A Summary
Prologue: The Œneiric Engine
– or –
‘Westward to the Orient’
March – July 1765
At the Sign of the Cat & Fiddle by Frying Pan Stairs — Mr. Henry Vickers — the Brig Westward — chosen Men — Mr. ‘Ned Keen’ (and his dog, Jacob) — Mr. Michael Wright – Sri Nripendra Rao — Mr. William Ashton — Mr. Jedediah Blunt — Mr. Paul Riverman — Mr. Simon Wightman — Mr. Raze Maxwell — Captain Joseph Linn — sail at dawn — Sir Percy Mainborough breaks his Fast — Mediterranean Sea — Malta — Lebanon coast — Aarida port — river Nahr El Kabir — the escort and the boats — Bashir Faroush Al Faouf — up river — Abboudiye — to mule — local taxes — barrels — hill banditry — the River Orontes — Kadesh — the Œneiric Engine — the Plan: the Engine, the Dreamlands, & the Garden of Eden — Sri Rao’s handy assembling — Whitworth & Boulton Engines — Mr Wright’s dissention: a Barrel of Powder — the Stoke of Midnight — the Gate — Campfires in the Dark — a Land of Milk and Honey? — the Lady Guardian — Mr Ashton’s forwardness — a Spark — the antient marching Dead — return to Kadesh — Janissaries — Sir Percy shoulders the Blame — Mr. Raze Maxwell’s Loyalty (and Wright’s Ropes) — the Bashir looks the other Way — a night Ride — return to the Westward — diplomatic Contacts — Home again (eventually).
Chapter I: The House of Jewels
May 1767
Madame Zelide — The House of Jewels — at Cards in the Library — Col. Edward Wolfe — conviviality in the Parlour — the Honour, Excitement of the Dragoon Life — Col. Edward Mustard — an Observer of the London Scene — Mistress Sabina Headingham — private Rooms upstairs — downstairs the Bagnio — the Misfortune of Miss Opal with a mislaid Pocketbook — Mr. Jedediah Blunt — Fine Art Studies interrupted — the sharing Plague — green-eyed Jealousy — the annexation of the Library — the Battle of the Parlour — military Initiative — Victory — Mr. Jeremiah Elmhall — the confidential Removals Service — the sandy Silence — the dying of Birds — the swirling Doom — a Bucket of Water — the Dog-headed men of Ægypt — a brisk Engagement — acceptable Casualties — the mysteriously moving Pocketbook of Mr. Tobias Tasker — the Spoils of War (and nearly a War of Spoils).
From The Publick Informer:
Four dead in fire at Madam Zelide’s famous House of Jewels at Rupert Street. Casualties included a number of Visitors injured in a Panic consequent upon the Outbreak; one FATALITY, and two Servants succumbed to the Flames. Damage to Property restricted to one Floor of the House due to the prompt Actions of Staff, Neighbours and the prompt attendance of the Men and Engine of the Guardian Bull Fire Insurance Company.
Chapter II: Headingham Hall, the First Part
June 1767
Mr Jedediah Blunt — a Voice from the Past — Mrs Jemma Sandiman — Headingham House — Mr. “Features” Fortescue, renown’d landscaper — Servants, the retention of — by Boat to Bray — a double Booking — Mr. Bartholomew Sandiman — the Honourable East India Company — walking the Dogs — the Lodge House — Miss Anna Sandiman, the Daughter — Pond-weed Polly at the Bridge — surveying the Lodge — portering duties — the black Ghost — the unnoticable Lantern — the Bulls on the Walls — through the Roof — the Great and the Good — Inanna’s fever dreams — Grandfather — the learned paediatrician Doctor the Maharishi Rao — a peaceful Sleep — ancestral Research — the Report — poor philosophical Hygiene — Mrs Sandiman conflicted — a Fee refus’d — retreat to Bray — the Waterside Inn — a golden Bull — the Vicar of Bray — the Weathercock’s Warning.
