[Gutenberg 21650] • London Town

Upon the broad Embankment

You’ll find a curious sight,—

The children play around it

From morning until night;

And crowds of grown-up people

Come here to see it too,

‘Tis Cleopatra’s Needle

Folks gather thus to view.

In this charming facsimile of the children’s book London Town, first published in 1883, a young girl travels around London, encountering and appreciating many of the familiar sights and figures of London, including the Tower of London, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and a Beefeater. On her travels she also interacts with many less familiar, but equally intriguing figures, like the muffin man, the Shoeblack brigade, and Orange Girl. Written in verse by Felix Leigh, this book captures the sites and sounds of Victorian London, some still present today, others long forgotten.

Beautifully illustrated by distinguished Victorian illustrators Thomas Crane and Ellen Houghton, London Town will be a treasured gift for London travellers and admirers young and old.