Ferdinand Magellan was the famous explorer best known for having planned and led the Spanish expedition which achieved the first circumnavigation of Earth in history. "Magellan is one of those who, as Robert Browning says, are "named and known by that moment's feat," and though that feat took three years in the doing, he is still a man of one achievement. Unlike some great general who has half a dozen victorious campaigns to justify his title to immortality, unlike some great painter who has a score of deathless canvases to his credit, unlike Newton who accomplished years of epoch-making work before he made his great discovery, unlike (in his own line) the English admiral, Francis Drake, who not only circumnavigated the world, but defeated the Spanish Armada, and carried through a dozen amazing adventures to the sore undoing of Spain, Magellan's claim to immortality is based on one feat alone, but that was of a unique splendour, and carried out in the face of stupendous difficulties."

This fabulous comedy of manners is about the residents of Durham Square, which is a respectable if not totally fashionable London address. We see their snobberies, their quarrels and reconciliations, and we discover that one of the residents of the square has been writing hugely popular romantic trash under the name of Rudolph da Vinci. There's a memorable cast of strong-willed women, an eccentric Vicar, an admirable butler, and some Pekinese dogs. This novel is laugh-out-loud funny! - Susannah Fullerton, The International Heyer Society

Occult and Supernatural fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that exploits or is centered on supernatural themes, often contradicting naturalist assumptions of the real world. In its broadest definition, supernatural fiction overlaps with examples of weird fiction, horror fiction, vampire literature, ghost story, and fantasy. Elements of supernatural fiction can be found in writing from the genre of science fiction. Amongst academics, readers and collectors, however, supernatural fiction is often classed as a discrete genre defined by the elimination of "horror", "fantasy", and elements important to other genres.The one genre supernatural fiction appears to embrace in its entirety is the traditional ghost story. Contents: E. F. Benson CATERPILLARS THE SANCTUARY THE THING IN THE HALL THE TERROR BY NIGHT Ambrose Bierce AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE THE MIDDLE TOE OF THE RIGHT FOOT Algernon Blackwood THE WILLOWS Ulric Daubeny THE SUMACH Charles Dickens THE SIGNAL-MAN Arthur Conan Doyle THE CASE OF LADY SANNOX Lord Dunsany DISTRESSING TALE OF THANGOBRIND THE JEWELLER William Fryer Harvey ACROSS THE MOORS Nathaniel Hawthorne THE AMBITIOUS GUEST W.W. Jacobs THE MONKEY'S PAW Henry James THE TURN OF THE SCREW Franz Kafka IN THE PENAL COLONY David H. Keller THE THING IN THE CELLAR Henry Kuttner THE GRAVEYARD RATS Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu CARMILLA H.P. Lovecraft AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS THE CALL OF CTHULHU POLARIS THE QUEST OF IRANON THE RATS IN THE WALLS A REMINISCENCE OF DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON THE SECRET CAVE OR JOHN LEES ADVENTURE THE SHADOW OUT OF TIME THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH THE SHUNNED HOUSE THE SILVER KEY THE STATEMENT OF RANDOLPH CARTER THE STRANGE HIGH HOUSE IN THE MIST THE STREET THE TEMPLE THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN THE TOMB THE TRANSITION OF JUAN ROMERO THE TREE UNDER THE PYRAMIDS THE VERY OLD FOLK WHAT THE MOON BRINGS Arthur Machen THE GREAT GOD PAN M. R. James THE MEZZOTINT THE STALLS OF BARCHESTER CATHEDRAL THE ASH-TREE NUMBER 13 COUNT MAGNUS A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS Vincent O'Sullivan WHEN I WAS DEAD Edgar Allan Poe THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM THE TELL-TALE HEART Margaret Ronan FINGER! FINGER! Saki GABRIEL-ERNEST THE OPEN WINDOW

First published in 1930. A charming memoir of the high Victorian-into-Edwardian epoch. Benson writes from the perspective of the son of an Archbishop of Canterbury, moving in elite circles since his adolescence, and also his successful career as a novelist. He aims to give a flavour of what the era felt like to him experiencing it. Chapters cover different facets, from aristocratic pursuits, literary life, politics, and art. There are lots of amusing personal anecdotes and gossip.

The story is set around a small boarding house in Bolton Spa and its owners and lodgers. It focuses on the eccentric collection of summer residents, mostly there to try and recover their health, overseen by the domineering former Indian Army Colonel Chase. According to critics, "The coming together of character and situation in 'Paying Guests' creates a comic masterpiece, worthy to stand alongside the Mapp and Lucia books." A delightful book for anybody familiar with Benson's work, full of all the usual light, wit and satirical caricatures that Benson does so well.

