"It was a rather indifferent mezzotint, and an indifferent mezzotint is, perhaps, the worst form of engraving known... What in the world Mr. Britnell could mean by affixing the price of £2 2s. to such an object was more than Mr. Williams could imagine." The classic tale of a sinister engraving by the Edwardian master of the ghost story, M. R. James. Story starts at 00:01:28 This is one of a series of the ghost stories of M. R. James I've narrated for this channel; you can hear the others on this playlist: ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZJNKedIOCTyWlvJTmG0ku2o.html Or for a selection of Victorian ghost stories by various authors, including Charles Dickens, Amelia Edwards, Edith Nesbit, H. G. Wells, and many more: ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZISCGdeBUtYxynNFtZCeRrv.html
An excellent reading of M.R. James, naturally. Thank you. One can only envy those who come to these stories for the first time.😊 Absolutely terrifying.
Oh wonderful. Thank you, Simon. I hope the tour is still going well. I forgot the amount of light relief James included in this - the repeated pokes at golfers was probably an in-joke about a vice that many of his protagonists enjoy. [Edit] 30:24 Another Jamesian joke... "The Sadducean professor of Orthology..." The Sadducees were an opposing party to the Pharisees, in the time of Jesus, who didn't believe in an afterlife, angels, etc, and only accepted the Pentateuch as Scripture, and not the history/prophets of the Old Testament. I suspect the use of Orthology is another Jamesian joke - it is both the study of the correct usage of words, and a branch of evolutionary biology that studies the ways that different species have shared ancestors (e.g. features like the pentadactyl limb down to the presence of certain proteins).
I have wondered if the 'Sadducean professor' might have been the same person (although then introduced as a Professor of Ontography) whose Sadducean views were held with less certainty after an encounter with a certain strange whistle.
One of his most effective short stories. It’s a mundane set up on paper. Yet hidden within are details of a much more sinister nature. The implication of what something is or something that could happen is much scarier than some overt case of shock or violence. For the sake of it. James understood this and gave us simply the best collection of tales for all time. The subtle details of things beyond our understanding always gave his tales a most grounded approach. I always laugh at how they scoff at the price. Thankfully these lads aren’t here to see inflation in full force, now that is a horror unto itself!
I love the beard and moustache! It's very George Sanders, a constant favorite of mine. I especially loved his voice. There's the thread of a story about substitution of standard types of public persons by some great casting director in the sky, such that there's always a great voice coupled with a handsome face and an erudite, accomplished, well traveled and suave delivery to soothe and stimulate the unsung masses. I hope you're pleased with the company in which I've placed you. 😊❤
I have just found this and I am SO excited! I can't wait until I can turn all the lights out and listen! A thousand times "Thank you" to my all-time favorite performer and curator!!
Fantastic Simon, thank you. I absolutely love when you read M.R. James. He's one of my favorites. This reminds me of a story in "Night Gallery" called "the Cemetery" with the wonderful Roddy McDowall. It had a changing painting in it as well.
Perfect! You’ve been mentioning this for a bit - and you do give voice to MRJ so well with his troubled well educated antiquarians and all their supporting folk🙏🏽 so many voices! I know you have a long list of future stories to share- but may I request an EF Benson for a possible addition with “The Man Who Went Too Far”? I think you’d do it justice and lend your considerable talent to it quite well!💚
Thanks Stephanie. That story (along with a fair few other Bensons) is already on my "possibles" list, but as you've requested it I'll bump it up on to my shortlist for the coming months. Not sure how soon I'll get around to it, but will do so asap!
This is one of James's best tales, how beautifully he builds up the suspense with the device of the changing picture and the reactions to it - and then that final explanation... Always gives me chills every time I read it - thanks for a great narration!
Thanks very much appreciated .M.R.james classic brought to life Due to Simon introducing me the author,I’ve watched old M,R James ghost stories which are available on UA-cam
Glad to know you enjoyed it. I try to keep a running list of listener requests and this has to be one of the most requested ever, so clearly a popular tale!
You're my favourite narrator of James, your style suits the way he writes. Its the crawling on all fours that really gets me here. Unnatural movements are always unnerving.
Thank you for reading one of my favorites (and the tale that got me interested in ghost stories in the first place). Would you ever consider reading "Miss Cornelius" by W.F. Harvey, another creepy classic?
