uring
the severe cold of winter is, to some extent, answerable for this,
and the extremes of temperature in summer and winter are doubtless
another cause.

While perambulating Chicago, being a stranger, I had to ask my way,
and I was then struck, as I had been both in New York and San
Francisco, how much better the place desired is pointed out in
London. Say you want to find Bond Street and ask the way. If anywhere
in the vicinity, the answer is, "Second to the right, first to the
left, and first again to the left," or as it may be, and following
such a direction is not difficult. Having found Bond Street, the
houses are all numbered, and so you easily get to the one you want.

Say in any American city there is a street called Montgomery Street
and you ask your way there. The answer is, "On Tenth, between Market
and Cheese," and the interrogated passes on. You think the man is
laughing at you, are angry, and ask again. A woman this time, the men
all seem in such a woful hurry. Again the same answer, "On Tenth,
between Market and Cheese." You are bewildered. Can this be a
stereotyped joke? You essay a third time, result the same. But the
third person you ask is perhaps more considerate, and, seeing your
look of astonishment, and divining you are a Britisher, he deigns to
explain. After listening a few minutes, you find that the said answer
should read, "Out of Tenth Street, between Market Street and Cheese
Street;" and adds the interrogated, "But, you see, we've no time to
spare in this city, and so answer as short as we can; besides every
one knows 'Cheese' means Cheese Street."

Well, anyhow, you now know that Montgomery Street, which you seek,
leads out of Tenth Street, and is between Market Street and Cheese
Street. The first thing, of course, is to find Tenth Street. You ask
your way there. The same answer in kind, though not in words, "On
Lawrence, between Nine and Eleven." You do not now think it is a
joke, and though confused, determined to see where it will end, you
ask again for Lawrence Street. This time you are lucky, Lawrence
Street abuts on the street you are in, which is Eighth Street, and
the answer is, "Three blocks on." You have learnt before this that
all American towns are built in blocks, the streets running between.
So "three blocks on" is tantamout to "four turnings on," and thus you
easily find Lawrence Street. If you have not forgotten, which you
likely enough have, the previous directions, y