BATHS AND BATHING
Swimming and private baths, maintained by the local authorities, are to be found in nearly every quarter. An open-air swim can be had in the Serpentine, Hyde Park, before 8 a.m. and during summer months between 6 and 8.30 p.m. also; at the Ponds on Hampstead Heath, and in most of the parks.
Of Turkish Baths the best known are the Charring Cross, Northumberland Avenue; Imperial, Southampton Row; the Hamman, 76, Jermyn Street, W.; Broad Street, Broad Street House, E.C. In nearly all the charge is reduced after 6 or 7 p.m.
BRITISH MONEY Since the War gold coins (sovereigns and half-suvereigns) have practically disappeared, being replaced by Notes of the face value of twenty shillings and ten shillings The silver coins are the crown (5s.), now very rare; half-crown (2s. 6d.); florin (2s.); shilling; sixpence (half a shilling); and threepence. Be careful to distinguish between half-crowns and Florins; the former are larger. Bronze, or copper: penny (1d.), halfpenny (1/2d.), and farthing (1/4s.). Farthings are but little used except at drapers’ establishment and in the poorer districts.
Notes are also issued by the Bank of England for sums of £5, £10, £20, #50, and upwards.
DISTRICT MESSENGERS
The uniformed lads employed by the District Messenger Service Co. are useful auxiliaries to the Post Office. Their services can be secured at a fixed charge per hour or per day, in addition to fares. The head of6ces are at 100, St. Martin’s Lane, W.C., but there are many branches in the City and West End The Company are agents for the principal motor-coach services, and also supply tickets for all London theatres.
DRESS CODE
Visitors from abroad desirous of doing in London as Londoners do may welcome a hint or two under this head, though great latitude is allowed, and all varieties of costume may be seen in the streets. For formal calls and social events of importance a black morning coat and silk hat are de rigueur but City and business men are usually content with lounge suits, and " bowlers," and soft felt hats are generally worn. Evening dress is usual when dining at high-class restaurants and is compulsory for those who desire to dance (this does not, of course, apply to dance teas). At theatres, evening dress is nearly always worn in the boxes and stalls, and generally in the dress circle.
EARLY CLOSING
Shops are compelled by law to allow their assistants a weekly half-holiday. The day of dosing varies in different districts, Wednesday and Thursday being the most usual Nearly all City and West End shops close at 1 on Saturdays.
MONEY CHANGERS
Foreign money can be exchange for English at the various branches, in the City and West End, of Cooks’ Tourist Offices; at Davison’s, 148, Strand; the Bureau de. Change, 16, Strand; Selfridge’s, Oxford Street; Harrod’s, Brompton Road; Whiteley’s, Queen’s Road; and elsewhere.
NEWSPAPERS
Of the many hundreds of newspapers and periodicals published in London, the ordinary visitor is likely only to make acquaintance with the principal morning and evening and the illustrated weekly papers. These are some of the important ones:
Many Overseas Papers have offices in London, at which copies of recent issues can be obtained.
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