LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 8, 20 February 1892, Page 183

LONDON.

Dear Bee, December 30. We have had some severe fogs this month. Curiously enough the fogs have kept pace with the country’s increase in population, etc. Someone says that whilst from 1805 to 1810 there were only twenty-four fogs, now we have thirty a year ! There was one sad case in which we were all interested—almost everyone receives telegrams some time or other. The terrible fog proved directly fatal to a local telegraph boy. He started with a telegram to Park Bridge at half-past six, but the poor little lad was never seen again alive; his body was found in the Manchester and Ashton Canal the next morning ; owing to the foggy evening he could not see the road and had evidently walked into the treacherous water. I have been to one or two charming ‘ at homes ’ at some of the lady artist’s studios. Such a quaint and pretty idea of ‘ We are Seven,’ by Mies Helena Fisher, attracted me greatly. It was just seven rabbits nibbling grass ! There was a pretty ‘ Eucalyptus ’ by Miss C. M. Wood, rather grey in tone, but good. Is the artist from your part of the world ’ I wish Londoners could have warmers in their public conveyances ! I hear that our Parisian neighbours are likely to be in a position to defy the elements to a great extent this winter by the possession of comfortably warmed railway carriages and omnibuses. A system of heating these vehicles by means of hot air pipes placed under the seats and supplied with steam generated in a small boiler fixed on the top of the train or omnibus is at present under trial, and if successful will immediately be applied on certain railways and subsequently the omnibuses of the city. We are all so interested in the approaching marriage of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. It is to be on the 27th or 29th of February, and at St. George’s, Windsor. To make up to the city folks, a procession is to take place in the afternoon. The wedding-dress will be a work of art, a present from the National Silk Association. It is whispered that the Queen at first opposed her grandson’s marriage with Princess May, but the young people were really in love, and at length gained the wislied-ror consent.

A City Mouse.