Friday 24 October 2014

Why, there! Don't you see how he's following me?

a collection of myths, legends, ghost stories and poetry supposedly written by Thomas Ingoldsby,

"Now this way, now that way, and won't let me be! Keep him off, Bill - look here - don't let him come near! Only see how the blood-drops his features besmear! What, the dead come to life again! Bless me! Oh dear!" 

The Dead Drummer or a Legend of Salisbury Plain from The Ingoldsby Legends a collection of myths, legends, ghost stories and poetry supposedly written by Thomas Ingoldsby, actually the pen-name of an English clergyman Richard Harris Barham (1788-1845).

The legends were originally serialised in Bentley’s Miscellany Magazine and later in the New Monthly Magazine the version I'm featuring here was published by Macmillan in 1911.  The illustrations are all by Harry G Theaker.




Images from The Ingoldsby Legends or Mirth and Marvels

The Ingoldsby legends or mirth and marvels
Raising his eye so grave and so sage, from some manuscript work of a bygone age.
The Lord of Thoulouse A legend of Languedoc.


The Ingoldsby legends
And in rush'd a troop. Of strange guests! 
The Lay of St. Cuthbert or the Devil's dinner-party. A Legend of the North Countree.


The girl, as they say, ran screaming away.
The old woman clothed in grey A Legend of Dover.

The Ingoldsby Legends H G Theaker illustrations



When at the bed's foot, close beside the post, he verily believed he saw - a Ghost!
Plain, and more plain, the unsubstantial sprite to his astonish'd gaze each moment grew;
Ghastly and gaunt, it rear'd it's shadowy height, of more than mortal seeming to the view, and round its long, thiny bony fingers drew a tatter-d winding-sheet, of course all white; -
The moon that moment peeping through a cloud,
Nick very plainly saw it through the shroud!

The Ghost
From The Ingoldsby Legends
or
Mirth and Marvels
With illustrations in colour by H. G. Theaker 


The Ingoldsby Legends or Mirth and Marvels is now sold, thank you for your interest.


I was thrilled to be one of the lucky recipients of a giveaway hosted by the lovely Yvonne over at Winter Moon. My gift was a copy of The Savage Garden by Mark Mills and as if that wasn't enough Yvonne also included a gorgeous bookmark, a pretty card and a second card with my initial.  Thank you so much Yvonne, I know what I will be reading this All Hallows Eve.



The Witching Hour is nearly upon us – are you reading anything scary? 

32 comments:

  1. Oh Barbara! I absolutely love the sound of that book, and Harry Theaker's illustrations too. Definitely one to add to my list!

    I'm glad your little package arrived safely, I love how you've photographed it ♥

    Happy All Hallow's Reading!

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    1. Hello Yvonne, I absolutely love everything, thank you so much, and you’ve given me an idea! I’m going to try adding ribbons to my March House Books bookmarks. I've always thought they were a bit masculine, so adding ribbon might soften them. I could then have ‘his’ and ‘hers’ styles – some with ribbon some without.
      Harry Theaker’s illustrations are amazing and perfect for this time of the year as is the book you sent me, thank you again.
      Barbara x

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  2. Good morning dear Barbara! Those illustrations are just amazingly well done. There are few modern children's books where the illustrations capture me because I am HOOKED on these older renditions. Magic and emotion are so finely expressed in these old drawings...

    Enjoy your Friday my friend! Anita

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    1. Hello Anita, I’m so pleased you like them.
      Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs Barbara. xx

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  3. What wonderful illustrations, they're so nicely detailed and look like maybe they were done in watercolor because of the wonderful coloring they have. And I'll bet this book of Myths and Legends will set a few chills running down backs.

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    1. Hi Alex, the illustrations are really beautiful, and I like them all but my favourite is the sage from a bygone age. He reminds me of Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter films! Thanks for your visit, Barbara.

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  4. I forgot to mention, I love your family history blog. I have a cousin in Evesham who is doing family history for my dad's side of the family, but she doesn't share it online anymore. You have a real gift for talking about things and making them so interesting, whether it's books or family stories. Thanks for sharing your family with us.

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    1. Thank you Alex, that means such a lot. I’m enjoying the family history blog, but it doesn’t give me many places to hide! The books are so much easier because they more or less speak for themselves; it’s different when I have to find the words.

