The Great Northern Railway provides comfortable transportation for my adventure to London. Furthermore, I have twelve editions of ‘The Boys Journal’ containing Jules Verne’s new serial, ’Journey to the Centre of the Earth’, to keep me amused.
The train enters London’s Kings Cross, where smoke darkens the sky, sweeping me back to the scene of Professor Lidenbrock and his nephew descending into a volcano. Chuckling, I place the magazines into my Gladstone Bag.
On the platform, George is waiting for me.
“Your carriage awaits”, said George.
George, architect and master builder, is the perfect host. We head for Parliament Street, where I see the Palaces of Westminster for the first time.
“This is an architectural feat that may never be equalled.”, said, George.
We proceed to the Central Lobby, the crossroads of Commons, Lords and Westminster Hall.
“At Parliament’s State Opening, the Monarch sits in the House of Lords and sends the “Black Rod” through this corridor to summon the Commons. As they approach the Common’s Doorkeeper shuts the door in their face.”, said George pointing at the door.
“Why?”, I asked.
“Ahh, that is to do with this gentleman.”, said George, smiling.
He points to a statue of a man, holding a sword with one hand and scrolls with the other.
“I will tell you his story.”, said, George.
———————————- © Graeme Brown 2019 ————————————-
The Hampden Collection 