Tales of Northumbria

TALES OF NORTHUMBRIA
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
BY HOWARD PEASE
METHUEN & CO. 36 ESSEX STREET, W.C. LONDON 1899
TO EARL GREY EVER KEENLY INTERESTED IN WHATEVER CONCERNS HIS NATIVE COUNTY THESE SKETCHES OF NORTHUMBRIAN CHARACTER ARE DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
The tales that go to make up this small volume have already appeared in print: the first part of the Introduction, ‘A Long Main,’ ‘In Memoriov’m,’ in the National Observer ; ‘The Protégé,’ in the Queen ; ‘Quaker John and Yankee Bill,’ ‘T’Owd Squire,’ ‘An Ammytoor Detective,’ in the Newcastle Courant ; ‘À l’Outrance,’ in the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle ; and the remaining six in the Newcastle Daily Leader . I desire to tender my thanks herewith to the various editors concerned.
TALES OF NORTHUMBRIA
It is generally admitted that your Northumbrian pre-eminently possesses the quality which the pious but worldly Scotchman was used to pray for, namely, ‘a guid conceit o’ hissel’.’
It is the more unfortunate, therefore, that of late years a considerable landslip should have taken place in the ground whereon his reputation rested.
The local poet no longer hymns the ‘Champions o’ Tyneside,’ for Chambers and Renforth and other heroes have long since departed, leaving ‘no issue.’
Advancing civilization, again, has, it is to be feared, made havoc of the proud insularity of the Northumbrian squirearchy. No longer are they content, like the Osbaldistones of yore, to devote themselves to cellar and stable, to stay at home, contemptuous of London and its politics, of travel and of new ideas. ‘Markham’s Farriery’ and the ‘Guide to Heraldry’ have lost their pristine charm, and the Northumbrian is, as a consequence, foregoing his ancient characteristics merely to become provincial.
‘Geordie Pitman’ alone makes a stand against all modern innovation. Firm in his pele tower of ancient superiority, he is still convinced of the superiority of all things Northumbrian.