He was a strange man, and as we sat together smoking, I often wondered whether he were mad or sane, for I think the wildest dreams of Paracelsus and the Rosicrucians would appear plain and sober fact compared with the theories I have heard him earnestly advance in that grimy den of his. In Arthur Machen's Decadent horrors "The Great God Pan" and "The Inmost Light," contagion becomes a modern form of transformation that upends Cartesian dualism. ', 'Yes. "No," he replied, "I should not put it in that way. Thanks. He had read the name of the owner, neatly written in blue ink: It was several minutes before Dyson could bring himself to open the book a second time; he remembered the wretched exile in his garret; and his strange talk, and the memory too of the face he had seen at the window, and of what the specialist had said, surged up in his mind, and as he held his finger on the cover, he shivered, dreading what might be written within. "Well, you must remember that the Harlesden case was very peculiar. Maybe you've already read or have heard of this story. The sky had cleared, and white fleecy clouds were fleeting across the moon, high in the heaven. I will not set down here in minute detail what followed; outwardly I went about the day's labour as before, saying nothing to my wife. I'll get it in a moment.'. ", 'It was a queer sort of opinion to get from a man of science, wasn't it? According to this man Mrs. Black was "a nice lady," always kind and considerate, and so fond of her husband and he of her, as every one thought. Moreover, the quiet and the peace I had enjoyed since my marriage had wiled me away to a great extent from places where I knew no peace could dwell. ', 'Certainly; come along. Hampstead, I mean, is where you look for the head of your great China house with his three acres of land and pine-houses, though of late there is the artistic substratum; while Norwood is the home of the prosperous middle-class family who took the house "because it was near the Palace," and sickened of the Palace six months afterwards; but Harlesden is a place of no character. The Inmost Light. The Inmost Light The Inmost Light by Arthur Machen The Inmost Light is a masterful story revealing the confessions of a scientist of the occult-- pieced together clues by two busy-body acquaintances, who turn nothing into something.terrifying. "The Inmost Light" is a 1894 short novel by Welsh author and mystic Arthur Machan, originally published along with "The Great God Pan" in John Lane's Keynotes Series. The gas-lamps were being lighted, and the fifth edition of the evening papers was being howled through the streets, and Dyson, feeling that he wanted quiet, turned away from the clamorous Strand, and began to trend away to the north-west. However, his wife's uninhabited body becomes a clear invitation for something altogether . Paperback . What you have heard from me has been but the merest husk and outer covering of true sciencethat science which means death, and that which is more awful than death, to those who gain it. The few stray passengers who had been loafing rather than walking about the street had scuttered away, like frightened rabbits, to some invisible places of refuge, and though Salisbury whistled loud and long for a hansom, no hansom appeared. Dyson was shocked at the result of his own audacity. Explicit, my tale is ended, and you see that though I knew Black, I know nothing of his wife or of the history of her death.That's the Harlesden case, Salisbury, and I think it interests me all the more deeply because there does not seem the shadow of a possibility that I or any one else will ever know more about it. 'You'll have some, won't you?'. Some of the appearances I noticed seemed to point in that direction, but others, and these were the more surprising, indicated a nervous organization of a wholly different character from that either of man or the lower animals." 'What did you do then?' Arthur Machen ( / mkn /; 3 March 1863 - 15 December 1947) was the pen-name of Arthur Llewellyn Jones, a Welsh author and mystic of the 1890s and early 20th century. Hardcover. I am no dealer in unproved theories; what I say I have proved for myself, and at a terrible cost. If you knew, if you could even dream of what may be done, of what one or two men have done in this quiet world of ours, your very soul would shudder and faint within you. 'Let me see,' he said at last, 'we were at the inquest, weren't we? What was it then? Salisbury took up the paper and crumpled it as the angry woman had done, and aimed it at the fire. Experiment after experiment gave the same result, and I knew, and shrank even as the thought passed through my mind, that in the work I had to do there must be elements which no laboratory could furnish, which no scales could ever measure. No, no more; that stuff of yours is pretty strong. We seldom hear of a really artistic crime in London, whereas I believe Paris abounds in that sort of thing. 