\n1. Best known for his witty, ingenious novels, Ronald Firbank\nbegan his literary apprenticeship as a writer of short stories. In\nhis writings he cultivated a style which, through his use of\ndialogue and concentration of language and image, is considered\ntoday to be quite innovative. One of his most popular novels, The\nFlower Beneath the Foot begins: Neither her Gaudiness the Mistress\nof the Robes, or her Dreaminess the Queen were feeling quite\nthemselves. In the Palace all was speculation. Would they be able\nto attend the Fetes in honor of King Jotifa, and Queen Thleeanouhee\nof the Land of Dates?-Court opinion seemed largely divided.\nCountess Medusa Rappa, a woman easily disturbable, was prepared to\nwager what the Countess of Tolga liked (she knew), that another\nweek would find the Court shivering beneath the vaulted domes of\nthe Summer-Palace.\n\n\n