1. Cable operated — двигались по кабелю

2. Tube — метрополитен (в Лондоне); "Twopenny Tube" — двух­пенсовая подземка

PARKS AND GARDENS OF LONDON

Londoners do not have to go far to find green fields and flowers, for London is very rich in parks and gardens. There are lawns and flower-beds, fountains and avenues in the parks, but mostly the parks consist of trees and grass and water. They are planned to look very natural. You can spend your time between early hours in the morning till late in the evening in the country—without leaving London.

Londoners love their parks and are proud of them. The air in the parks is full of scents of flowers and plants. You may walk on the soft green grass among ancient oaks. Between the trees you can see the glittering water. If you are in Richmond park, you see the Thames flowing past and the boats on it. Regent's Park is famous for an open-air theatre where every summer Shakespeare's comedies are performed. St. James's Park is very beautiful with its graceful trees and flower-beds. But probably best-loved of all is Hyde Park where you can find many outdoor entertainments. Hyde Park is famous for its "Speakers' Corner". Here on a Sunday morning you will find a number of strange looking people, each standing on a box or a small platform brought with himself and each making a long and earnest speech about something he believes to be very important. Small crowds gather and argue and ask ques­tions and then drift away to the next speaker.

LONDON CLUBS

The word "club" is one of those words which has found its way into a great many languages. A club is usually associated with some sport or with social purposes, some­times with both.

Most of the clubs are situated in the same small area, known as St. James's. At midday you can see clubmen going along its streets with serious looks on their faces, as if they were going to church. And, indeed, club membership is a part of their professional and business life.

Membership of the clubs is regarded as carrying a cer­tain social prestige.

Most of the clubs are old. They derived from a coffee­house, where Englishmen gathered for company and con­versation.

The two chief political parties of England formed their 'own clubs. For the Conservatives the chief club is the Carlton where party history has often been made. The Labourists founded the Reform club.

All the clubs are managed by committees of members. The members of all clubs are to be elected.

All the clubs are proud of their history and carefully guard their traditions. Applicants for membership are carefully considered.

The London clubs move with the times. More than eighty years ago, clubs were regarded to be only male territory. The principle of introducing lady members began early in this century in some clubs. Now nearly all the clubs are open for both men and women.

After the last war it was said that the London clubs were in decline from which they would never recover. Dam­aged buildings, lack of new members, shortage of staff-there were many difficulties. But these were overcome and today the West End clubs are as flourishing as ever.

THEATRES IN ENGLAND

The centre of theatrical activity is London, where it is concentrated mainly in London's West End. Theatres are very much the same in London as anywhere else. If you are staying in London for a few days, you will have no dif­ficulty in finding somewhere to spend an evening. You will find opera, comedy, dramas, musical comedy, variety. The performances start at about eight and finish at about eleven. Seats are expensive and a night out at a theatre ¹ is quite a luxury for the average Londoners. Most theatres and musical halls have good orchestras, with popular conductors.

Theatre organization in England differs greatly from that in the USSR. Only a few theatres have their own per­manent companies. Troups are formed for a season, some­times even for a single play.

Some of the most known theatres in England are: Royal Opera House, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Old Vic ² and others.

Notes