From the Kearney Files
The Star 28th. May 1914
The astonishing news that one of London's favourite open spaces a "lung" of beauty and we had thought a joy for ever, is to be disfigured by a snorting railway, has roused indignation of all patriotic Londoners.
Our parks and open spaces, won by the people after many a hard fight against the powers that were, have long been our pride and glory. And now, through the heart of one of our most pastoral breathing - places, a railway is to be constructed.
The Philistines be upon us!
" I know a bank ------"
For some years the Aldwych site, cleared in the course of the Strand Improvements has been one of the delights of the people of the City and the Strand. After narrating morning in the service of Mammon, the City Man might stroll at lunchtime round the oasis of wild flowers and imagine himself treading the green goodness of a Southern Combe.
He could keep between the slats of the fence and see growing there purple loose strife, ragged to I and the red champion of the English countryside. Not setout by park keepers in ordered lines, drilled and labelled; not arranged in unnatural curves and colour groupings; but magnificently strewn broadcast by Dame Nature's lavish hand.
The Trail of the Serpent
It was as if one had taken a slice out of paradise and planted it in London.
Clean of officious fence and hedge,
Half wild and wholly tame,
The thistle nods to the motor - bus,
As when the Romans came.
But this is all over and done with. Where once the rose - bay willow herb lifted it's graceful blossoms, the Kearney High Speed Railway is to dash and rattle; and the lawyer, wrestling with some knotty problem, will have to work fresh woods and pastures new for his mediative walks.
Sweets to the Sweet
No more will the plaintive lover cast his eye around for the nearest Policeman and reach through the fence to pluck his lady a nosegay of Lythrum Salicaria, Taraxacum and fungi.
No more will the student of nature search the nooks and crannies of the Strand park, Culpepper's Herbal in hand, for rare specimens. What's not devoured by the Mod's destroying hand? Where's Troy and where's the garden in the Strand?
Back to the Land
Seven years ago, before the beauties of London were given over to the present County Council, the Moderates were for ever crying out about the disposal of the Strand Site. When was it to be let? Then they came into power and after seven years of office the site remains inlet.
Meantime it has gone Fanti; has regenerated into the London of prehistoric days, when the bison roamed in Covent Garden and Drury Lane resounded to the bark of the wolf ( or whatever it is wolves do).
The Strand Park is now one of the sights of London and tourists, with Badaeker beneath their octets, may be seen gazing in admiration on its lush herbage.
"Daisies Pied and violets Blue,"
Botanists have written at length about it, have counted and classified it misses and ferns, have reported the finding of two varieties of melilots, have written about its 60 species of grasses and it's it's sardine tins.
Poets have hymned it. Witness that lyric of the people " Let's all go down the Strand," an invitation to the pastoral delights of this green Eden.
And now, where once the blithe dock leaf flourished, with shepherd's cress and wild strawberry with dainty silver weed and bright yellow banana skins -- the ,Kearney High Speed Railway!
Is there not a society for the Prevention of Ancient Sites? And what is it going to do about it?
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