Illustration of All Souls' Church, Langham Place, London

The Churches Of The Metropolis No. IX – All Souls’ Church, Langham Place

The improvements which originated in the Regency of George the Fourth, and converted Swallow-street, with its filthy labyrinthine environs, into the moet picturesque avenue of the metropolis, may be considered as the first step in the march of architectural embellishment which is now visible from the western entrance to Babylon the Great, at Hyde-park-corner, to the “far east,” where sits the old lady of Threadneedle-street, rubbing her eyes and spectacles in astonishment at finding herself the heart and centre of a city of palaces.

Where has commerce such a mart,
So rich, so thronged, so drained, and so supplied,
As LONDON—opulent, enlarged, and still
Increasing London? Babylon of old
Not more the glory of the earth than she,
A more accomplished world’s chief glory now!

Illustration of a Japanese assault on Russian trenches during the Russo-Japanese War

Battle Won By A Night Attack

Tokio, Saturday.

General Oku estimates the Russian losses at Ta-shi-chao at 2,000 at least. Immediate withdrawal alone averted greater disaster to the Russians. The fighting round the fortifications on Tai-ping-ling was desperate. It was there that the Japanese sustained the heaviest losses. Their casualties in the entire engagement are estimated at 1,000.

The Russian defences were the beat the Japanese have yet encountered. Folds of rooted-in trenches were extended round the steep bills, and gun emplacements protected by wire entanglements barred the ravines. A hundred and twenty guns barred the progress of the infantry. On Sunday a single Japanese detachment succeeded in penetrated the Russian line, but was driven back. The Japanese artillery, being at disadvantage, was unable to make any impression on the enemy.