LONDON NIGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3169, 9 December 1914, Page 30

LONDON NIGHTS.

A LIGHTLESS CITY. THE EERIE GLOOM. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, October 23. There are only one or two new things in our everyday existence which call pointed attention to the fact that our nation is at war. The day-to-day life of the people is much the same as ever, except that one already notices here, as in Berlin and Pans, the widespread evidence of mom mug. fcffiggesLons were thrown out, with iho approval of well-known loaders of soci-ty, that those whose relatives fell in action should not adopt the sombre black which is the traditional mourning colour of England, but wear simply a purple band on the arm, since such deaths are more matters for pride than for grief. But the old custom dies hard, and black is being very widely worn in the streets. Noticeable amongst the wearers are many Belgian and French ladies who have come hero for sanctuaiy, and whose nationality is disclosed by the long mourning veils, if not by the smad ribbon of national colours on the lapel oi the coat. The presence of refugees in our imdst ;s, indeed, the circumstance which has done most to bring home to the people of England that this uninvaded country is net or-, thelcss at war with all its power. The sad little groups and parties wandering through the streets or standing disconsolate ;n tile rain have served a very good purpose in educating the public to the realities oi war and opening their hearts—if, indeed, that was necessary —to the distress oi others. There is scarcely a family in Eng land to-day that is not doing its share oi relief, and the contributions to charity would probably be lound to exceed by far the normal givings to such purposes. The churches are fuller than ever, such is the spiritual effect of the war, and the offertories are greater than usual. The Archbishop of Canterbury probably spoke well when he expressed the opinion that there is more important work ior the clergy in their own parishes than amongst the Loops at the front or in the hospitals. NIGHT IN LONDON. But for those who live in London and the great towns on the eastern seaboard the state of war is most emphasised by the night aspect of the city. No change could be more striking than that which has,been worked in the night appearance of London during the last month or so. When the possibility of air raids became rather a probability the Government took steps to make London less vulnerable in its vitals by masking the lights. To prevent the German airmen locating the capital is an impossible task, but it is quite possible to make it difficult for them to locate the more important and vital buildings in the city. The effort has been, therefore, to mask the whole city. The first great necessity was to reduce the brilliance of the lights used at night. Trial flights wore made by the British pilots for some weeks, and as a result of these experiments an entirely new nocturnal London has been evolved. First of all, there was the river, the groat avenue to the heart of the city. Every light on the river bank is doubled or trebled in power by the reflection in the water. First of all, the wonderful sweep of Embankment lights, which extends unbroken from Blackfriars bridge to Yauxhah bridge, had to be put out. Then the lamps on the bridges themselves had to bo masked or extingu shed, those on the at fixed moorings had to bo reduced in brilliancy, and navigation on the river had to be carried out under dim light. It took several steps to arrive at th s final result, which to-day is very satisfactory. It is now probable that the Thames is scarcely dis cernible from any altitude, for the great hotels along the" Embankment —the Cecil, Savoy, etc. —have put up red bi nds, and a-i cars and buses crossing the bridges turn on their lights for the moment. As airmen arc expected to come to ■ London by the pathway of the Thames, this is a distinct achievement towards safety. DARKENED TRAFFIC. 'j Hq masking ot the streets lias also been attended) to. nirst oi an, street ngiits w*-ie reduced to, say, only tne tn.ru or iourcu lamps, ilieii sliopkeepers were ordoieu to reduce the fighting' m their windows, a measure which was naturally resented by a few, and had to be enlorced by one or two convictions ior obstruction, fiuen veificles were ordered to reduce the power oi tneir traffic lights and to blacken the globes of thoir ins.de liglrts. To Lie average Londoner this is a hardship, because tne Londoner is a confirmed reader, and m the dim religious hgtits of the surface conveyances he cannot see. The tube travellers, ol course, are not affected at all by these restrictions. But it is an ill wind that b.ows none good. The surface transport must effect a considerable saving in light, whereas the tubes are burning as usual. One problem so far not dealt with is the lighting of railway trains. These br.lliantiy lit conveyances rushing to and from the city clearly indicate the lines and the termini to an aerial enemy, and as several of the termini are fust on the banks of the Ihames, the trains frequently stand, fully lighted, on the bridges over the river, ottering a good mark tor bombs. The result of these lighting measures is to reduce somewhat the speed of the street traffic at night, and to reduce considerably the feeling ox security. The gloom is also a constant reminder of the danger against which it is intended to guard, and the consequence is that people arc ceasing to go out at nights, preferring to remain in thoir suburban homes, where, moreover, they expect to be safer from the attentions of the airmen. This has been recognised by the theatres, which have felt a great loss of business, and several of the more important have decided for the future to give only matinee performances. Sir Herbert Tree, in stating this fact, says it is impossible to deny that visits to the West End in the evening have now been transformed into rather adventurous excursions owing to the traffic difficulties. THE VITAL POINTS. There arc certain places in London which would suggest themselves to the sense oi humour ot the German airman as profitable marks for bombs. They would like to drop missiles on Woolwich arsenal more than anything else. En passant they would throw another at Greenwich Observatory or the hospital; another at the docks, and then they would seek the railway termini; such national buildings as the National Gallery and the British Museum, the Wur office and Admiralty, in Whitehall; Westminster Hall and the Abbey; and, finally, Buckingham

Palace. Owing to the censorship regulations I cannot mention the precautions which have been taken to prevent such attacks, though our friends probably know as much as I do. At any rate, they will easily find London itself if they merely follow to earth the rays of the searchlights that nightly plough the skies from points on both s.des of the river ; and if they follow them close enough to earth they will find, to their cost, where the aerial guns are placed. Every Londoner gapes at these every day as he paces the Embankment, rubbing shoulders with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, who there abound.