In the quaint English village of Tilling, a peculiar discovery sends shockwaves through the community. The long-extinct dodo bird has seemingly returned, its egg found in the garden of the eccentric Miss Mapp. As the villagers speculate and gossip, a young woman named Dodo emerges, claiming to be the bird's daughter. With her enigmatic past and uncanny connection to the dodo, Dodo becomes the center of a whirlwind of intrigue and suspicion. As the truth unravels, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, leaving the villagers questioning their own sanity and the very nature of existence.

In the opulent drawing rooms and shadowy corners of Victorian London, E. F. Benson's "The Countess of Lowndes Square, and Other Stories" unveils a world of secrets, desires, and the supernatural. From the enigmatic Countess, whose past haunts her present, to the young woman who encounters a ghostly presence in her own home, these tales explore the hidden depths of human nature and the eerie realms that lie just beyond our perception. Prepare to be captivated by Benson's masterful storytelling and the haunting atmosphere that permeates every page.

'Dodo Wonders' is the third and final installment in the 'Dodo' series by E. F. Benson. The series was rumoured to be based on Lady Asquith, though she herself claimed that she had little in common with the character of Dodo - except the splendour of her drawing-room, perhaps. The glitzy life of Lady Dodo Chesterford is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of World War I. Along with her husband and their friends, Lady Dodo is faced with the challenge of rapidly adapting to an unfamiliar and dangerous new environment. 'Dodo Wonders' delicately reveals the history of the First World War in Britain while also unfolding an intricate love story. Dodo is a charming, vivid heroine with whom it becomes almost a pleasure to move through wartime. Recommended for fans of Sam Mendes' 2019 war movie '1917', which follows the gripping tale of two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a message in enemy territory - starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden and Colin Firth. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel 'Dodo' in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist and wrote a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas. He has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist and wrote an acclaimed biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, based on the circles he moved in as well as the characters in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at the age of 72.

'Dodo Wonders' is the third and final installment in the 'Dodo' series by E. F. Benson. The series was rumoured to be based on Lady Asquith, though she herself claimed that she had little in common with the character of Dodo - except the splendour of her drawing-room, perhaps. The glitzy life of Lady Dodo Chesterford is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of World War I. Along with her husband and their friends, Lady Dodo is faced with the challenge of rapidly adapting to an unfamiliar and dangerous new environment. 'Dodo Wonders' delicately reveals the history of the First World War in Britain while also unfolding an intricate love story. Dodo is a charming, vivid heroine with whom it becomes almost a pleasure to move through wartime. Recommended for fans of Sam Mendes' 2019 war movie '1917', which follows the gripping tale of two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a message in enemy territory - starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden and Colin Firth. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel 'Dodo' in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist and wrote a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas. He has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist and wrote an acclaimed biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, based on the circles he moved in as well as the characters in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at the age of 72.

The narrative follows the stylishly controversial Dodo, a young woman from the British upper-middle-class. She is very confident she is about to make a most advantageous match which should position her perfectly for the social status and money she so deeply craves. This makes for a work replete with sardonic and romantic and paranormal melodrama. In an atmosphere so full of extreme snobbery that it is a riot of hilarity. Brought to you by one of the most distinguished practitioners of the supernatural short story, this is a must read for fans of the American horror drama series 'Lovecraft Country'. Starring Jurnee Smollet, Jonathan Majors, Michael. K. Williams and Wunmi Mosaku. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel 'Dodo' in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist and wrote a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas. He has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist and wrote an acclaimed biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, based on the circles he moved in as well as the characters in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at the age of 72.

The narrative follows the stylishly controversial Dodo, a young woman from the British upper-middle-class. She is very confident she is about to make a most advantageous match which should position her perfectly for the social status and money she so deeply craves. This makes for a work replete with sardonic and romantic and paranormal melodrama. In an atmosphere so full of extreme snobbery that it is a riot of hilarity. Brought to you by one of the most distinguished practitioners of the supernatural short story, this is a must read for fans of the American horror drama series 'Lovecraft Country'. Starring Jurnee Smollet, Jonathan Majors, Michael. K. Williams and Wunmi Mosaku. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel 'Dodo' in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist and wrote a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas. He has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist and wrote an acclaimed biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, based on the circles he moved in as well as the characters in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at the age of 72.

'Miss Mapp' is the second novel from the 'Mapp and Lucia' series, following the life of a progressive woman who spends her days gossiping and scheming. One must tread carefully in society, or at least so Miss Mapp thinks. In a hilarious display of snobbish one-upmanship, Miss Mapp considers her every move and its possible outcome with the deftness and skill of a master chess player. God forbid she lose an ounce of social standing! But the village of Tilling becomes a battleground where romances and rumours have ensnared its inhabitants in a ruthless battle for domination. The idyllic setting, delicate daily routines and witty escapades make 'Miss Mapp' a compelling and intriguing read. It has been adapted into an ongoing TV miniseries called 'Mapp & Lucia' starring Miranda Richardson, Anna Chancellor, Poppy Miller and Felicity Montagu. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author, who wrote under the pen name E. F. Benson. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel 'Dodo' in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist, and wrote in a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas and has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist, and wrote amongst others a biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, of which traces can be found in the circles he kept as well as in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at age 72.

