THE MAGIC OF LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 15

THE MAGIC OF LONDON

At the fortnightly meeting, of the Dunedin Business and Professional Women’s Club, held in the Savoy qn Monday, the club was fortunate in having as speaker Dr A. H. McLintock, a graduate in history of the Otago University, who had the honour of having etchings accepted by the Royal Academy and the New English Art Club.

Dr McLintock spoke on “ London, a place in everyone’s thought at the moment, and a subject on which he was well qualified to speak. Travellers, he said, might talk of the glories o| Paris, Berlin, Moscow, New York and other renowned cities, but all agreed that there was a magical fascination about London experienced nowhere else in the world. Armed with a permit from the Port, of London Authority, he roamed at will around Dockland. The ever-changing London river, teaming with life—Cockney, cosmopolitan and picturesque—was full of interest and beauty. There came barges from many places, from Hqliand with the crustaceous delicacies and eels so relished by the East Enders. Famous Limehouse taverns were mentioned, “ The Grapes,” “ Prospect of Whitby" and other names steeped in ancient tradition. From time to time foreigners, persecuted for political and religious beliefs sought refuge in Limehouse, resulting in strange street names—Copenhagen Trinidad. Manila. Pepper, Cinnamon, Juniper, etc., all within sound of the great river. Dr McLintock made friends with tug captains, lightermen and all types of people living on or near the river, and was provided with a wealth of information and experience. He paid a striking tribute to these kindly and courageous Londoners. Miss L. Cunningham proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the club for an extremely interesting talk