Session III: Headingham Hall, the Second Part
June 1767, directly following
Mistress Sabina Headingham, Circus Artiste, arrives — a Cargo grounded — Monkey Island — the rescue Party — old Jemmy Green — the feeling in his Water — awaiting a Surge — the Temple at Monkey Island — Cargo for Headingham House — Col. Edward Wolfe arrives — the convenient Wagoneers, feat. Mr. Jeremiah Elmhall — Crates of familiar Style — Memories of a Journey to Kadesh — St. George’s Headingham Parish Church — in search of Headingham Family Connexions — a side Track investigated — the Barn — the Maze under the Hill — Shadows of the Man-Bull — colder Shadows of the antient Dead — three Pillars, in discord — Pistol and Sword under the Hill — Messrs. Whithurst & Bolton — Mr. Simon Banner, Mechanick-Artificer — Mr. Graves of Sandiman’s employ, his pocketbook — Spoils of Battle and Motive Forces — a hasty Departure — the Wisdom of Jemmy Green — Sacrifice at the Temple — return to London — Markets and Values.
Session IV: Tasker’s Pocketbook
September 1767
Mr. Tobias Tasker’s Pocket Book — Col. Edward Mustard — reading the Headlines — Mr. Jedediah Blunt’s mundane Precautions — Sri Nripendra Rao’s Philosophical Precautions — of a Mr. Sandhurst speaking in Tongues — Flytes Quarry — a change in Tone — a BROKEN Page — the Enochian Script — an exploratory Reading — a not unexpected Mishap — pearlescent Gates — a dark Country — Passers-by — an Arrival — the naming of Ned Keen — the return of Mr. Raze Maxwell — the Sultan’s Ifrits — the defence of the Gate — a wild, shrill piping — the Smoke-form’d Bull-Man — the shutdown — stained Floorboards — a horn-ring “Loyal Slave of the Sultan” — Aftermath — Mr. Maxwell absents himself.
Mr. Raze Maxwell’s tale — Istanbul — the Ottomans and the Œneiric Engine — Sir Percy Mainborough coerced — the changed Men — through the Œneiric gate — Sir Percy’s last Words — “Leave me! Run!” — the dark, dry, dusty Land — stepped Hills of Brick — Settlements avoided — the Lights from Outside — the Pursuit — an unattended Light — Mr. Keen? — later and further than he thought.
Session V: Flyte in the Hole
February 1768
The House of Jewels — Mr Jedediah Blunt observes — Bow Street Celebration — Mr. James Harden — Dragoon Tales — Col. Edward Mustard — a former Dragoon, Sir — Madame Zelide — Watchers and Inquiries — the discreet Door — the Garret — across the Rooftops — a Watcher immobilised — Clues in the Log — Mr. Simon Wightman, Surgeon — the Trepanning Engine — Paul Whitefield, soon to be late — seeking Mr. H. Hunter — The sign of the Dog and Fox — Adam the Arranger — a Message passed — the Arrangement closed — Mr Jonathan Budge — a Person of Interest — Mr. Harden combs the Files — all roads lead to Sir John Fielding — a Warrant — the elusiveness of Flyte in the Hole — Flyte in the Hole discover’d — The Quarry Arms — The Quarry — joining the Night Worship — the not-reverend Mr Augustus Sandhurst — a Warrant executed — to Horse and away.
Chapter VI: The Fugitive Preacher
March 1768
Mistresss Sabina Headingham exercises her Engine — the Dog-Headed Man — a nondescript Warehouse in an nondescript Alley — the gallant Colonel Edward Mustard responds — Mr Jedediah Blunt’s constitutional re-routed — a nondescript, but sandy, Alley investigated — the marching Congregation — destination Bow Street — some Dog-Headed Congregants — the public Gallery — Sir Standford Wallace, Magistrate — Mr Augustus Sandhurst, Prisoner in the Dock — a dissenting and seditious Preacher — Jurisdiction unrecognised — “Servants of Mammon” — in the name of the Annunakku — a Disturbance in Court — a Fight in Court — a Riot in Court — Matters forgotten — the vanished Prisoner — Mr Blunt’s Pursuit — my Sword, my Pistol and my Hound — return to the sandy Warehouse — the Altar, the Sacrifice, the Smile and the open’d Way — the dark Lands of Dust — the Lurking Horror in the Sand — the Lady Guardian — the Ban — the Price — across the Sands — the the Hole Hill — the Devil-Dog’s pursuit — the thrice-circled Cottage — the killing Bone — the Fugitive recaptured — the Return — the Lady Guardian extracts her Price — the Face of Horror — King Akkad III — Return to London — the Magistrate — the Inquest — the Verdict of Grub Street.
