UNDERSTANDING LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 13

UNDERSTANDING LONDON

Did you read “England, the Unknown Isle,” by Paul Cohen-Portheim? If you didn’t, go read it as soon as you can and at the same time, grasp for your entertainment and instruction, Cohen-Portheim’s “The Spirit of London.” London’s hold on her own people is remarkable, and it is astonishing how often she captures the visitor, making him her own; but somewhat more surprising is the pertinacity of the lure she has for people overseas. Thousands dream of seeing London, hundreds of thousands cannot believe in such dreams long enough to extract any joy from them, but they all consume avidly anything which will give them a glimpse of the great city, the heart of the Empire and the centre of romance. Books on England have a firm grip on popularity, but London makes a stronger appeal, and it would seem that there can never be a saturation point so far as books about her are concerned. Cohen-Portheim looks at London with European eyes, but you cannot doubt his affection, hi dealing with the city he has assisted himself with a large collection of photographs, many of them of points not usually touched by the camera, many of them taken from unusual angles, many of them reviving memories of the past. The author has wandered in London with eyes and ears open, and his purpose is to take the reader along with him. It is all rightly done, but every few pages there is some fact, some pointed comment to lift one’s pleasure in a new revelation of this city of endless interest Cohen-Portheim has attempted nothing profound, but he has gone nearer to catch the spirit of London than have those who set out to study it He leaves the guide books to their soulless tabulations and trips lightly, shrewdly, observantly and, what is equally important, with the assurance of a man who knows that he talks well. “The Spirit of London,” by Paul Cohen-Portheim (Messrs Angus and Robertson Ltd., Sydney).