#hpl output

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1 & 2. Whatever xenophobia Lovecraft nurtured as a child & as a loner in the night streets of Providence, would one day, grow into a literary mass of fear, doom & racist vistas.

3 & 4. Comicbook projects extending & mixing the cosmic horror genre.

Modern writers explore all facets of Lovecraftian literature by seeing the Mythos thru modern eyes.

The old racism is usually left behind but, the fear is ever prevalent.

Though some projects - Lovecraft Country for one - actually overuse the racism angle!

5. The weirdest Mythos creature that I've ever seen!!

Truly alien...

6. A problematic cover for me!!

The alien in "Color Out of Space" isn't a regular being - just a radioactive tint!

So, the thing on this cover has to be a different Lovecraftian monster...

7. Ahh... A political poster made with the Rump's followers in mind.

Though, they'd probably not take to the joke quite as well...

8. A shoggoth at sea?

The Japanese words read "At the mountains of madness" & "Howard Philips Lovecraft."

This is surprising, as the focus of the picture is the giant wave...0ñ

9. The best bust of HPL that I've ever seen.

Hmm...

I seem to be saying that a lot today.

10. Lovecraft, exploring his own world of alien wonders & terrors.

It's kinda too bad he died thinking that he was a failure...

More famous writers have now been forgotten, while Howard's work are still readily available for anyone to read.

And, to freely add in their own night- mares to the Mythos.

In fact, we now study some other old authors because of their connection to Lovecraft!

1914: Addendum to HPL's "Teuton's Battle-Song."

Commentary: At this time, Howard's more serious poetry was based on his hard-line racist politics.

In Lovecraft's view, only Americans of white British descent mattered any- thing at all.

Everybody else were nothing more than degenerate subhuman filth!

Unfortunately, this feeling was quite common during HPL's lifetime.

This was especially true among New Englanders of Lovecraft's lost social class.

Howard treated this racist attitude as a fundamental pillar of the only world in which he could exist.

And, HPL liked to spread these faults in his 'satirical' political essays, stories & poems.

But, worse, Lovecraft was forever bemoaning the growing destruction of Anglo centric culture...

A major decline that was all due to the mere existence of immigrants.

Howard's adamant support for his own rationalism & his pursuit of truth, falls apart before his blindness on racial issues.

HPL's 'love' of British culture boils down to a sentimental superstition - of the type that he claimed to hate!

Even S.T. Joshi, his modern apologist, finds Lovecraft to be hypocritical upon this subject.

Especially since, Howard frames his bigotry in a Christian context.

A religious belief which HPL had long rejected - since he was 5 years old!!

So, Lovecraft's "Battle-Song" is not just war propaganda but, a literary affirmation of his racist views...

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics: Collections & a "can do" HPL!!

It's thought that all of Lovecraft's heroes are learned wimps who go mad at the drop of some debased ichor!

This is not true.

Howard had a select few heroes who got things done.

Violently - & smartly...

I mean, ramming your ship up into Cthulhu's belly - & making it explode (!!) - has got to be up there with our modern heroes's body counts...

If events had run differently, HPL could have ended up an action writer!! Somewhere along the lines of Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan...

With his Anglo-centric fixture, could Lovecraft have rewritten Robin Hood or set down the hellish adventures of Olde Camelot!!

(Like Kirby's Demon origin story?)

Hey, we can dream - right?

1914: Commentary on "Teuton's Battle-Song."

Intro: "Battle-Song" is Howard's poem on the glories of war - as seen by the descendants of Anglo-Saxon blood.

Christianity is but an alien influence "worn lightly" by English-Americans.

Whose ancient prowess was so badly needed for the sake of the U.K. - as it was affected by WW1.

Comments: This piece of HPL's war propaganda is an expression of his persistent racist views.

Lovecraft hated that Aryan nations were fighting each other, rather than the real danger - the racially inferior enemies of civilization itself.

Howard harks back to pre-Christian paganism, evoking a philosophy of violence & bloodshed.

But, it's merely a work of fascist rhetoric. One making use of Nordic culture & white supremacist 'dreams.'

This survives today, as some modern Neo-Pagans hold explicit racist beliefs - to the dismay of the more peaceful worshippers.