Brrr! I waited a few days until I could listen to this in daylight, as it's one of the most horrifying of M R James' stories. I had forgotten, until I listened to your reading, Simon, that it is also unexpectedly humorous. Thank you for doing justice to both aspects of the story.
Thank you, I hope so too (I find the recent explosion of AI narration very depressing and find it impossible to listen to, just so flat and unemotional). Do send them my way!
I also hope folks will support this channel in oth€r way$. Patreon, etc. As far as all those complaining about AI, as a professional creative of several decades, I find that everyone says they support human creatives getting paid, as long as they don’t have to do it. 😉 But seriously though, this channel is gold and it’s always wonderful to witness support of any kind. 🙏💜
Wonderful! I generally listen to your audio stories at the start of Fall and listen to them during the dark days of winter when there's nothing to do. I still say it's a crime you're not involved in the Dr. Who franchise in some manner.
How wonderful, & such a coincidence because I came across a televised adaptation of this story only last week. I have to be honest-whoever contrived it absolutely butchered it, a fact that I only realised whilst listening to your narration. I shan't go into fine details of the ruination because there are too many to mention. Suffice to say that it wasn't a spoiler for your reading, hardly resembling it at all. Thank you so much Simon-you've brightened up a very dull day. 😍
Overall a solid adaptation. I will say the ending was a bit..much. I think it would’ve benefited from less is more much like the story. Still the source material is respected still.
Very well narrated and really enjoyed the story. MR James fan, but had never heard this one. Thanks much for taking the time from acting in your play to record. Planning to join your middle membership 3rd of Nov.
M R James wrote some of the most terrifying ghost stories ever. My father had two of his books of short stories and I scared myself rigid reading them as a young teenager!
Thank you so much for this wonderful reading. I remember the first time I heard the story was on the children's bbc series Spine Chillers, when i was about twelve. I loved the whole series, but instantly became an M R James fan. We had a copy of Ghost Stories of an Antiquity at home and I began reading it the same night (maybes just before bed wasn't the best idea). Could I possibly suggest that you might have a look at To Let by B M Croker ? Its another one of my favourites.
Thanks Pippa, I'm still around, but as Northern Lights says I'm currently touring with a play (you may not have seen my posts about it on the community page). I'm still recording for the channel, though, albeit my output has slowed recently while the show was in rehearsal, but I'm hoping to get back to more regular recording soon
"It was a rather indifferent mezzotint, and an indifferent mezzotint is, perhaps, the worst form of engraving known... What in the world Mr. Britnell could mean by affixing the price of £2 2s. to such an object was more than Mr. Williams could imagine." The classic tale of a sinister engraving by the Edwardian master of the ghost story, M. R. James. Story starts at 00:01:28
This is one of a series of the ghost stories of M. R. James I've narrated for this channel; you can hear the others on this playlist: ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZJNKedIOCTyWlvJTmG0ku2o.html
Or for a selection of Victorian ghost stories by various authors, including Charles Dickens, Amelia Edwards, Edith Nesbit, H. G. Wells, and many more: ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZISCGdeBUtYxynNFtZCeRrv.html
I love James’ dry humour. This is one of my favorites by him. There’s something extra creepy about it.
I have always found this one of M R James' most haunting stories. He is in a class of his own.
Ohhhhhhhhh FINALLY!!!!! Hooray for Mr Simon !!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!
An excellent reading of M.R. James, naturally. Thank you. One can only envy those who come to these stories for the first time.😊 Absolutely terrifying.
Oh wonderful. Thank you, Simon. I hope the tour is still going well. I forgot the amount of light relief James included in this - the repeated pokes at golfers was probably an in-joke about a vice that many of his protagonists enjoy.
[Edit] 30:24 Another Jamesian joke... "The Sadducean professor of Orthology..." The Sadducees were an opposing party to the Pharisees, in the time of Jesus, who didn't believe in an afterlife, angels, etc, and only accepted the Pentateuch as Scripture, and not the history/prophets of the Old Testament. I suspect the use of Orthology is another Jamesian joke - it is both the study of the correct usage of words, and a branch of evolutionary biology that studies the ways that different species have shared ancestors (e.g. features like the pentadactyl limb down to the presence of certain proteins).
