Avon Fantasy Reader No. 12 — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

An Episode of Cathedral History by MR. fames “An Episode of Cathedral History” ts one of the least reprinted tales of the late Provost of Eton College, Dr. Montague Rhodes James. But it is one of the five James stories singled out by H. P. Lovecraft as worth special note. In “Supernatural Horror in Literature,” Lovecraft summarizes the rules laid down by Dr. James for the macabre tale. “A ghost story, he believes, should have a familiar setting in the modern period, in order to ap- proach closely the reader's sphere of existence. Its spectral phenomena should be malevolent rather than beneficent, since fear is the emotion primarily to be excited. And finally the technical patois of occultism or pseudo-science ought to be avoided lest the charm be smothered in tnconvincing pedantry.” The reader will note for himself how Dr. James utilized these rules to work his horrific climax. HERE WAS once a learned gentleman who was deputed to examine and report upon the archives of the Cathedral of Southmin- ster. The examination of these records demanded a very considerable expenditure of time: hence it became advisable for him to engage lodgings in the city: for though the Cathedral body were profuse in their offers of hospitality, Mr. Lake felt that he would prefer to be master of his day. This was recognized as reasonable. The Dean eventually wrote advising Mr. Lake, if he were not al- ready suited, to communicate with Mr. Worby, the principal Verger, who occupied a house convenient to the church and was prepared to take in a quict lodger for three or four weeks. Such an arrangement was precisely what Mr. Lake desired. Terms were easil agveat upon, and early in December, like another Mr. Datchery (as he remarked to himself), the investigator found himself in the occupation of a very comfortable room in an ancient and “cathedraly” house. One so familiar with the customs of Cathedral churches, and treated with such obvious consideration by the Dean and Chapter of this Cathedral in particular, could not fail to command the respect of the Head Verger, Mr. Worby even acquiesced in certain modifications of ; statements he had becn accustomed to offer for years to parties of visitors. Mr. Lake, on his part, found the Verger a very cheery com- panion, and took advantage of any occasion that presented itself for enjoying his conversation when the day’s work was over. 102 comicbooks.com 7