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[Page 91]
quite as any party of the city. We strolled in & out looking at the small shops & innumerable cafes & restaurants. Then to Legrand Gerrard St for a cup of coffee. Here a separate brew is made for each person. After this we made a tour of theatres including John Bulls office where 300 were roasted alive in a raid. Then to Covent Garden theatre a palatial building now used as a store but in front of which is a trumpery gas jet light vastly incongruous with the structure. then to the Market. Here it was Paddy's market without its life. The prices amuse me Grapes 8/- & 6/- per lb. Peaches 4/- & 5/- each Pears 2/- & 3/- a piece, small melons 1 ft long & parched looking 15/- each. I asked the vendor if anyone ever bought at these prices & he seemed surprised especially when I told him I wanted a case for that price. This is not the slum part but was originally & until the formation of Shaftesbury Avenue the foreign part of London. All the cafes are French & Italian or other foreign elements as are all the shops. Notice in window states that "Here one speaks -- " Here & there especially after nightfall one meets a chap that looks his part but the whole Soho is peaceful now & even frequented by many of the richer class for here only is it possible to obtain a good meal in London. The large Hotels go in for glitter & shout & music & the food part of the meal is forgotten.
We go to Regent Palace Hotel for afternoon tea. The Lounge is the largest space seen with a big circular dome rising in the centre with a glass
roof. Everywhere little tables & easy chairs at which tea & cake is served for 8d. The lounge has marble pillars, palms & much gold decoration & is known as the Rotunda Court. Many women are present, but English beauty or the apparent beauty for the beauty if existent is often covered under a cloud of paint & powder, does not appeal to me. The vestibule to Court is very large while the entrance is thro a circular glass door revolved by machinery & at first takes some judgment as to exactly when