep an umbrella, for I carried one every day and never misplaced it once. This was quite an achievement for me, for only the year before I lost four umbrellas. Now I do not have to flip a coin to see whether to carry an umbrella. I experienced four typical London fogs while I was in London. A London fog is different from the American conception of fog. It is so dense that it penetrates the house even with the doors and windows closed. Even with the lights on, one can dis^ cern only larger objects. There is a yellowish haze to the fog and it causes the eyes to smart for a day or two after the fog has lifted. To be on the street in such a fog is hazardous, for one cannot see his hand before his face. I welcomed the first fog, but I was not happy to see the others. The climate in England is damp and penetrating. There is never the brilliant sunshine of our country, although there are many beautiful days that make one feel that it is good to be alive. English people wear a great deal of wool clothing. I too learned to wear wool sweaters in spite of the fact that I had always believed that I was too fat to wear a sweater and skirt effectively. Knitting needles are kept flying. Everyone knits everywhere, in the theatres, in the lounges, in the tea rooms, and on the trains. This is one English experience I never had time to participate in, for I was too busy exploring to knit.
The English girls naturally have rosy cheeks, partially because of the cold climate and the fact that the houses and buildings are not overheated as they usually are in America. Frankly I was chilly most of the time, but even now I do not like a room too warm. Cosmetics are not used very much by the English girl; there is also an absence of waved hair. Low heel shoes are worn almost exclusively, and sweaters and skirts are the every day costume of the English girl. Foreign women in England are usually recognized by their high heel shoes and abundance of makeup.
As I write I have my radio turned on, and I hear the latest swing pieces. I am encouraged to drink coffee to rid myself of that tired feeling. I am told how to remodel my house on easy terms. I can buy a fur coat with a small down payment. The English radio carries no such programs. It is under government control, the only broadcasting station is the B. B, C. (the British Broadcasting Company.) It permits no advertisements and no swing bands send their music over the air. One hears plays, addresses, operas, symphony orchestras? news, and the like. The programs are scheduled by the week and on Saturday most people buy for one shilling (twentyfive cents) the Radio News. Every radio owner pays a government tax for each radio he owns. The girls at College Hall paid fifty cents a year tax. The word "wireless" is more popular than the word "radio."
The telephones are the property of the Postoffice Department. One very unique feature about the English telephone is that there are public telephone booths on the streets throughout the city. On the main streets these booths are located one or two in every block. The booth contains a directory, a light, a stool, paper and pencil, and a shelf upon which to write. Telephones are not as numerous in the homes as they are in America. This arrangement keeps one from annoying the neighbor or having his conversation overheard in a crowded business place. The booths are open at all times. A telephone call costs four cents.
For everything under the sun there is a reason. The Englishman's love for his country is instilled into him on every occasion. Every public gathering, including the university socials, sings the National