I have wondered if the 'Sadducean professor' might have been the same person (although then introduced as a Professor of Ontography) whose Sadducean views were held with less certainty after an encounter with a certain strange whistle.
One of his most effective short stories.
It’s a mundane set up on paper. Yet hidden within are details of a much more sinister nature. The implication of what something is or something that could happen is much scarier than some overt case of shock or violence. For the sake of it.
James understood this and gave us simply the best collection of tales for all time. The subtle details of things beyond our understanding always gave his tales a most grounded approach.
I always laugh at how they scoff at the price. Thankfully these lads aren’t here to see inflation in full force, now that is a horror unto itself!
I read Mr. James' stories fifty years ago and they are great.🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂
M. R. James stories are excellent, and your voice is perfect for them. Thank you!
The ghost stories are my favorite. Thank you for your efforts.
I love the beard and moustache!
It's very George Sanders, a constant favorite of mine. I especially loved his voice.
There's the thread of a story about substitution of standard types of public persons by some great casting director in the sky, such that there's always a great voice coupled with a handsome face and an erudite, accomplished, well traveled and suave delivery to soothe and stimulate the unsung masses.
I hope you're pleased with the company in which I've placed you. 😊❤
A very kind compliment, thank you!
My favorite of all Montague stories… its SOOOOO good !
One of my favorite M.R. James stories. Thanks Simon.
That window opening and closing was a nice touch😮
Thank you; I wondered if anyone would spot it!
I have just found this and I am SO excited! I can't wait until I can turn all the lights out and listen! A thousand times "Thank you" to my all-time favorite performer and curator!!
Fantastic Simon, thank you. I absolutely love when you read M.R. James. He's one of my favorites. This reminds me of a story in "Night Gallery" called "the Cemetery" with the wonderful Roddy McDowall. It had a changing painting in it as well.
Perfect! You’ve been mentioning this for a bit - and you do give voice to MRJ so well with his troubled well educated antiquarians and all their supporting folk🙏🏽 so many voices!
I know you have a long list of future stories to share- but may I request an EF Benson for a possible addition with “The Man Who Went Too Far”? I think you’d do it justice and lend your considerable talent to it quite well!💚
Thanks Stephanie. That story (along with a fair few other Bensons) is already on my "possibles" list, but as you've requested it I'll bump it up on to my shortlist for the coming months. Not sure how soon I'll get around to it, but will do so asap!
Thank you so much Simon! 💚
This is one of James's best tales, how beautifully he builds up the suspense with the device of the changing picture and the reactions to it - and then that final explanation... Always gives me chills every time I read it - thanks for a great narration!
Thanks very much appreciated .M.R.james classic brought to life
Due to Simon introducing me the author,I’ve watched old M,R James ghost stories which are available on UA-cam
This channel is a gem that deserves far more, dozens fold more followers
The Mezzotint! Good one Simon...never fails to give me shivers. I've heard/read it a number of times, and keep coming back to it.
Glad to know you enjoyed it. I try to keep a running list of listener requests and this has to be one of the most requested ever, so clearly a popular tale!
Thanks Simon. What a creepy story. MR James at his finest. Thanks for your wonderful narration. 😊
You're my favourite narrator of James, your style suits the way he writes. Its the crawling on all fours that really gets me here. Unnatural movements are always unnerving.
Excellent. Just the thing for this chilly foggy day. Thank you 😊
Thank you for reading one of my favorites (and the tale that got me interested in ghost stories in the first place). Would you ever consider reading "Miss Cornelius" by W.F. Harvey, another creepy classic?
That's a great suggestion, thank you. I'll add it to my list!
The definitive version. ❤
Lovely to hear you back! Thanks
Excellent story, beautifully narrated. I always know I'm in for a treat when something from Bitesized Audio comes up on my feed! 😊
Kind of you to say so, thank you!
Brrr! I waited a few days until I could listen to this in daylight, as it's one of the most horrifying of M R James' stories. I had forgotten, until I listened to your reading, Simon, that it is also unexpectedly humorous. Thank you for doing justice to both aspects of the story.
Excellent narration. I hope all the folks constantly complaining about a i. narration across UA-cam will find your channel.
Thank you, I hope so too (I find the recent explosion of AI narration very depressing and find it impossible to listen to, just so flat and unemotional). Do send them my way!
Hope? I outright refer people here. Told my oldest sister about it a while ago, and all the people in my writing group.
