Title:  Parnassus on Wheels

Author:  Christopher Morley

Release Date:  March, 2004 [EBook #5311] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on June 29, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK Parnassus on wheels ***

Digitized by Cardinalis Press, C.E.K.  Prepared for Project Gutenberg by Andrew Sly

PARNASSUS ON WHEELS

BY

CHRISTOPHER MORLEY

To H.B.F. and H.F.M. 
“Trusty, dusky, vivid, true”

A letter to
David Grayson, Esq. 
Of Hempfield, U.S.A.

MY DEAR SIR,

Although my name appears on the title page, the real author of this book is Miss Helen McGill (now Mrs. Roger Mifflin), who told me the story with her own inimitable vivacity.  And on her behalf I want to send to you these few words of acknowledgment.

Mrs. Mifflin, I need hardly say, is unskilled in the arts of authorship:  this is her first book, and I doubt whether she will ever write another.  She hardly realized, I think, how much her story owes to your own delightful writings.  There used to be a well-thumbed copy of “Adventures in Contentment” on her table at the Sabine Farm, and I have seen her pick it up, after a long day in the kitchen, read it with chuckles, and say that the story of you and Harriet reminded her of herself and Andrew.  She used to mutter something about “Adventures in Discontentment” and ask why Harriet’s side of the matter was never told?  And so when her own adventure came to pass, and she was urged to put it on paper, I think she unconsciously adopted something of the manner and matter that you have made properly yours.

Surely, sir, you will not disown so innocent a tribute!  At any rate, Miss Harriet Grayson, whose excellent qualities we have all so long admired, will find in Mrs. Mifflin a kindred spirit.

Mrs. Mifflin would have said this for herself, with her characteristic definiteness of speech, had she not been out of touch with her publishers and foolscap paper.  She and the Professor are on their Parnassus, somewhere on the high roads, happily engrossed in the most godly diversion known to man—­selling books.  And I venture to think that there are no volumes they take more pleasure in recommending than the wholesome and invigorating books which bear your name.

Believe me, dear Mr. Grayson, with warm regards,

Faithfully yours,
Christopher Morley.

CHAPTER ONE