Chapter VII: Small Fish & Big Graveyard
Late April 1768
Mr. Valerie Tonkin — Mr. Henry “Old Parry” Parr — the Brothers Fish — Colonel Edward Mustard’s connexions — Riding Officer James Harden — a Warrent — the Dogs — the past Pie Shop — Old Parry’s Practice — the three Brothers Fish — Mr. Jedediah Blunt’s blowpipe — the peculiar Venoms of of a mysterious Tribe — the invisible Lurker — One Punch — the magick Spunge — the medicinal Table — since the Old Queen’s Time — the lost Graveyard — the Stillness — lost in the Turns — bigger on the inside — the Tower of Londons — inner Turns — three Ages — three Views: the Pyramid, the White City, the Ashes — the Automata — a bold Step — Church of the Bull — Akkad III — the Rate of Change — Purchase and Retreat — regaining the Ladder — the present Centre — the musing Death — return to London — the singing Flame.
Session VIII: A Few More Turns
Early May 1768
Col. Edward Mustard — revisiting Old Parry — Sri Nripendra Rao — Mr. Simon Wightman, Surgeon — Age of Miracles past — a miraculous recovery — a International Expedition to the Interior — philosophical Investigations — taking a Turn — In the Midst of Death Life — Bringing Life to Death — Living Death — Death Wins Over All: Terminus Est — unwinding the Turn — the Rats Arch — gone to the Dogs — the Purse — the Tower of Londons — the Woods and the White City — Full Circle — London outside — the Tailor — the Wigdresser — at Blackwall — the Oriental Eating House — Lord Wolfenden.
Chapter IX: Indian Proposals — & — Return to Headingham House
Mid June 1768
Mr Henry Hunter — a military Proposition — Col. Edward Mustard — Mr Jedediah Blunt meets Mr Fortescue — Mr Archibald & a botanical Proposition — Sri Nripendra Rao & a family Event — the Colonel’s Grub Street Reputation — Rumours of Wars — Midsummer and Anniversary — Mr. J. Elmhall, conveyances and shipping Agent — Mr. Valerie Tonkin — a river boat to Bray — respects at Monkey Island — Mr Jemmy Green — the Church of St Michael at Bray — the Tarnished Calf — the talkative Weathercock — a chat with Barney — beg to call at Headingham House — gracious Permission — shutters and reduced circumstances — Mrs Jemima Sandiman — Miss Anna Sandiman — Miss Diana Chatterton, a cousin — the Earthquake — the Features ruined — an Inspection — a charming ankle, enchained — the inquisitive Scribbler meets Mr. Tonkin — the Bray Bugle & the Maidenhead Intelligencer — House Guests — a wider inspection — the antient Mine — an antient Shadow — the Bull dis-Membered — lesser Shadows and Bones — the Engine in Stasis — a Lurker on the Threshold — return to the Day — a Figure in Silhouette — at the House — cousin Diana’s heritage — Miss Anna’s Inanna heritage — a resolute proposal — of Wards and Banishment — return to the Underworld — a barrage of practical Philosophy — a parting Shot — Mr Blunt’s parted Wig — homewards — Supper & Medals.
Chapter X: The Eve of St John
Thursday 23rd June 1768, St John’s Eve & Midsummer
Reacquaintances — Presenting Mistress Sabina Headingham, lately returned from a triumphant tour of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Near Orient — Mr Jeremiah Elmhall, transportation specialist — Mr Jedediah Blunt, Gardener of Note — Mr Tonkin, retired Sporting Cove and fearless Dog Walker — Sri Nripendra Rao, Indian Prince and Fireworks Wizard — Briefings — Mistress Headingham on Rumours of Wars — The Tale of the Janissaries — Colonel Edward Mustard, in the Drawing Room, on — The Engine under the Hill — The Mystery of the Summoner — Miss Diana Chatterton, the Cousin — Miss Anna (Inanna) Sandiman, the Daughter, thwarted — Over and under the Hill — a Shadow distressed, diminished — Turned about in the Maze — The empty Engine — A deeper exploration — The Wine Cellar — The River — The Collapse — The Navigators and their Barrels — Mr. Augustus Anderson — Mr. Bartholomew Sandiman’s Spoiler — The Rival Engines — A Mutuality of Interest with whomsoever be the Winner — A Wait in the Dark — A Family Outing — Blood in the Tunnel — One in the Eye for Mr Bartholomew Sandiman — Playing with the Whirring Thing — An inconvenient Corpse — Tomorrow’s Problem — Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care — The Bone-Fires and Midsummer Revel — Summer Lightning.