I also hope folks will support this channel in oth€r way$. Patreon, etc. As far as all those complaining about AI, as a professional creative of several decades, I find that everyone says they support human creatives getting paid, as long as they don’t have to do it. 😉 But seriously though, this channel is gold and it’s always wonderful to witness support of any kind. 🙏💜
Fantastic narration. My first and gold standard James' narrator has always been Michael Hordern and this has that classic vibe.
Wonderful! This is an especially creepy tale.
Wonderful! I generally listen to your audio stories at the start of Fall and listen to them during the dark days of winter when there's nothing to do. I still say it's a crime you're not involved in the Dr. Who franchise in some manner.
Most enjoyable. Looking forward to "The Ash-Tree".
I like the beard! Thank you for this excellent James story. You're perfect to deliver the dry wit
I just watched the BBC Christmas special of this. It was a bit meh, but your own imagination is what makes James' work so good.
Excellent! One of my favourites! 😁👍
Perfect Simon, thank you.
Thank you Simon ❤ A lovely read.
Now that's what I call painting a word picture! W.S. James
How wonderful, & such a coincidence because I came across a televised adaptation of this story only last week.
I have to be honest-whoever contrived it absolutely butchered it, a fact that I only realised whilst listening to your narration.
I shan't go into fine details of the ruination because there are too many to mention.
Suffice to say that it wasn't a spoiler for your reading, hardly resembling it at all.
Thank you so much Simon-you've brightened up a very dull day. 😍
Glad to help, thanks Nicky
I actually watched a 2021 BBC film adaptation of this story today. How wonderful!
I would like to see that
Overall a solid adaptation.
I will say the ending was a bit..much. I think it would’ve benefited from less is more much like the story. Still the source material is respected still.
Thank you for reading this so beautifully. I have always found M. R. James' stories absolutely terrifying.
Another M R James - delightful - my favourite ghost author read by favourite reader - love the beard
YAY!!! I love this particular story. Thank you so much Simon ❤
Very well narrated and really enjoyed the story. MR James fan, but had never heard this one. Thanks much for taking the time from acting in your play to record. Planning to join your middle membership 3rd of Nov.
Thank you, so glad to know you enjoyed it
Excellent! Thank you.
Thoroughly gripping!
You reading it made the experience all the more so ❤
Simon has a beard. I have been just turning this on without looking... Just realized this. Thanks for another great story.
This is one of my favorite M R James stories, even if he does throw shade on my alma mater.
What an unusual story!
Excellent narration, as always 🙂
Thank you, I love this story!❤❤😊😊
Thanks, Simon. I'm very late for the party on this one. Listening now!
Break a leg and maybe, please, share some photos?
M R James wrote some of the most terrifying ghost stories ever. My father had two of his books of short stories and I scared myself rigid reading them as a young teenager!
Thank you so much for this wonderful reading. I remember the first time I heard the story was on the children's bbc series Spine Chillers, when i was about twelve. I loved the whole series, but instantly became an M R James fan. We had a copy of Ghost Stories of an Antiquity at home and I began reading it the same night (maybes just before bed wasn't the best idea).
Could I possibly suggest that you might have a look at To Let by B M Croker ? Its another one of my favourites.
Very strange one this and in some ways his other one "The Haunted Dolls House" is in a simular style too this one.
I really like this one; very creepy.
I have missed you lately. Where have you been, you rascal? 😅
Simon has been touring the UK with a new production of ‘War Horse’.
Thanks Pippa, I'm still around, but as Northern Lights says I'm currently touring with a play (you may not have seen my posts about it on the community page). I'm still recording for the channel, though, albeit my output has slowed recently while the show was in rehearsal, but I'm hoping to get back to more regular recording soon
I've been trying to see the head but I can't thank you for the great story Simon
I like the open window by the way thank you
❤❤❤
I love your beard😊
Your mustache and beard are quite striking.
Simon so good to hear you how was the play I wish I could have been there. TPB
Thanks PB... it's still going, a few months left to run yet! But all going well. Hope all is good with you too
@@BitesizedAudio please up load a video or is there a way to see this play on line
🙂
Victorian women waa the best ghost story writers
Amelia B. Edwards, Charlotte Riddell, Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Edith Nesbit are amongst the finest of that era, I agree
Wonderful.Thank you.