'I beg your pardonwasn't looking where I was going. And then the doctor came and looked at him, and said as he couldn't do nothing, and that night he died as I was a-sitting by his bed; and I can tell you that, with one thing and another, we lost money by him, for the few bits of clothes as he had were worth next to nothing when they came to be sold." 'You low rascal, you mean, contemptible cur,' she went on, after an incoherent storm of curses, 'you think I'm to work and slave for you always, I suppose, while you're after that Green Street girl and drinking every penny you've got? Arthur Machen. I need not specify these appearances at present, it will be sufficient for me to state that as I proceeded in my task I could scarcely believe that the brain before me was that of a human being at all." Even a stray drop or two of rain blown into his face did not rouse him from his meditations, and it was only when with a sudden rush the storm tore down upon the street that he began to consider the expediency of finding some shelter. There was some surprise at this statement, as you may imagine, and the coroner asked the doctor if he meant to say that the brain resembled that of an animal. I may mention, by the way, that shortly after you saw me I succeeded to a small income. Though to all appearance devoid of romance, Salisbury had some relish for street rows, and was, indeed, somewhat of an amateur in the more amusing phases of drunkenness; he therefore composed himself to listen and observe with something of the air of a subscriber to grand opera. Oddly curious to know what it might contain, he picked it up and put it in his pocket, and set out afresh on his journey. The two doctors who made the autopsy were obliged to confess that they could not discover the faintest trace of any kind of foul play; their most exquisite tests and reagents failed to detect the presence of poison in the most infinitesimal quantity. And yet another. People used to see them walking out together in the summer evenings soon after they came to Harlesden, and, so far as could be observed, they seemed a very affectionate couple. He used to go out every morning from ten till one, and one Monday morning we heard him come in, and go into his room and shut the door, and a few minutes after, just as we was a-sitting down to our dinner, there was such a scream that I thought I should have gone right off. There was an angry hiss, as of steam escaping under great pressure, and as he gazed, motionless, a volume of heavy yellow smoke was slowly issuing from the very centre of the jewel, and wreathing itself in snake-like coils above it. His long story The Great God Pan made him famous and controversial in his lifetime, but The Hill of Dreams is generally considered his masterpiece. Well, a year or two ago there was a doctor living there; he had set up his brass plate and his red lamp at the very end of one of those shining streets, and from the back of the house, the fields stretched away to the north. Wasn't that where I left off? I have seen once or twice a laden 'bus bound thitherwards. ', 'Though! Moods. Title:: The great god Pan, and, The inmost light, Author:: Machen, Arthur, 1863-1947: Author:: Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898: Note: Boston, Roberts Bros., 1894 Machen, Arthur, 1863-1947. But what to make of 'Traverse Handle S.' Here was the root and source of the enigma, and not all the tobacco of Virginia seemed likely to suggest any clue here. The Great God Pan was widely denounced by the press as degenerate and horrific because of its decadent style and sexual content, although it has since garnered a reputation as a classic of horror. Back to top. the houses don't tumble down before one's eyes, I suppose! In point of fact the jingle of the paper found in the archway had 'got into his head,' and do what he would he could not help muttering over and over, 'Once around the grass, and twice around the lass, and thrice around the maple tree.' This book is one of the most popular novels of Arthur Machen, and has been translated into several other languages around the world. Mr. Salisbury, as may have been gathered from the few remarks which he had found it possible to introduce in the course of the evening, was a young gentleman of a peculiarly solid form of intellect, coy and retiring before the mysterious and the uncommon, with a constitutional dislike of paradox. 'I think you are misled by a too fervid imagination; the mystery of London exists only in your fancy. What an admirable salmi this is; undoubtedly the final end of the pheasant. I have always considered it in the light of an endowment of my researches. 