( london is a city of noise and stench β the unceasing sounds of wheels and hooves clacking over pavement strewn with garbage, the roaming masses of mingled odours, and the cries of the street peddlers selling their wares of dolls, matches, books, knives, eels, and china. it is worst at night when the streetlights are illuminated in a way that can be described as festive by only the hare-brained. it is little wonder, then, that when atticus is compelled to visit, it is for a very brief period. but this time, it could not be avoided. his publisher is based in london, as does his book agent, and so too is atticus for at least a fortnight while revisions and contracts are processed. it is all a tedious affair. one that did not apply to his previous book submissions, but as this is fated to be his last book for now (perhaps forever), they are preparing for a calamity. atticus knows little of how life in america will fare and if he will find time to deliver his musings to a postal office or even write.
if this is to be his last book then he has planned to depart from the british literary world as provocatively as he can. unlike his previous works, which were presentations and observations about foreign countries, this book is exclusively about the british countryside and the sights and sensations one must experience. it is much longer than his previous books as well; another reason why he must remain in london for this long. it takes time for a manuscript to be read, edited, returned to the author, and then resubmitted, and, in all this, atticus must remain in london. it is little wonder that his book is a call to city dwellers to leave the cities and know air without pollution and hear nought but the singing of birds and the wind in the trees. if only briefly. to inspire just one person to leave their city and return to nature would be immensely gratifying. atticus wishes he could do so, but he is restricted to london for another six days.
he stays mostly indoors at his book agent's home on drury lane, partly out of concern that he may encounter someone from his past life, but mostly because he does not like crowds and the noise and smell they carry. like it was when he permanently lived and worked in london, atticus does not attend balls, parties, or gatherings. he does not leave his room to see plays or concerts. london is at once both a caress and a strangulation. to even suggest interest in one of its baubles is to be ensnared in drudgery and inane propriety, never to glimpse the stars again.
but, as adept as he is in his excuses to stay in, it is unavoidable when one's host is so adamant and so atticus finds himself amidst a moving crowd at the theatre royal for a performance of coelina; ou, l'enfant du mystΓ¨re, although it was more widely known in great britain as a tale of mystery after its translation into the vernacular. it would not have been atticus's first or last choice to see β the play being a melodrama β but as only a couple of theatres within london were allowed to operate during the winter, one could not be particular in their choice of entertainment.
as many do, they arrive quite early to the theatre to socialise in the lobby before the play begins. well, it's mr. frahm, his book agent, who does this while atticus waits near a dim corner for their box to open. he does not wish to be noticed and, while the thought occurs to him that he could slip away and escape, he also does not wish to inflict distress on mr. frahm when the gentleman has only been attentive and gracious since the beginning of their association. generally, it is foolish to ruin a business deal over some silliness like seeing a play.
but, despite mr. frahm's attentive and gracious overtures to his friends and associates in the middle of the theatre's lobby, atticus is content to remain apart and behind in the back of the theatre's lobby. )
no subject
if this is to be his last book then he has planned to depart from the british literary world as provocatively as he can. unlike his previous works, which were presentations and observations about foreign countries, this book is exclusively about the british countryside and the sights and sensations one must experience. it is much longer than his previous books as well; another reason why he must remain in london for this long. it takes time for a manuscript to be read, edited, returned to the author, and then resubmitted, and, in all this, atticus must remain in london. it is little wonder that his book is a call to city dwellers to leave the cities and know air without pollution and hear nought but the singing of birds and the wind in the trees. if only briefly. to inspire just one person to leave their city and return to nature would be immensely gratifying. atticus wishes he could do so, but he is restricted to london for another six days.
he stays mostly indoors at his book agent's home on drury lane, partly out of concern that he may encounter someone from his past life, but mostly because he does not like crowds and the noise and smell they carry. like it was when he permanently lived and worked in london, atticus does not attend balls, parties, or gatherings. he does not leave his room to see plays or concerts. london is at once both a caress and a strangulation. to even suggest interest in one of its baubles is to be ensnared in drudgery and inane propriety, never to glimpse the stars again.
but, as adept as he is in his excuses to stay in, it is unavoidable when one's host is so adamant and so atticus finds himself amidst a moving crowd at the theatre royal for a performance of coelina; ou, l'enfant du mystΓ¨re, although it was more widely known in great britain as a tale of mystery after its translation into the vernacular. it would not have been atticus's first or last choice to see β the play being a melodrama β but as only a couple of theatres within london were allowed to operate during the winter, one could not be particular in their choice of entertainment.
as many do, they arrive quite early to the theatre to socialise in the lobby before the play begins. well, it's mr. frahm, his book agent, who does this while atticus waits near a dim corner for their box to open. he does not wish to be noticed and, while the thought occurs to him that he could slip away and escape, he also does not wish to inflict distress on mr. frahm when the gentleman has only been attentive and gracious since the beginning of their association. generally, it is foolish to ruin a business deal over some silliness like seeing a play.
but, despite mr. frahm's attentive and gracious overtures to his friends and associates in the middle of the theatre's lobby, atticus is content to remain apart and behind in the back of the theatre's lobby. )