22 MARCH 1924, Page 11

There are two ways of approaching a building. It may

be seen far off terminating a long vista or dominating its surroundings. As one goes towards it one gradually absorbs it with either increasing admiration or increasing dislike. Or else a building may suddenly burst upon one and give one a sudden surge of pleasure which leaves no time for the finer shades of the critical faculty to bear upon it. I imagine that it was so that Wordsworth saw his daffodils. He did not at a distance of several hundred yards perceive a patch by the roadside which gradually assumed the shape of flowers. He walked suddenly round a large rock and there in front of him he saw the little yellow dancers and his heart thrilled. In the same way I first saw from the top of a 'bus coming down Grosvenor Gardens a new building known as Victoria House, which has just risen above the underground station bearing the same illustrious name. It gave me almost a shock of pleasure, which further inspection has not dissipated.

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