noon
Each other month in London has its charms for the experienced . Even from August to October , when The Season lies dormant , and Fashion forbids her sons to be seen within hearing of Bow , the true lover of London finds pleasure still at hand , if he search for her duly . There are the early walks through the parks and green Kensington Gardens , which now change their character of resort , and seem rural and countrylike , but yet with more life than the country ; for on the benches beneath the trees , and along the sward , and up the malls , are living beings enough to interest the eye and divert the thoughts , if you are a guesser into character , and amateur of the human face , -- fresh nursery-maid and playful children ; and the old shabby-genteel , buttoned - up officer , musing on half-pay , as he sits alone in some alcove of Kenna , or leans pensive over the rail of the vacant Ring ; and early tradesman , or clerk from the suburban lodging , trudging brisk to his business , -- for business never ceases in London . Then at noon , what delight to escape to the banks at Putney or Richmond , -- the row up the river ; the fishing punt ; the ease at your inn till dark ! or if this tempt not , still Autumn shines clear and calm over the roofs , where the smoke has a holiday ; and how clean gleam the vistas through the tranquillized thoroughfares ; and as you saunter along , you have all London to yourself , Andrew Selkirk , but with the mart of the world for your desert . And when October comes on , it has one characteristic of spring , -- life busily returns to the city ; you see the shops bustling up , trade flowing back . As birds scent the April , so the children of commerce plume their wings and prepare for the first slack returns of the season .