"Out of the Earth" by Arthur Machen

Bear in mind this story was set during WW1.Show more

Mr. Begbie: I'm guessing this is Harold Begbie, a journalist and author born 1871, died 1929, so exactly in the right time frame to be a critic of Machen. Indeed, it appears he wanted to believe the "Angels of Mons" stories were actually true, and didn't much appreciate Machen disclaiming their veracity.

This myth of the Russians has been referenced by Machen in a number of his WW1 stories, but as an American over a century later, I have to say I am completely unfamiliar with it. So I finally went and looked it up: In the opening months of the First World War, a rumour spread across the United Kingdom that Russian soldiers [cossacks?] - identified by the "snow on their boots" - had landed in Scotland en route to the Western Front.

Now it appears there were some Russians in Britain in 1916, I believe for some sort of artillery trials, but this rumor supposedly dates back to 1914. I see one claim of some troops being asked where they were from and one said "Ross shire", in northern Scotland, which could have been misheard as Russia. Whatever the case may be, it's an odd rumor.

Eddis: A rather curious surname I've never heard before. (Recall at the time this story was written, it was normal to refer to men by their surname instead of given name.) Apparently it is an actual English name meaning "son of Edward".

Manavon: there is a place in Wales spelled Manafon, which I take to be the same place. It is towards the west of Wales, in Montgomeryshire, in the county of Powys, but not quite on the coast. The 1901 census was only 501 people, today down to more around 300, so a very small place.

Tremaen: Apparently more commonly spelled today as Tremain, another real place!

continuation school: a type of high school for students at risk of not graduating at the normal pace. It has the same graduation requirements as a conventional high school, but with a more relaxed and flexible pace of learning.

"The Camp": We heard this locale referred to at least once before in another Machen story, and here it is again. Still can't find any specific reference to it in reality, but unlike most of Machen's stories, in this story the locations seem to be real, so I'm guessing there is such a place that at least a hundred years ago was known by this name. No idea if it still is known by this name today, but maybe once upon a time at least.

Doctor Duthoit is a bit of a recurring character in Machen's work. I seem to recall hearing the name before, but can't recall now which story. But there is an entire story by Machen that I haven't yet done entitled "Dr Duthoit's Vision".

The picture used is an old postcard of Mwnt Church (Eglwys y Grog (Holy Cross Church)) & beach. It reminds me of "the Camp", but apparently at the time was known instead as "the Mount". Ah well, it'll have to do.

To follow along: https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700381h.html