NOVEMBER 9th
LORD MAYOR’S DAY
I pressed some little way farther through the throng of people, and caught a glimpse of some things that are never seen in Fleet Street. I mean real green which is like the grass in the glaring sun, and real blue that is like the burning sky in another quarter of the world, and real gold that is like fire that cannot be quenched, and real red that is like savage roses and the wine that is the blood of God. Nor was it a contemptible system of ideas that was supposed to be depicted by these colours of flags and shields and shining horsemen. It was at least supposed to be England, which made us all; it was at least supposed to be London, which made me and better men. I at least am not so made that I can make sport of such symbols. There in whatever ungainly procession, there on whatever ugly shields, there was the cross of St. George and the sword of St. Paul. Even if all men should go utterly away from everything that is symbolized, the last symbol will impress them. If no one should be left in the world except a million open malefactors and one hypocrite, that hypocrite will still remind them of holiness.
‘Daily News.’
Chesterton, G. K.. The G. K. Chesterton Collection [50 Books] (Kindle Locations 45231-45240). Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Footnote- Today was Lord Mayor's Day when GKC penned this. It is no longer. Whilst from 1751 until 1959, it was held on 9 November, it is now held on the second Saturday in November, whatever date that might be.
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