The storm had descended swiftly, sweeping in suddenly from the sea, driving across the downs to the hills at high speed, blotting out the faint rays of a crescent moon and hiding the country-side beneath a pall of blackness, which was forked at intervals by flashes of lightning. The darkness was so impenetrable, and the fury of the storm so fierce, that Harry Marsland pulled his hat well over his eyes and bent over his horse's neck to shield his face from the driving rain, trusting to the ...

Daphnis and Chloe is the most acclaimed of the early Greek novels. Its popularity is enhanced by the splendid illustrations it has generated - from High Victorian to Bonnard and Maillol, and of course musically in the ballet of Ravel. There are numerous translations of the prose text of Longus, but the reader may sense that something is missing, that some poetic charm in the original has been lost. Accordingly, John Watson has devised a metrical version in which, it is hoped, the ...

The book is a collection of stories and anecdotes detailing the experiences of a poacher, from his methods of evading gamekeepers to his intimate knowledge of the countryside and its wildlife. Watson presents poaching not just as a crime but as a craft and a way of life, showcasing the skill and cunning required to outsmart both the law and the natural challenges of the landscape. He describes the tools of the trade, such as snares, traps, and nets, and gives insight into the behavior of a...

The Mystery of the Downs is a captivating anthology that compiles a dazzling array of mystery narratives set against the haunting and enigmatic landscapes of the English Downs. This collection offers an exhilarating tapestry of suspenseful tales that seamlessly fuse elements of traditional whodunits with intricate character studies and psychological depth. Each story within this anthology unfolds a meticulously woven plot, rich in atmospheric tension and profound insight into the human exp...

This book was created when John Watson McCrindle lived and worked in India as a schoolteacher. His interest in the state poured into years-long research of the ancient Greek and Latin text, where he collected the mentions of India. For this research, he collected materials from the works by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodoros, Plutarch, and Justin. The book follows Alexander's invasion in India, with all the great leader's campaigns on his way, including his invasion in Afghanistan, the Panjâb, S...

The rewriting of prose texts in iambics is perhaps primarily a way of reading them with deliberation; the texts here - favourites of course - have much in common. Those from Lampedusa posit the possibility of extraordinary events. Similarly, 'Sylvie' depends on extremities of tenderness exemplified by the scene in the Othys section when the narrator and Sylvie, descending the stairs, stage a re-enactment. And in the scene from Dali's novel Hidden Faces there is something in common...

In "War Stories for my Grandchildren," John Watson Foster crafts a compelling narrative that intertwines personal anecdotes with broader historical events, reflecting on the complexities of war through a deeply personal lens. The book employs a reflective and conversational style, inviting readers into intimate moments while providing a poignant exploration of the ramifications of conflict. Foster's vivid storytelling is rooted in the American literary tradition of recounting familial tale...

When Harry Marsland was caught in a sudden down pour he sought shelter at Cliff Farm. Met at the door by a young woman clearly expecting someone else he is only too glad to get inside to wait out the storm. When they hear a noise upstairs in the deserted house they investigate only to discover the body of the farm's owner, Frank Lumsden, dead of a gunshot wound. Who then, killed Lumsden, and why? Who was the woman expecting and did she have any roll in the murder? These are the questions t...

High Court Justice Sir Horace Fewbanks found shot dead in his Hampstead home, a butler with a criminal past, a scorned lover and a hint of scandal. These are the elements of the Hampstead Mystery that Detective Inspector Chippenfield of Scotland Yard must unravel with the assistance of the ambitious Detective Rolfe. But will he be able to sort out the tangled threads of this case and arrest the culprit before he is upstaged by the celebrated gentleman detective Crewe. Follow the details of...

This early work on Ross and Cromarty is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains a wealth of information on the history of the area and the meanings of the place names in it. This is a fascinating work and is thoroughly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of Scotland. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, mo...

When Harry Marsland was caught in a sudden down pour he sought shelter at Cliff Farm. Met at the door by a young woman clearly expecting someone else he is only too glad to get inside to wait out the storm. When they hear a noise upstairs in the deserted house they investigate only to discover the body of the farm's owner, Frank Lumsden, dead of a gunshot wound. Who then, killed Lumsden, and why? Who was the woman expecting and did she have any roll in the murder? These are the questions t...

"The Annals of a Quiet Valley" is an 1894 novel by John Watson. Set primarily in a single valley in the Lake District, England, it offers an authentic insight into more and manners of traditional English country life, beautifully narrated by a master of the language. Fantastically-illustrated and highly-readable, this wonderful novel will appeal to all lovers of the English language, and deserves a place on all bookshelves. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce a...