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9
From the highest part of Harrow it is said that portions
of as many as thirteen counties may be seen.
The physical features resemble those of the neighbouring
heights of Hampstead and Highgate, capped
with Bagshot sand in parts and lying on London clay,
this clay being about a hundred feet deep more or less,
with the Reading beds below averaging 40 or 50 feet,
and is found to present considerable variety in composition
and colour, brown beds intermingled with yellow
sand, dark smoke coloured clay streaked with green sand
with pebbles showing occasionally as outcrop.
No doubt this clay renders the District damp, but
in recent years this has been counter-balanced by better
house construction, by repairs after constant inspection,
and by drainage.
Although so well situated, the Town unquestionably
derives its chief importance from the existence of the
celebrated School, comprising the old John Lyon
School House, the Speech Room, the Chapel, the
Vaughan Library, the Museum, the Laboratories, Art
School, Sanatorium, Swimming Bath (Ducker), etc.,
together with about thirty School Houses.
Owing to the foresight and generosity of the School
authorities and their friends 400 acres of greenlands,
chiefly on the East side, have been secured for all time
for School purposes, such as playing fields, etc.
Nearly all the commercial side of the Town lies to
the North, and has developed considerably in the last
few years on modern lines.
There are two Cinema Halls, one of recent construction,
and several assembly rooms, periodically inspected.
There are very few factories in the district.
Harrow is approached by three lines of railway:—
1. Metropolitan and London and North-Eastern.
2. London Midland and Scottish.
3. District Railway.
4. Another branch of the L.N.E.R. in South
Harrow.
There are four railway stations in the district.