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April 15, 2007
Book Review
“Here it is” Knowledge of London with Routes for Drivers — The Pin-Pointed Guide. Written and compiled by Colin A. Hunt (Knowledge of London Instructor) and Kenneth J. Cousland, M.B.E., T.D. (Editor)
From Mr. Hunt's introduction:
Having had over 40 years driving experience, principally on the London streets, I am well qualified to say that I know my streets of London. Since the last War, I have been instructing men in the Knowledge of London, to enable them to pass the very trying examination set by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, for the licence to drive a London taxi-cab.
Mr. Kenneth Cousland, the Editor of this guide, visited my school, listened to my lectures and persuaded me to put my “knowledge” at the disposal of all motorists. This publication is the result of our efforts.
This guide will be found different to any so far published, in that I eliminate the constant reference to maps.
[…] In this book I am putting into practice a method of using well known landmarks, large or public buildings, stations, shops, road junctions etc. to “pin point” the address required. For example, let us say the destination is opposite the Marble Arch, Selfridges or so many yards from a railway station. This is the conversation way of directing, which I have found very successful in teaching the “knowledge.”
Obviously it was unfair of me to suggest that Mr. Hunt might have been a failed cabbie. I think my confusion is understandable, as it's difficult to see why this book was published. Despite being aimed at the general motorist, I can't see that it would be much use to anyone who wasn't actually trying to learn the knowledge. (And then they'd probably be better off going to a school such as Mr. Hunt's.) Editorial enthusiasm, perhaps.
The book can't directly help a driver find a route through London (unless it happens to co-incide with one of the standard routes); but if they devoted a few years of study to it then they'd be able to find any route without needing the help of a book.
Most of the book is made up of a directory of “points”: stations, department stores, squares, barracks, colleges, dance halls, embassies, etc. So if you want to know the whereabouts of the offices of the Primrose League (no idea), then you look up:
Primrose League, 54 Victoria St., SW1., north side, opposite Army & Navy Stores, adjacent corner of Buckingham Gate, quarter mile east of Victoria Station, three quarters of a mile west of Westminster Station via Bridge St., Parliament Sq., Broad Sanctuary.
There is also a section giving brief descriptions of the Knowledge of London routes, e.g.:
MANOR HOUSE STATION TO GIBSON SQUARE:—
Leave on the left Green Lanes (passing Clissold Part on the left), bear right Petherton Rd., cross Grosvenor Ave. to Wallace Rd., cross St. Paul's Rd. to Canonbury Part North, Canonbury Pl., Canonbury Sq., Canonbury Lane, left Upper St., right Barnsbury St., left Milner Sq., Milner Pl., Gibson Sq. facing. Alternative:—Upper St., right Theberton St., Gibson Sq. on the right.
The book also includes large scale maps of the City and the West End. My guess is that their inclusion is solely due to Mr. Cousland (editor and publisher).
Posted by robin2 at April 15, 2007 02:49 PM