Spectrevision Radio

Welcome to Weird Stories, a series of readings for the Weird Studies podcast.

The Mesotent by Montague Rhodes James.

Some time ago, I believe I had the pleasure of telling you the story of an adventure which happened to a friend of mine by the name of Deniston,

during his pursuit of objects of art for the museum at Cambridge.

He did not publish his experiences very widely upon his return to England, but they could not fail to become known to a good many of his friends, and among others to the gentlemen

who at that time presided over an art museum at another university.

It was to be expected that the story should make a considerable impression on the

mind of a man whose vocation lay in lines similar to Deniston's, and that he should be eager

to catch at any explanation of the matter which tended to make it seem improbable that he should

ever be called upon to deal with so agitating an emergency. It was indeed somewhat consoling to him to reflect that he was not expected to acquire ancient

manuscripts for his institution. That was the business of the Shelburnean Library.

The authorities of that institution might, if they pleased, ransack obscure corners of the

continent for such matters.

He was glad to be obliged at the moment to confine his attention to enlarging the already

unsurpassed collection of English topographical drawings and engravings possessed by his museum.

Yet, as it turned out, even a department so homely and familiar as this may have its dark corners,

and to one of these Mr. Williams was unexpectedly introduced.

Those who have taken even the most limited interest in the acquisition of topographical pictures

are aware that there is one London dealer whose aid is indispensable to their researches.

Mr. J. W. Brittnell publishes, at short intervals, very admirable catalogues of a large and constantly changing stock of engravings,

plans, and old sketches of mansions, churches, and towns in England and Wales.

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