Secret Chambers and Hiding Places - The Original Classic Edition

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Reference, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Secret Chambers and Hiding Places - The Original Classic Edition by Fea Allan, Emereo Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Fea Allan ISBN: 9781486414963
Publisher: Emereo Publishing Publication: October 24, 2012
Imprint: Emereo Publishing Language: English
Author: Fea Allan
ISBN: 9781486414963
Publisher: Emereo Publishing
Publication: October 24, 2012
Imprint: Emereo Publishing
Language: English
The secret chamber is unrivalled even by the haunted house for the mystery and romance surrounding it. Volumes have been written about the haunted house, while the secret chamber has found but few exponents. The ancestral ghost has had his day, and to all intents and purposes is dead, notwithstanding the existence of the Psychical Society and the investigations of Mr. Stead and the late Lord Bute. Alas! poor ghost! he is treated with scorn and derision by the multitude in these advanced days of modern enlightenment. The search-light of science has penetrated even into his sacred haunts, until, no longer having a leg to stand upon, he has fallen from the exalted position he occupied for centuries, and fallen moreover into ridicule!

In the secret chamber, however, we have something tangible to deal with-a subject not only keenly interesting from an antiquarian point of view, but one deserving the attention of the general reader; for in exploring the gloomy hiding-holes, concealed apartments, passages, and staircases in our old halls and manor houses we probe, as it were, into the very groundwork of romance. We find actuality to support the weird and mysterious stories of fiction, which those of us who are honest enough to admit a lingering love of the marvellous must now doubly appreciate, from the fact that our school-day impressions of such things are not only revived, but are strengthened with the semblance of truth. Truly Bishop Copleston wrote: If the things we hear told be avowedly fictitious, and yet curious or affecting or entertaining, we may indeed admire the author of the fiction, and may take pleasure in contemplating the exercise of his skill. But this is a pleasure of another kind-a pleasure wholly distinct from that which is derived from discovering what was unknown, or clearing up what was doubtful. And even when the narrative is in its own nature, such as to please us and to engage our attention, how, greatly is the interest increased if we place entire confidence in its truth! Who has not heard from a child when listening to a tale of deep interest-who has not often heard the artless and eager question, Is it true?

From Horace Walpole, Mrs. Radcliffe, Scott, Victor Hugo, Dumas, Lytton, Ainsworth, Le Fanu, and Mrs. Henry Wood, down to the latest up-to-date novelists of to-day, the secret chamber (an ingenious necessity of the good old times) has afforded invaluable property-indeed, in many instances the whole vitality of a plot is, like its ingenious opening, hinged upon the masked wall, behind which lay concealed what hidden mysteries, what undreamed-of revelations! The thread of the story, like Fair Rosamonds silken clue, leads up to and at length reveals the buried secret, and (unlike the above comparison in this instance) all ends happily!

Apart, however, from the importance of the secret chamber in fiction, it is closely associated with many an important historical event. The stories of the Gunpowder Plot, Charles II.s escape from Worcester, the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, and many another stirring episode in the annals of our country, speak of the service it rendered to fugitives in the last extremity of danger. When we inspect the actual walls of these confined spaces that saved the lives of our ancestors, how vividly we can realise the hardships they must have endured; and in wondering at the mingled ingenuity and simplicity of construction, there is also a certain amount of comfort to be derived from drawing a comparison between those troublous and our own more peaceful times.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
The secret chamber is unrivalled even by the haunted house for the mystery and romance surrounding it. Volumes have been written about the haunted house, while the secret chamber has found but few exponents. The ancestral ghost has had his day, and to all intents and purposes is dead, notwithstanding the existence of the Psychical Society and the investigations of Mr. Stead and the late Lord Bute. Alas! poor ghost! he is treated with scorn and derision by the multitude in these advanced days of modern enlightenment. The search-light of science has penetrated even into his sacred haunts, until, no longer having a leg to stand upon, he has fallen from the exalted position he occupied for centuries, and fallen moreover into ridicule!

In the secret chamber, however, we have something tangible to deal with-a subject not only keenly interesting from an antiquarian point of view, but one deserving the attention of the general reader; for in exploring the gloomy hiding-holes, concealed apartments, passages, and staircases in our old halls and manor houses we probe, as it were, into the very groundwork of romance. We find actuality to support the weird and mysterious stories of fiction, which those of us who are honest enough to admit a lingering love of the marvellous must now doubly appreciate, from the fact that our school-day impressions of such things are not only revived, but are strengthened with the semblance of truth. Truly Bishop Copleston wrote: If the things we hear told be avowedly fictitious, and yet curious or affecting or entertaining, we may indeed admire the author of the fiction, and may take pleasure in contemplating the exercise of his skill. But this is a pleasure of another kind-a pleasure wholly distinct from that which is derived from discovering what was unknown, or clearing up what was doubtful. And even when the narrative is in its own nature, such as to please us and to engage our attention, how, greatly is the interest increased if we place entire confidence in its truth! Who has not heard from a child when listening to a tale of deep interest-who has not often heard the artless and eager question, Is it true?

From Horace Walpole, Mrs. Radcliffe, Scott, Victor Hugo, Dumas, Lytton, Ainsworth, Le Fanu, and Mrs. Henry Wood, down to the latest up-to-date novelists of to-day, the secret chamber (an ingenious necessity of the good old times) has afforded invaluable property-indeed, in many instances the whole vitality of a plot is, like its ingenious opening, hinged upon the masked wall, behind which lay concealed what hidden mysteries, what undreamed-of revelations! The thread of the story, like Fair Rosamonds silken clue, leads up to and at length reveals the buried secret, and (unlike the above comparison in this instance) all ends happily!

Apart, however, from the importance of the secret chamber in fiction, it is closely associated with many an important historical event. The stories of the Gunpowder Plot, Charles II.s escape from Worcester, the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, and many another stirring episode in the annals of our country, speak of the service it rendered to fugitives in the last extremity of danger. When we inspect the actual walls of these confined spaces that saved the lives of our ancestors, how vividly we can realise the hardships they must have endured; and in wondering at the mingled ingenuity and simplicity of construction, there is also a certain amount of comfort to be derived from drawing a comparison between those troublous and our own more peaceful times.

More books from Emereo Publishing

Cover of the book How to Land a Top-Paying Machinery assemblers Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions, What to Expect From Recruiters and More by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Alex Pettyfer 65 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Alex Pettyfer by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Gail Russell 67 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Gail Russell by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Advertising 172 Success Secrets - 172 Most Asked Questions On Advertising - What You Need To Know by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Don Knotts 158 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Don Knotts by Fea Allan
Cover of the book The Charles Spurgeon Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Charles Spurgeon by Fea Allan
Cover of the book graphical user interface 30 Success Secrets - 30 Most Asked Questions On graphical user interface - What You Need To Know by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Fritz Lang 147 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Fritz Lang by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Lauren Bacall 190 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Lauren Bacall by Fea Allan
Cover of the book The Alexandra Daddario Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Alexandra Daddario by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Exchange rate 88 Success Secrets - 88 Most Asked Questions On Exchange rate - What You Need To Know by Fea Allan
Cover of the book domain name 49 Success Secrets - 49 Most Asked Questions On domain name - What You Need To Know by Fea Allan
Cover of the book The Hyder Ali Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Hyder Ali by Fea Allan
Cover of the book Sirloin Greats: Delicious Sirloin Recipes, The Top 100 Sirloin Recipes by Fea Allan
Cover of the book The Golden Bough (Third Edition, Vol. 3 of 12) - The Original Classic Edition by Fea Allan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy