Thus The Economist a year or so back. Startled, I agreed. And I still agree. Every visit to London cheers me up in spite of the hubbub and grime. But I wonder why so many Londoners behave as though they are tired of life. They are haggard, jittery, crabby. Chances are they missed that issue of The Economist.

Addendum (January 26, 2003)

After I sent this piece to my art list yesterday morning, I forwarded it to The Economist, as well. This morning I found responses from Charles Thomson and Arnd Schneider, both of whom mentioned in passing that this exultation of London was Dr. Johnson’s. On account of its notoriety, The Economist did not bother attributing the quip, but I still felt like teasing them a bit by attributing it to them.