Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1925)

Pictures and P/chjre$uer I guess I've had my share of adventures out of life, but one of the biggest thrills I've 'ever experienced was when I woke at dawn on board the " Aquitania " and caught my first glimpse of the English, coast, a far off line of white, shrouded in early morning mists. For so many years I'd planned the time when I should visit your wonderful old country and when I found myself actually in sight of it at last, it sure seemed almost too good to be true. Long before the "Aquitania" docked, 1 was up and dressed, eager to set foot in Southampton, and when at last we arrived and I saw the great crowd of people, headed by the deputy Mayor of Southampton and other town officials, all waiting to welcome Tony and me as we went down the gangway together, I reckon I enjoyed one of the happiest moments of my life. You English people sure are a hospitable race ! After attending a welcome lunch, we drove to the station where a special train was waiting to take us up to London. I saw Tony comfortably settled in the loose box that had been provided for him.^and then started the journey through your wonderful English scenery to Waterloo station. Here again the crowds that had gathered to greet me, and especially the hordes of cheering boys and girls, im / % B LoAdOfr Photo : Al fieri Picture Service. Tom and Tony in Town. TLS pressed and touched me beyond words. We left the train, after some photos had been taken of my wife and Thomasina, Tony and me, and I tell you Tony just jumped with delight at being on solid ground again. In the Rolls Royce that had been placed at our disposal I experienced the first fright that London had for me, for the reversion of the traffic rules from those in America made me feel that we were going to crash into something at every corner we went round. In fact I must confess that once or twice I grabbed Thomasina, honest, I believe I should have jumped clean out of the car with .her if it had been an open one. However, we arrived at the Savoy without any accident and went upstairs to our suite of rooms. Here I was delighted to find that my windows looked right out over the Thames, and I was able to feast my eyes on what I consider the most wonderful section of your most wonderful London. A Iter that the days of my visit seemed ^^ to pass in a regular whirl of thrills and excitement. Wherever I went the children seemed to gather in their hundreds, and the way they fussed about Tony made me feel real glad that I'd decided to bring him with me on the trip. One of the first things I did on my arrival was to visit the Broadcasting headquarters, where I spoke on the wireless. I've several times done this in America, but it was a little strange to me here, at first, because your transmitter seems to be a newer and more up-to-date model than those I have used in the States. One of the most enjoyable visits I made during my trip was to the Mansion House, where your Lord Mayor, Sir Alfred Bower, did me the honour of receiving me. I was greatly impressed by the dignity of everything and everybody connected with the place, and had a right good time being shown all over it by Lady Bower. I saw the Banqueting Hall and Drawing Rooms, and Went down into the kitchens, where the chef told me how he made his famous turtle soup — then from there we went to the strong room and saw regular piles of honest to goodness gold plate. I reckon it would be almost a pleasure to be fined in such a wonderful place ! My next visit was to Scotland Yard where I got permission for my firearms, and in the evening I attended the Stage Guild Ball. Everybody was just fine to me wherever I went, and what impressed me more than anything was the