In the city of London . . . he had never, in the whole course of his life, found above three or four whom he could call throughly honest.

Tobias Smollett (1721-1771)

London is the greatest show on Earth, for never have so many human characters been gathered together at one place. Here, in a day, you see the world.

Laurie Lee (1914-1997)

Ah, London! London! Our delight, / Great flower that opens but at night, / Great City of the midnight sun, / Whose day begins when day is done.

Richard La Gallienne (1866-1947)

We cheered the King and the Queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the streets. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief. I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.

Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), Speaking to the BBC about joining street celebrations for VE Day in London in May 1945

The lighted shops of the Strand and Fleet Street; the innumerable trades, tradesmen, and customers, coaches, wagons, playhouses; all the bustle and wickedness round about Covent Garden; the very women of the town; the watchmen, drunken scenes, rattles; life awake, if you awake, at all hours of the night; . . . I often shed tears in the motley Strand from fullness of joy at so much life.

Charles Lamb (1779-1834)