(Somewhere I have a Gemstar eBook reader, but it has to be the single least appreciated piece of technology I've ever been gifted with. The previous version of the eBook was capable of reading public domain texts, but the newer models, which I had was only capable of buying them, and from a very limited choice. And I never really managed to finish a book on it, either, although I tried very hard.)
Anyway, there are Dunsany stories there, and Cabell, and Chesterton, and Saki and Arthur Machen, and all sorts of goodies there.
And, because some of you may fancy a trip back in time for a week or so, there's also http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/MayLond.html
which is the online text of the first volume of Henry Mayhew's wonderful "London Labour and the London Poor".
And, talking about Henry Mayhew, he gets quoted, or at least, I get quoted quoting him, in an article written for the Worldwide Friends of Punch and Judy, by Professor Freshwater. who put on the wonderful Punch and Judy show at last year's World Fantasy Convention. She talks about how she was found through this here blog at the beginning...
I asked if she minded me linking to the article (it's a PDF file) and she replied...
I'm glad you enjoyed the article. It would be lovely if you'd link to
it on your blog. Usually only members of The Worldwide Friends of Punch
and Judy get to read Around the World With Mr. Punch, but we'll
consider this a free sample. If your readers find that this article
sparks their interest in Punch and Judy, they can check out the
organization
(www.punchandjudyworld.org) and perhaps join for an
ongoing subscription to the journal (also free.)
So here's the link to her article: http://www.punchandjudyworld.org/WWFPJ/gig.html
and Diane adds...
Speaking of blogs, the other day I was perusing yours with our new
puppy, Koira (aka Toby) on my lap. Koira said to me -- (knowing, as you
do, that my world is populated by vocal inanimate objects, you won't be
surprised to learn that my dogs talk) -- "Mama, if I'm to be a star of
the Puppet Stage, I ought to have a blog!" It seemed like a valid
point. So now she does:
http://freshwaterpearlspuppetry.com/koira/tobyblog.html
Neil, I'm sure as an author you expect to motivate literary endeavors
by your readers, but I'll bet you never expected to inspire a dog blog!
You know, I really didn't.