Chapter XI: In the Land of the Dead, the one-eyed Man is King
Friday 24th June 1768, Midsummer Day, St John the Baptist’s Nativity
Our Characters in chief:
Colonel Edward Mustard —
his close Friend and constant Companion, the hound Jacob —
Mr. Jedediah Blunt —
Sri Nripendra Rao an eastern Philosopher-Prince —
Mr. Jeremiah Elmhall a Persona of little consequence but a Person of many Connexions —
Mr. Valerie Tonkin, a retired Prizefighter and —
Vincent, Mr. Tonkin’s hound —
Miss. Diana Chatterton (of the Surrey Chattertons), an able Exponent of the Rites of the Antaeaus League. —
Mr. Launcelot Smith a Grub Street warrior.
And our Events:
The Morning after —
Upon the disposal of Cadavers —
Walking the Dog —
A Lurker of the Edges —
Beating out the Devil —
A Boat bespoke, and Rumours of London —
The primal Phlogiston —
The calling Tunnels —
Well-met at the Workings —
The Dead of the Walls —
The sucking Wind —
The Breach —
Mr. Bartholomew Sandman, the Ascended —
Kings of the four Quarters, and of the Ice —
The Interloper —
The King under the Hill —
Grandfather —
Upon Decans —
Time running on and a Trap sprung! —
A Passage of Arms (and Hound) —
A tactical withdrawal —
Mr. Blunt secures the Communications —
Once more unto the Breach —
The Hall of the One-Eye’d King —
Sri Nripendra Rao’s Act of Banishment —
Down and out —
The Antaeus Cure —
The Colonel’s Note —
To Bray —
All aboard —
Into the night.
Chapter XII: The Golden Bull
Saturday 25th June 1768, feast of St Christopher Doghead, Patron of Travellers.
Our Characters:
Colonel Edward Mustard —
his close Friend and constant Companion, the hound Jacob —
Mr. Jedediah Blunt, a Light in the Darkness —
Sri Nripendra Rao, an eastern Philosopher-Prince —
Mr. Jeremiah Elmhall, a Person of little presence —
Mr. Valerie Tonkin, a retired Prizefighter and —
Vincent, Mr. Tonkin’s hound —
plus:
regrettably absent, Miss. Diana Chatterton (of the Surrey Chattertons) —
laudably absent, Mr. Launcelot Smith, a Grub Street warrior —
His Royal Highness King George III —
’neath the City Streets, Miss. Josephine, ward of the House of Mr. ben Ezra —
sheltering in the ruins, Mr. Henry Thomas, a Verger —
behind the world, a Lady Guardian.
And our Events:
Borne on the Bosom of the Thames —
the Palace at Kew —
an Audience with His Majesty —
a Commission —
to the Tower —
Mr. Nobles, Archivist —
more Tunnels —
another Light in the Darkness —
Mistress Josephine —
those which bleed into Creation —
St Gabriel’s Crypt —
the Shamblers in the Couryard —
a Mastiff, exorcised —
East India House (Tradesman’s Entrance) —
the Darkness in the Pit —
The Sign of Five —
Frozen in Fear —
The Shamblers close in —
Green Sparks —
into the Heart of Darkness —
a dusty Place —
a Gatekeeping Personage takes no Part —
the Lands of Dust —
the many-headed Beast —
the Lair of the Bull —
Mssrs Rao & Blunt melée with Minotaurs —
baiting the Bull —
Mustard the Bull-dancer —
Vincent the Bull Bollock Biter —
a double Tonkin —
a Bull-Byre of Gold —
every Coin perfect —
a very mobile Monkey —
self-Banishment —
a Golden Shower on London —
back in the Pit, the Shamblers, &c., &c. —
Sri Rao, the Naga and a Tonkin —
a cold Plunge —
and so to Billingate —
more Shamblers —
down the Thames without sail or paddle —
Mr. Elmhall to the Rescue.