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  5. Amazingly spooky words, and such good paintings. I love it. Although it would have given me nightmares as a child.

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    1. Hi Roger, it gives me nightmares now! It’s beautifully written and the illustrations are fantastic, but it’s very, very spooky.

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  6. I love that second illustration. It makes me want to start reading Harry Potter. (I never have read it, but I do have most of the books).

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    1. Hello Kristin, I’m sure you would enjoy the HP books. They are a great read. I had a good excuse to read them when they first came out because my grandsons were also reading them, and we could compare notes. I would like to read them all again one day, but the TBR pile is a little high just at the moment. Thanks for calling in and leaving a comment. Barbara.

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  7. So spooky. Interesting how I used to LOVE ghost stories as a child and now I think they are cursed! LOL

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    1. Hi Eve, I’m not sure they are cursed, but just in case I tend to avoid them! hehe

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  8. Oooooh, some of those illustrations are scary! I love the Lord of Thoulouse, love his coat.

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    1. Hello Anne Marie, I love that picture too, there is just so much going on in it. Did you notice the snake on the globe and the crocodile chained to the wall? I’m not sure, but I think the book rest is a skull. Spooky!

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  9. Very creepy!! The Halloween card is more my cup of tea, LOL.

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    1. I couldn't agree more although I do love the artwork in the book. Happy Halloween - I might just go and hide under the bed!

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  10. Dear Barbara,

    Amazing illustrations in this book - just scary enough to send a shiver down your spine.
    Thanks for sharing this.
    Also want to say thank you for the visit to my blog and the kind words you left - I really appreciate this.
    Hope you are enjoying the weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

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    1. Hello Carolyn, thanks for calling over. I’m always happy to share it’s a bit like showing off really! 
      We had a lovely weekend thank you. It included a trip to Bath one of my favourite cities.
      I was very sad when I read your post, my thoughts are with you.
      Barbara xx

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  11. A big fan of myths and legends this sounds like my kind of read. And what about those illustrations? Such attention to detail.

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    1. Hi Tracy, the illustrations are just fabulous. It makes writing a post so much easier!
      Thanks for your visit.

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  12. Wonderful spooky images Barbara! Love that little post card, so cute!

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    1. Thanks Diane, I’m rather fond of that postcard and have another one to share next week. They both went straight into my collection (naturally!) xx

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  13. So much to comment on.

    First, I love the illustrations in the book.
    Second, I also like the cute children in the Halloween card.
    Third, what a lovely gift to receive.

    Thanks for the sweet thoughts on my blog post. I am doing much better after a blood transfusion (apropos for Halloween) and am beginning to be active (slowly) again.

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    1. I’m pleased to hear you are feeling a little better, just try to take life easy for a while (easier said than done I know!)
      Thank you for all the lovely things you said about this post and others, I really appreciate you taking the time to call in. Barbara x

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  14. What wonderful illustrations. I particularly love the one of Lord Thoulouse so many little details, I love the whole scene Actually the whole scene seems to be more magical than evil looking to me and ah that adorable supposedly evil looking cat too cute:-)
    I am not one who likes to read ghost stories but perhaps I should read this one it looks so intriguing. As a kid I did not read them as it used to scare me :-)

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    1. Hi Shashi, I agree Lord Thoulouse is fabulous! It must be wonderful to be able to draw/paint like that. The cat does look sweet all except for his funny green eyes. I'm not sure I would like to have them follow me around!

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  15. Its certainly good to be back here among friends and beautiful books of yours..
    Yes, I agree with Shashi.. Lord Thoulouse is magnificent in his cosmic robe.The crocodile and the other details made that scene truly magical.Its one of the books which I would love to not only read but treasure ... like your all others .
    moving to your other posts.. don't want to miss any book :)
    Love, Kokila

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    1. Hi Kokila, I’m so glad you’re back. I've just had fun catching up with your latest posts. Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave such lovely comments. Barbara x

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  16. I haven't read these legends, but they sound perfect for this time of year!

    Congrats on your fabulous win! Yeah!

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    1. Good Morning Stephanie, I must agree, what better time to read terrifying tales than now.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx