One of the consequences of resurrecting the old Granny Annexe (imminent arrival of aged ps), has been the moving of 3500 books back into the main part of the house, and the blessed rediscovery of so many good occult books, old and new. Two of those rediscoveries that formed part of my world view spring to mind tonight as I celebrate the emptying of the flat with a glass of Bordeaux. One is a rather lovely large format copy of Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland (exquisitely illustrated by Gwynedd M Hudson), apparently published by Hodder & Staughton, for Boots the Chemists! The story opened the door to an alternative reality and that door remains open to this day. The second book that has found its way back onto my current read pile is a collection of academic essays published by Cambridge University press in 1912, BYWAYS IN BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY, by Walter Johnson. It sets out early 20th century thought on the supplanting of Pagan sacred sites with church buildings, and examines ancient burial customs, the Cardinal points, churchyard yews, and many other facets of pre-Christian and later development. A fascinating hotch-potch of ideas that somehow manages to provide a cohesive picture of times past, I am fairly sure this book would not be on many shelves these days!
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 21:25:54 +0000
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