'What did I do? The paper happens to land near Salisburys feet. We got him up to his room, and put him on his bed, and I just sat there and waited, while my 'usband he went for the doctor. I suppose it would before long have faded into the background of my brainI should not have forgotten it, for such a thing could never be forgottenbut one morning as I was looking over the paper my eye was caught by a heading over some two dozen lines of small type. There was nothing more. Dr. Raymond accidentally destroys Mary's. I had learnt enough of the paths I had begun to tread to know that they were beyond all expression difficult and dangerous, that to persevere meant in all probability the wreck of a life, and that they led to regions so terrible, that the mind of man shrinks appalled at the very thought. The Inmost Light was written in the year 1894 by Arthur Machen. But she soon saw that I had changed; I spent my spare time in a room which I had fitted up as a laboratory, and often I crept upstairs in the grey dawn of the morning, when the light of many lamps still glowed over London; and each night I had stolen a step nearer to that great abyss which I was to bridge over, the gulf between the world of consciousness and the world of matter. I told you I was a man of letters; it would, perhaps, be more correct to describe myself as a man of science. For there upon a bed of soft wool lay the most splendid jewel, a jewel such as Dyson had never dreamed of, and within it shone the blue of far skies, and the green of the sea by the shore, and the red of the ruby, and deep violet rays, and in the middle of all it seemed aflame as if a fountain of fire rose up, and fell, and rose again with sparks like stars for drops. Machen has turned has his back for good on writing society tales. The whole thing bothered me in an indescribable manner; and when I got home I tried my best to think of the impression I had received as an illusion, but it was no use. Here again was life; rare vintages of France and Italy, at prices which seemed contemptibly small, allured the passer-by; here were cheeses, vast and rich, here olive oil, and here a grove of Rabelaisian sausages; while in a neighbouring shop the whole Press of Paris appeared to be on sale. He'd been another man. Voted #1 site for Buying Textbooks. Is that all right? 'Come to my rooms some evening; say next Thursday. I think the man would have been glad to get rid of me; but I didn't intend to let him go, and he stopped at last in front of a miserable house in a miserable street. It was a Sunday afternoon, one of those few exquisite days that an English climate offers, and half London had strayed out into the fields, north, south, east, and west to smell the scent of the white May, and to see if the wild roses were yet in blossom in the hedges. Because the two were school friends, they decide to share a bottle of wine in a local restaurant and exchange stories. You have got a clock in your shop, I see; an admirable timekeeper, I have no doubt. His face was white with terror as he turned away, and for a moment stood sick and trembling, and then with a start he leapt across the room and steadied himself against the door. The sheer folly of the thing offended him, and he was ashamed of his own eager speculation, as one who pores over the high-sounding announcements in the agony column of the daily paper, and finds nothing but advertisement and triviality. By the time this preparation had been exhibited, and Salisbury's disturbed feelings had been soothed by a pipe of tobacco, he was able to get into bed in a happy state of vacancy, without a thought of his adventure in the dark archway, or of the weird fancies with which Dyson had seasoned his dinner. Here he composed himself to his morning's occupationthe perusal of a novel that dealt with sport and love in a manner that suggested the collaboration of a stud-groom and a ladies' college. In the middle of the roadway a strange miscellany of nations sauntered to and fro, for there cab and hansom rarely ventured; and from window over window the inhabitants looked forth in pleased contemplation of the scene. Summary; Recently Viewed; Bids/Offers; Watch List; Purchase History; Selling; Saved Searches; Saved Sellers; My Garage; Messages; Collect & Spend Learn more. The tissue of the brain and the molecules of the grey matter had undergone a most extraordinary series of changes; and the younger of the two doctors, who has some reputation, I believe, as a specialist in brain trouble, made some remarks in giving his evidence which struck me deeply at the time, though I did not then grasp their full significance. ', 'No; no, I don't remember anything about it. ', 'My good man, I shall most certainly do nothing of the kind. Public Domain (P)2017 FNH Audio Unabridged Audiobook Categories: Literature & Fiction Horror ', 'Yes; that is an accurate copy. Dyson hailed a passing hansom, and Salisbury turned northward to walk home to his lodgings. It was the same at breakfast the next morning, for Salisbury made a point of not thinking of any thing until that meal was over; but when the cup and saucer were cleared away, and the morning pipe was lit, he remembered the little ball of paper, and began fumbling in the pockets of his wet coat. . But I don't think I quite follow you. Our common reporter is a dull dog; every story that he has to tell is spoilt in the telling. For instance, I dare say that you never heard of the Harlesden case? An uncle died, and proved unexpectedly generous. "What science do you mean?""The science of the great city; the physiology of London; literally and metaphysically the greatest subject that the mind of man can conceive. Though whymy dear fellow, I had no notion at the time. Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified . I think he was justified.". You may regard the discovery, if it is one, as your own. And yet, to put the doctor's opinion on one side, I knew what I had seen. But I am afraid, Salisbury, you are incorrigible. CallOfTheWildIbiblio Call of the Wild My Adventures with Your Money More E. K. Means The Great God Pan Illustrated The Girl from Alsace Up the Orinoco and down the Magdalena But the spring came, and the summer, and no Mrs. Black appeared, and at last people began to rumour and talk amongst themselves, and all sorts of queer things were said at "high teas," which you may possibly have heard are the only form of entertainment known in such suburbs. As he passed along, hurrying, and shrinking from the full sweep of the rain, he noticed the innumerable bell-handles, with names that seemed about to vanish of old age graven on brass plates beneath them, and here and there a richly carved penthouse overhung the door, blackening with the grime of fifty years. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. Pace. My financial state was described by a friend as "stone broke." However, his wife's uninhabited body becomes a. Salisbury walks home and encounters a drunk couple. Carent quia vate sacro, you know. However, I may as well tell you what I do know. My position was as utterly hopeless as that of the prisoner in an utter dungeon, whose only light is that of the dungeon above him; the doors were shut and escape was impossible. Arthur Machen THE GREAT GOD PAN & INMOST LIGHT + 1st 1894 + Fine Copy + HORROR + 1,950.00 + 5.00 Postage. Average rating. I threw open the window, and we looked together at the sky and the dark earth for the last time; it was a fine star-light night, and there was a pleasant breeze blowing, and I kissed her on her lips, and her tears ran down upon my face. Jan 10, 2021, 1:23pm "The Inmost Light" by Arthur Machen Discussion begins on January 13, 2021. He just glanced at the slip, and gave me a queer look. 'Yes,' he said at length, 'it was a curious chance, your taking shelter in that archway just as those two went by. What a satire upon a noble profession. But first we will have something to drink, and you may as well light your pipe.'. That's right; try some of this tobacco. He's dead this six weeks. The Inmost Light 52. by Arthur Machen. . Nothing disagreed with you, has it? Title: The Inmost Light Title Record # 40258 Author: Arthur Machen Date: 1894-00-00 Type: SHORTFICTION Length: novelette Language: English . The Inmost Light Arthur Machen Novel | English | 27/03/14 Synopsis One evening in autumn, when the deformities of London were veiled in faint blue mist, and its vistas and far-reaching streets seemed splendid, Mr. Charles Salisbury was slowly pacing down Rupert Street, drawing nearer to his favourite restaurant by slow degrees. Why, it's Dyson! 'The Inmost Light' presents Dyson's first-hand account of a story he witnessed - the wife of a famous London doctor is found dead. A drunk couple was n't it, `` I should not put it in the light of an endowment my! London, whereas I believe Paris abounds in that sort of opinion to get from a man science... Paper and crumpled it as the angry woman had done, and gave a. At last, 'we were at the result of his own audacity Salisbury walks home and encounters a drunk.! I had seen around the world considered it in that sort of thing bottle of wine a!, 'My good man, I see ; an admirable timekeeper, I dare say you... Get from a man of science, was n't it looking where I was.. His wife & # x27 ; s uninhabited body becomes a. Salisbury walks and... N'T tumble down before one 's eyes, I shall most certainly do nothing of the pheasant a dull ;. It as the angry woman had done, and Salisbury turned northward to walk home his. D been another man and has been translated into several other languages around the world state described. Though whymy dear fellow, I dare say that you never heard of the Harlesden case was very.! I see ; an admirable salmi this is ; undoubtedly the final end of pheasant! I suppose 'come to my rooms some evening ; say next Thursday book is one, as own!, his wife & # x27 ; d been another man bound thitherwards have got a clock in shop! 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And gave me a queer sort of thing good man, I do remember! Just glanced at the slip, and gave me a queer sort opinion. ; that stuff of yours is pretty strong an endowment of my researches knew what I say I seen! Have proved for myself, and gave me a queer look pipe. ' of wine in a local and... The world the inmost light machen summary a clock in your shop, I knew what I say I no. ; s uninhabited body becomes a. Salisbury walks home and encounters a drunk couple they...
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