Ruth’s Diary

Early in the morning Helen & I packed, keeping out only a few essentials – such as pyjamas for overnight. We then took the suitcases over to Waterloo Station and checked it until we would be leaving the next afternoon. We walked from the station over London Bridge to the Tower of London. We walked through the Bloody Chamber & then to see the magnificent crown jewels. We were fortunate to see them for the next day the room was closed. A visitor there saw something rather mysterious taking place because while there, several men in plain clothes entered the tower. My guess is that they were preparing to remove them from London in case anything happened in the European crisis. From the Tower of London we walked to St. Paul’s. This was just another magnificent church to me as I do not know its historical background, except I think it is considered one of Christopher Wren’s great works. At St. Paul’s Helen & I took a bus down to Trafalgar Square & to Westminster Abbey. They were holding continuous services here – intercessions for peace. We attended one of these services & couldn’t help but be very subdued when one was wondering what time were hostilities going to break out. Everyone being hopeful that it would be avoided. Especially pathetic & tragic were those praying at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It seems even more tragic now that war has been declared (written Sep. 5.). As in every place we visited our time was too limited & we only had time to walk past some of the burial places of famous men & women; for yet in our schedule was #10 Downing Street. There was a crowd in the street at 4:00 – which was dispersed several times by the police. By 5:30 most of them had left, except for a few more persistent ones like myself, & I was fully rewarded for at 5:45 Chamberlin came out from #10 – got into his car & drove past within a few feet of three of us – waving & smiling. I was certainly thrilled. I now proceeded out to the hostel at Highgate. With quite a bit of difficulty I arrived at 7:30. It was pouring rain & I hadn’t yet eaten so I cancelled my plan of going out to Genente Park to see the play Tobias & The Angels.