Finding myself before St.Paul's, I went in; I mounted to the dome: I saw thence London, with its river, and its bridges, and its churches; I saw antique Westminster, and the green Temple Gardens, with sun upon them, and a glad, blue sky, of early spring above; and between them and it, not too dense, a cloud of haze.
Descending, I went wandering whither chance might lead, in a still ecstasy of freedom and enjoyment; and I got--I know not how--I got into the heart of city life.

I saw and felt London at last: I got into the Strand; I went up Cornhill; I mixed with the life passing along; I dared the perils of crossings.

To do this, and to do it utterly alone, gave me, perhaps an irrational, but a real pleasure.

Since those days, I have seen the West End, the parks, the fine squares; but I love the city far better.

The city seems so much more in earnest: its business, its rush, its roar, are such serious things, sights, and sounds.