Christopher Wren (1632-1723). St. Paul's Cathedral with its huge dome and rows of columns is
considered to be a fine specimen of Renaissance architecture. In one of its towers hangs one of the
largest bells in the world, Great Paul, weighing about 17.5 tons. Wellington,29 Nelson30 and other
great men of England are buried in the Cathedral.
Not far away, in Westminster, where most of the Government buildings are situated, is
Westminster Abbey. Many English sovereigns, outstanding statesmen, painters and poets (Newton,
Darwin, and Tennyson among them) are buried here.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, the seat of the British
Parliament. Its two graceful towers stand high above the city. The higher of the two contains the
largest clock in the country and the famous bell Big Ben that strikes every quarter of the hour.
If now we walk along Whitehall, we shall soon come to Trafalgar Square. It was so named in
memory of the victory in the battle of Trafalgar, where on October 21, 1805 the English fleet under
Nelson's command defeated the combined fleet of France and Spain. The victory was won at the cost
of Nelson's life. In the middle of Trafalgar Square stands Nelson's monument — a tall column with
the figure of Nelson at its top. The column is guarded by four bronze lions.
The fine building facing the square is the National Gallery and adjoining it (but just round the
corner) is the Portrait Gallery.
Not far away is the British Museum — the biggest Museum in London. It contains a priceless
collection of different things (ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc.). The British Museum is
famous for its library — one of the richest in the world.31 In its large circular reading room Marx,
Engels and later Lenin used to work.
And now, even if you have almost no time left for further sightseeing, you cannot leave the
city without visiting Hyde Park or "the Park" as Londoners call it. When you are walking along its
shady avenues, sitting on the grass, admiring its beautiful flower-beds or watching swans and ducks
floating on the ponds, it seems almost unbelievable that all around there is a large city with its heavy
traffic.
TEXT B. SIGHTSEEING
— Is it possible to see anything of London in one or two days?
— Well, yes, but, of course, not half enough.
— What do you think I ought to see first?
— Well, if you are interested in churches and historic places you should go to Westminster
Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's and the Tower. Do you like art galleries?