After endless vacillations J. and I made a decision to come down to London, so as to have two whole days here before our leave expires. Set out sight-seeing, visiting first the British Museum, to look at the Elgin Marbles. Thence to the Tate Gallery to find after a long meander that it is still closed. Tried the Royal Academy – doesn’t open till the end of the week. Found an exhibition of watercolours, but doesn’t open until Monday. So we had many rebuffs.
On Sunday morning we paid a visit to Petticoat Lane, where the Jew cheap-jacks hold their Sunday babel. The noise, the press, and the language were astonishing. We partook of a ‘tout suite’ meal – cook and waiter in one – skewers your sausage and dabs your vegetables, slabs a hunk of meat on the top, and there you are.
After a look round the embankment, we went off to a concert at the Queen’s Hall, which was splendid. Reached Stretton, where J’s cousins live, and passed a very pleasant evening: regaled with a variety of good things, and the true hospitality of English ladies, of whom his three maiden aunts are charming examples.
On Monday we again sought out the watercolour exhibition – “soldiers admission free”. Spent over two hours there – the pictures representing all the best known watercolour artists of the day.
Last night, being given a buckshee ticket, I went to a play at the New Theatre, called “The Chinese Puzzle”, which I liked very well. The plot was clever, and the acting very good.
[Image: Photograph of Lincoln Lee, no date and location unknown – appears to be outside a bookshop]
Walk March 
Good-looking man your grandfather was!
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