THE STRAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7435, 23 June 1902, Page 2

THE STRAND.

. ♦ ' A STREET OF CONTRASTS* Here in the Strand (says Mr Edwin Pugh, in " Living London ") aie the haunts of the mummer and the garish temples itt which he struts his hour j here are such contrasted edifices as Exeter Hall, scene of religious congresses ; Charing Cross station, key to the Continent, a world's centre to which all nations gravitate; the frivolous Trroli, and sombre Somerset House frowning on tlje academic cafan of King's Gollege* Coutta's, oldest of old-fashioned banks, lies Within hail of the Cecil, one oi the newest of new-fashiohed hotels. St Mary-le-Strand Church, dominates the purview, haven of rest, shadowing that bitter battle-ground of ignoble passions, the cloi-stral-looking Law Courts. And this jumble of contrasts is reproduced in the wayfarers 'who haunt its cfessio precincts. Every grade' and every order of society are represented. The humdrum typ%» to be met^with in Oxford Street — that are so truly representative h« ■ cause they are so humdrum—^are supplemented here by notable additions. The moble and the famous; the rich and the wise; the successful and' the submerged ; all flock to this place. v Faces that you have never seen bofore vou recognise instantly and tack a famous name to. Other faces, bearing signs of kinship with these great ones, flit slinkingly by, the nobleness struck out of them by failure and disappointment. Art and camp-followers of art, science and the drama, sport, and religion and law have their emissaries here. »*' The Strand is a blend of such seeli'mgly iraeconciiable elements that it might aknoet be said to epitomise the national, character of the English. It, is serenely toleraiib r f nil things And of all men.