News from the Duchy

I hardly can bring myself to part with this story, it has brought such private joy to me.

I had taken an afternoon’s holiday to make a pilgrimage: my goal being a small parish church that lies remote from the railway, five good miles from the tiniest of country stations … and to carry me on my first stage I had taken a crawling local train. I will not deny that I dozed at intervals, in my empty smoking compartment …

But I wish to make it clear that I came on the Vision with eyes open – and that it left me staring, and as wide-awake as Macbeth – for here, in this green corner of rural England on a workaday afternoon, in full sunlight, I saw a company of ancient god-like beings sitting, naked and unabashed – and piping – to my astonishment! – while twelve British navvies danced to their music! … I saw it; and a derisive whistle from the engine told me that driver and stoker saw it, too. I was not dreaming, then!

So begins a journey from everyday life of modern England – to the realm of mystery and beauty … from the author of The Splendid Spur and Naughts and Crosses.