C 239 ) 



SUNLIGHT IN A LONDON SQUARE* 



THERE are days now and again when the summer 

 broods in Trafalgar Square ; the flood of light from a 

 cloudless sky gathers and grows, thickening the air ; 

 the houses enclose the beams as water is enclosed in a 

 cup. Sideways from the white-painted walls light is 

 reflected; upwards from the broad, heated pavement 

 in the centre light and heat ascend; from the blue 

 heaven it presses downwards. Not only from the sun 

 one point but from the entire width of the visible 

 blue the brilliant stream flows. Summer is enclosed 

 between the banks of houses all summer's glow and 

 glory of exceeding brightness. The blue panel over- 

 head has but a stray fleck of cloud, a Cupid drawn on 

 the panel in pure white, but made indefinite by 

 distance. The joyous swallows climb high into the 

 illuminated air till the eye, daunted by the glow, can 

 scarce detect their white breasts as they turn. 



Slant shadows from the western side give but a 

 margin of contrast; the rays are reflected through 

 them, and they are only shadows of shadows. At the 



* The sunlight and the winds enter London, and the life of the 

 fields is there too, if you will but >ee it. 