Lucia is the most popular and well read character written by E. F. Benson; there are six books in total, this volume contains the third and fourth instalments of this wonderfully satirical look at the petty squabbling and brinkmanship in the social circles of a small English village.

Lucia's Progress and Trouble for Lucia are the fifth and sixth novels in E. F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia series. They chronicle the ongoing battles of his most famous and irrepressible characters - Mrs. Lucia Lucas and Miss Elizabeth Mapp. Both women have been used to dominating their social circles; the idyllic seaside village of Tilling proves too small for both of them. Lucia is the more deadly of the two, with lofty morals, pretentious tastes, and a lust for power, while Mapp is younger, more forceful, and able to terrify her opponents into submission. While both are hypocritical snobs, Lucia is animated by splendid delusions of grandeur and Mapp by insatiable curiosity and chronic rage; their epic collisions rock their small society and provide the narrative engines for Benson's farcical masterpieces.

The Mapp and Lucia novels feature humorous incidents in the lives of (mainly) upper-middle-class British characters in the 1920s and 1930s, many of whom do not work for a living, who vie for social prestige and one-upmanship in an atmosphere of extreme cultural snobbery. Several of them are set in the small seaside town of Tilling, closely based on Rye, East Sussex, where the author Benson lived for a number of years and (like Lucia) served as mayor.

"Queen Lucia" (1920) is the first volume of E. F. Benson's "Mapp and Lucia" 6-novel series. It is a comedy of manners, set in provincial Riseholme (Lincolnshire). Emmeline Lucas rules local society with the help of her friend Georgie Pillson, a position she fiercely protects from her rival Daisy Quantock. But this very situation is at risk, as a scandal breaks out and a famous Prima Donna arrives in the sleepy old hamlet. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author, who wrote under the pen name E. F. Benson. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel "Dodo" in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist, and wrote in a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas, and has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist, and wrote amongst others a biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, of which traces can be found in the circles he kept as well as in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at age 72.

Dodo, who is well-known from E.F. Benson's bestseller carrying the same name, is now settled down. But Dodo has new problems in her life. Dodo's daughter Nadine is only eighteen years old but despite that she is already a self-confident woman - some would say that she is even quite full of herself! But is smoking cigarettes and chatting with friends enough to be the main content of one's life? `Dodo's daughter' is an intriguing novel about upper-class society youth in the 1910's. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author, who wrote under the pen name E. F. Benson. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel "Dodo" in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist, and wrote in a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas, and has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist, and wrote amongst others a biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, of which traces can be found in the circles he kept as well as in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at age 72.

"E. F. Benson was born at Wellington College in Berkshire, where his father, who later went on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury, was the first Headmaster. He wrote 105 books in all. Queen Lucia (first published in 1920) was the first of Benson's `Mapp and Lucia' novels of which there were six. This first book is a comedy of manners based in the provincial village of Riseholme, where Emmeline Lucas (the Queen Lucia of the title) presides over the social and artistic universe of the gullible residents. Her aide-de-camp in these matters is the somewhat effete Georgie Pillson and the chief competitor for her `crown' is Daisy Quantock. The scandal of the Guru, the psychical goings on with Princess Popoffski and the arrival into the sleepy village of a famous Prima Donna all conspire to threaten her supremacy... (summary by Martin Clifton)"

"Queen Lucia" (1920) is the first volume of E. F. Benson's "Mapp and Lucia" 6-novel series. It is a comedy of manners, set in provincial Riseholme (Lincolnshire). Emmeline Lucas rules local society with the help of her friend Georgie Pillson, a position she fiercely protects from her rival Daisy Quantock. But this very situation is at risk, as a scandal breaks out and a famous Prima Donna arrives in the sleepy old hamlet. Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was a British archeologist and author, who wrote under the pen name E. F. Benson. Originally from Berkshire, he studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel "Dodo" in 1893. It was an instant success. He was a prolific novelist, and wrote in a blend of satire, science-fiction, supernatural and romantic melodramas, and has been admired by later authors such as H. P. Lovecraft. He was also a reputed memoirist, and wrote amongst others a biography of Charlotte Brontë. Benson was a very discreet character but it is widely assumed that he was homosexual, of which traces can be found in the circles he kept as well as in his fiction. He never married and passed away in 1940 at age 72.