London is a riddle. Paris is an explanation.

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), All Things Considered

London, thou art of townes A per se. / Soveraign of cities, seemliest in sight, / Of high renoun, riches and royaltie; / Of lordis, barons, and many a goodly knyght; / Of most delectable lusty ladies bright; / Of famous prelatis, in habitis clericall; / Of merchauntis full of substaunce and of myght: / London, thou art the flour of Cities all.

William Dunbar (c.1456-c.1513)

To a lover of books, the shops and sales in London present irresistible temptations.

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794)

I landed in London on a wintry autumn evening. It was dark and raining, and I saw more fog and mud in a minute than I had seen in a year.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

The amusements of London seemed as flat as soda-water that has been standing in the sun.

John Buchan (1875-1940), The Thirty-Nine Steps