Take this morning. New York doesn’t so much awake as burst into life. I watch the residents of the neighbouring boarding-houses set out for work in their brown suits, cutting across the square to Broadway. I can hear the rumble of the streetcars they will catch and the cries of the newspaper hawkers on the corner. Even this early, the city hums and crackles with energy.

Breakfast in my new abode, however, is an oasis of calm Englishness—pots of tea and bread and butter. Do not assume from this that I am one of those people intent on diluting the experience of living here by recreating my homeland. I intend to become, as far as I can, a true New Yorker, but there are limits. I cannot take to coffee first thing, though my well-travelled and very dear companion prefers it. She misses the banquet that was the breakfast offered by the Fifth Avenue Hotel, where we have until recently been residing, too. During our stay, she dedicatedly worked her way through the entire menu. Everything but hominy met with her approval, and I confess that I feel the same. We were assured that it was like porridge, and both being Scotswomen were predisposed to enjoy it, but it was nothing like our traditional oats. I take my porridge with cream and salt. My companion puts sugar on hers—sacrilege! I have heard tell of others who have it with stewed fruit, with honey, or even strawberries. Abomination! Does the serving of hominy arouse as much controversy? I must investigate.

I spent the morning, Diary Dear, arranging my furniture and my linens; but in the afternoon, having had a surfeit of domestic bliss, I decided to take a trip uptown in a streetcar. A first! The place I have chosen to live is positioned quite literally at a crossroads in the city. In one direction live those who can choose to work or not, and in the other direction are those who have no option. In Dublin and London the rich and the poor live cheek by jowl. I have not yet encountered this in New York, but perhaps I’ve not strayed far enough yet? In my experience one learns most about a place by accident. Happily I am very prone to accidents!