Mervyn Peake – Page 2 – derrickjknight

Droll Tales 16

The Folio Society edition of the sixth tale of the second Decade of Balzac’s collection of Droll Tales has three extra words, as bracketed here, “The Danger of being too (much of an) Innocent”, included in the title, which are not included by the other two publishers featured.

Here is Mervyn Peake’s drawing for Folio;

Gustave Doré has produced three pictures for The Bibliophilist Society;

and Jean de Bosschère one for Covici Friede.

The story tells of the parental figures’ control of the childhoods of the young subjects of an arranged marriage; the first nights of the bride and groom; their ignorance of what each was to expect of the other between the sheets; their seeking instruction from older teachers; and the subsequent outcome.

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/except that the second Decade is published by New York’s Covici, Friede in 1929. It is America’s first edition thus and is a limited copy. The illustrations are not protected by tissue but the book’s condition is good and covered by a cellophane wrapper.

Droll Tales 13

In truth, I am not sure how take the third tale of the second Decade of Honoré de Balzac’s scurrilous stories. And I am not sure that the publishers and their illustrators are either.

No doubt packed with the author’s double entendre one could take this as what The Folio Society edition entitles “The Edificatory Conversation of the Nuns of Poissy” – perhaps that is also tongue in cheek? – or do we understand the warnings against male fleas to be the consequences of consorting with men? Repeated reading suggests the latter to me – but also that there are many ways of getting round the difficulty. After all, this convent was the butt of jokes.

Mervyn Peake’s illustration demonstrates one refuge for disappointed suitors.

“The Merry Tattle of the Nuns of Poissy” is the preferred title of Gustave Doré’s publishers, while those of

Jean de Bosschère who, true to type is sure of how to interpret the prose, prefer “The Merry Quips of the Nuns of Poissy”

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/ except that the second Decade is published by New York’s Covici, Friede in 1929. It is America’s first edition thus and is a limited copy. The illustrations are not protected by tissue but the book’s condition is good and is covered by a cellophane wrapper.

Droll Tales 15

“A Courtier’s False Wife” is The Folio Society’s title for the fifth tale of the second Decade of Balzac’s scurrilous series, illustrated by

Mervyn Peake.

Gustave Doré’s publishers prefer “The False Courtesan”,

whereas those of Jean de Bosschère opt for “The Sham Courtesan”.

Once again I think the later publishers have chosen the correct alternatives, because this is the story of the lengths to which the Duke of Orleans has gone in order trick a faithful couple into infidelity – with each other. The lady in question is false to a courtesan identity, not in reality as a wife.

Droll Tales 12

The second Tale of the second Decade of Honoré de Balzac’s Droll Tales bears the title “King Francis’s Short Commons” in the Folio Society edition

illustrated by Mervyn Peake.

This is a very short story concerning the French King’s spell of captivity in Madrid by the Emperor Charles the Fifth, during which his short commons were relieved by a series of ladies encouraging him to select a preference between those of France and of Spain.

The publishers of both Gustave Doré’s

and Jean de Bosschère’s pictorial interpretations each adopted “The Continence of King Francis the First”.

Droll Tales 10

The constant cold we are currently experiencing at home is becoming energy sapping enough for me to stay indoors and read more of Balzac’s Droll Tales.

The Folio Society have opted for the title Last Word for the tenth tale in the first Decade of Honoré de Balzac’s characteristically amusing stories.

This is a short account of unrequited lust, teasing temptation, crafty cuckolding, hopeless hatred and craving for vengeance, in what is presented as a warning lesson.

Here is Mervyn Peake’s sensitive illustration to the Folio Society edition.

Gustave Doré’s publishers have named the story “The Reproach”,

while the Bodley Head, for whom Jean de Bosschère provided the picture, prefer “The Rebuke”.

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/

This evening we all dined on Jackie’s flavoursome chicken and vegetable stewp with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Syrah.

Droll Tales 9

The ninth tale in the first Decade of Balzac’s collection of bawdy tales contains snippets of the life of a worldly cleric which to my mind to not constitute a coherent whole.

Entitled The Curé of Azay-Le-Rideau by the Folio Society (featuring

Despite her great timidity the fair maid at once laced laced her plump arms about her horseman's breast-plate

an illustration by Mervyn Peake),

and by The Bodley Head featuring one by Jean de Bosschère;

and The Vicar of Azay-Le-Rideau by The Bibliophilist Society’s

edition featuring Gustave Dorés work.

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/

Droll Tales 7

“The Maid of Thilhouse”, as entitled by the first two publishers featured below, becomes “The Virgin of Thilhouse” to the third.

This is the story a far older wealthy man who sought to purchase a sixteen year old bride with bribery and property; this rather backfired on him. A short piece nevertheless packed with witty prose.

Valênes fidgeted on his stool, stretching out his neck like a monkey

Here is Mervyn Peake’s illustration.

These are those of Gustave Doré;

and this one by Jean de Bosschère.

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/

Droll Tales 6

The sixth tale in the first Decade of Honoré de Balzac’s scurrilous set is, in The Folio Society’s edition illustrated by

This particular knight always clung to the same pillar

Mervyn Peake, entitled The Constable of France’s Wife.

In the author’s witty, humorous, robust prose packed with wordplay and innuendo, we have a story of seduction, deceit, and mistaken identity, which somewhat backfires on the perpetrators.

The High Constable’s Wife is the title translation given by the publishers of Gustave Doré’s earlier pictures;

and of those from Jean de Bosschère.

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/

Droll Tales 5

The fifth tale in the first Decade of these stories by Honoré de Balzac is entitled variously as respectively accompanying each of the featured illustrators.

In profusely romping prose presented with humorous wit, similes and metaphors galore the author makes us privy to a right royal extended poo joke of a king known for his loose, licentious, living and propensity for practical pranks.

Nicole Beaupertius was as sharp-beaked as a parrot, but well upholstered

Mervyn Peake. The Diversions of King Louis XI.

Gustave Doré. The Merrie Jests of King Louis the Eleventh.

Jean de Bosschère. The Merrie Diversions of King Louis the Eleventh.

Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/

Droll Tales 3

The wind and the rain returned for the best part of the day which I spent on more reading of Balzac.

The third story of the second Decade of his Droll Tales, with the slightly varying titles shown beside the relevant name of the illustrators shown below, is a short tale of a marriage arranged for money; how the beautiful daughter turned it to her advantage; and the ultimate outcome. Further details of the publications are given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/

Just as he was telling himself he had been fooled there was the maid to open the door to him

King’s Darling. Mervyn Peake;

The King’s Sweetheart. Gustave Doré;

The King’s Mistress. Jean de Bosschère.

This evening we dined on roast lamb; roast pork with crisp crackling; roast parsnips and potatoes, including softer sweet ones; firm broccoli and crunchy carrots, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Shiraz.