The Scramble for Wealth

We must expect for a long time yet to see capitalists still striving to obtain the highest possible profits.

Lots Road Power Station, Kensington & Chelsea, SW10

But observe, that the passion for wealth is certainly in some senses new. It grew up very rapidly at the beginning of the present century; it was not so strong in the last century, when men were much more content to lead a quiet easy life of leisure.

Lots Road Power Station, Kensington & Chelsea, SW10

The change has really influenced the relations between men; but in the future it is quite possible that the scramble for wealth may grow less intense, and a change in the opposite direction take place.

From Arnold Toynbee’s Lectures on The Industrial Revolution in England (1884)

St Thomas More

There are several sorts of religions, not only in different parts of the island, but even in every town;

L Cubitt Bevis' St Thomas More, Chelsea Old Church, Kensington & Chelsea, SW3

some worshipping the sun, others the moon or one of the planets.

From Thomas More’s Utopia (1516)

Brace of Gasometers

‘I come here to your beautiful country -’ Mr Raj saw through the window bare branches, coil after coil of dirty clouds, washing on neighbour lines, forlorn pecking birds, a distant brace of gasometers.

Regent's Canal, Haggerston, Tower Hamlets, E2

‘- your beautiful country, I say,’ he said defiantly.

Queenstown Road, Battersea, Wandsworth, SW8

‘…So far I have had mixed career. Fights and insults, complete lack of sexual sustenance – most necessary to men in prime of life – and inability to find accommodation commensurate with social position and academic attainments…’

Imperial Road, Hammersmith & Fulham, SW6

From Anthony Burgess’ The Right to an Answer (1960)