Chapter XIII — The Clock turn’d back, and a Full Stop
Saturday 25 June (St. Christopher etc., etc.) and then Thursday 22 Sep 1768
Our Characters:
Colonel Edward Mustard —
his fiery hound Jacob —
Mr. Jedediah Blunt, who can drive a coach and horses through the Possess’d –
Sri Nripendra Rao, an eastern Philosopher-Prince —
Mr. Valerie Tonkin, a retired Prizefighter and —
Vincent, Mr. Tonkin’s hound —
Mr. Sidney Tallow, a Person knowledgeable of Rookeries —
plus:
the antient Sage Mr. Solomon ben Ezra, attended by his Ward, Miss. Josephine —
the Possess’d of London —
some Werewolves in London —
Mr Perkin Scroggins, Monument Keeper —
A Gatekeeping Personage of Green —
sundry Under-Secretaries of the Honourable East India Company including foremost Mr Henry Hunter —
and identified post-mortem from their possessions: Mr Neil McWheen, Mr George Cavendish, Mr Richard Flanders, Mr Paul Vanderman, Mr Steen Mullick – and some servants and employees, also dec’d.
And our Events:
Ashore at the Tower —
a Coach to the House of Mr. ben Ezra —
the Possess’d are now the walking Dead —
freeing captives —
the Wisdom of the Sage —
the matter of King Akkad III —
an audacious Plan —
towards the Noise of the Guns —
the Fire of London Monument —
an helping paw (and fang) —
a Philosophic Engine of a Previous Age —
to the King at Kew —
on the Matter of the Coin Engine —
the status quo ante, or, London restor’d: is all forgiven or at least forgotten? —
reviewing the situation with Mr. Solomon ben Ezra —
unforgetting and unforgiving —
a moral dilemma —
a new plan —
September —
to Flyte-in-the-Hole —
the Quarry —
the Lands of Dust —
the Guardian and her Price —
a Summoning and a Banishment —
the deepest Cellar of East India House —
bloody Work behind a locked Door —
with Captives, Cadavers and Contrivances to the Lands of Dust —
disposals, and an Account in Credit?
Chapter XIV — Shere Heart Attack
Mid-October 1768
Our Characters:
Colonel Edward Mustard a hopeful suitor —
his loyal hound Jacob —
Sri Nripendra Rao, an eastern Philosopher-Prince —
Mr. Jeremiah Elmhall, a Transportation Consultant —
plus:
Miss. Diana Chatterton (of the Surrey Chattertons) —
named in despatches: “Sir John” (John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer, Lord Tillingbourne) —
possible, and unwelcome, Suitors:
Mr. John Ripway perhaps known as “Flash Jack” and Mr. Stephen Winters, Spencer Cousins —
Ploughbench Jemmy and Nicholas Ploughhman, historical advisors —
Mr. James Harden, a Riding Officer out of Bow Street —
Mr. John Masters Innkeeper of the Cranleigh Inn, call’d the Jolly Smuggler
And our Events:
An Invitation —
to Chatterton House, at Shere, in Surrey —
Lord Tillingbourne’s Autumn Rout —
of
Chapter XV — The Autumn Rout
End-October 1768
Our Characters:
Miss. Diana Chatterton (of the Surrey Chattertons) —
her ardent Admirer Colonel Edward Mustard —
Sri Nripendra Rao, an eastern Philosopher-Prince —
Mr. Valerie Tonkin, a Prizefighter, retired from the ring —
Mr. Sidney Tallow, a Man of Business.
plus:
loyal hounds: Col. Mustard’s Jacob and Mr. Tonkin’s Vincent —
from Mustard Dragoons: Ensign Henry Wainthrop — his minders, Dragoons Larkins and Drew —
Mr. Jeremiah Elmhall, a respectable Man of Business — his cousins:
Miss Flora Munro and Miss Moira Sutherland respectable, though Celtic, Ladies of Business — the
nearby Squire “Sir John” (John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer, Lord Tillingbourne & Althorp) —
Mr. John Ripway, perhaps known as “Flash Jack”, the Earl’s distant Cousin — a Gang of Smugglers
and finally, but merest of mentions of:
Mr. Daniel Whithurst, a northern cousin of the Chattertons — the Reverend Frodsham Sharp, Incumbent of the Parish of Shere.