These Nazi ideals also filter thruout the works of Black Metal, NeoFolk & Martial Industrial music.

For example: Boyd Rice's (of NON) anthem "Total War" has the same central point as HPL's "Battle-Song."

Both see Christ as being for wimps & that soldiers need to be merciless during war...

These same ideas were also present in Germany - since the 1800s onwards. And, reached their peaks before both World Wars.

Lovecraft, sadly, believed in the whole notion of Aryan/Nordic/Teutonic superiority.

But, with his "Battle-Song," Howard seemed to be coming up with an Anglo version of Germany's national- ism.

Though HPL claimed to strongly dis- like romanticism, he did use it for propaganda purposes.

Lovecraft himself states that he wrote "Teuton's Battle-Song" as a rebuke for U.S. pacifism.

Indeed, Howard's sabre-rattling would continue thruout WW1.

And it started long before the sinking of the Lusitania stirred up American resentment against Germany.

"Arthur" (fake-geek-boy) judges that HPL's work is - at this time - notably better than his poems.

Yet, Lovecraft wouldn't abandon his old-fashioned & heavyhanded style - until he finally switched back to writing fiction again.

Strangely enough, Howard was aware of his poetic limits.

But, thought his ability to evoke poetic imagery & emotion was so bad, that he had to maintain a strict metrical form.

HPL actually considered it more important to be formally correct - than creatively interesting - ouch!!

But, he would finally find his inner poetic muse - much later in his life.

Never give up, never surrender...

End.

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics: The 9 Worlds & Ragnarok.

1. Marvel's 9 Nordic Worlds - which are all seen as being located in various different dimensions.

A nice simple diagram with all of the goodies accounted for... Almost.

2. Neil Gaiman's wonderful retelling of all of the important Norse tales.

Reads like a great fantasy series...

Highly recommended.

3 & 4. Ragnarok, the last major battle between the Aesir & all of their enemies!

The resurrection scenes afterwards are usually seen as a Christian additions.

But, some other scholars think that Ragnarok is actually part of a cyclical belief system.

5. Odin, powerful as he is, ends up being swallowed by Fenrir (marsh dweller), a wolf that the Aesir bound by treachery.

We shouldn't be surprised that Fenrir became the Norse Gods's enemy.

All because the Aesir feared Fenrir's growing size & strength...

6. Thor slays Jormungandr (vast binder) but, he only survives this dragon's poisonous breath long enough to take 9 steps!

This is usually seen as a reference to the volcanic fumes of Iceland, where a lot of the Nordic tales were re-written (?) - 200 years after the island first converted to Christianity.

1914: Output - Commentary.

Okay, let's get it out in the open right away. Lovecraft got Norse mythology wrong!

1st, although Odin is the All-Father, he's not the God resurrecting the Earth after Ragnarok.

During the last battle, Odin is quickly swallowed by Fenrir, 1 out of many giant wolves!

No, it's a reborn Balder who raises the Earth out of the ocean once again.

Then, there's the usage of English divine names for the Norse Gods - instead of the Anglo-Saxon versions.

Odin should be rendered Woden, etc...

Howard also didn't understand that the Aesir weren't all-powerful nor in charge of Nature.

Odin, for 1, rules over the warrior dead & is the war god of this elite force.

He's subordinate to Nature - &, the Norns...

Further, HPL seems to see the U.S. as the land that emerged after Ragnarok.

Europe, at this time, was destroying itself in the Great War (WW1).

Woden stands in for Christ - not far from many interpretations of Nordic myths.

The odd idea of "Social Darwinism" is central to this poem. If the strong kill the weak, they'll be rewarded up in Valhalla...

Lovecraft comments that "despite... peace advocates (our Christian civilization), rests but lightly upon Germanic shoulders.

When they're aroused - in the heat of battle - Teutons revert in mind.

They'll lose themselves in the fighting zeal that baffled Caeser & humbled Varus!

Some white folk, it seems, will use their ancestry to justify violence & bigotry.

But, many societies have allowed the sort of violence, slavery & inequality that deserves our condemnation.

We can't pretend that such evils aren't part of most human cultures.

After all, such crimes continue to this day...

[wyrmfedgrave]

Output: 1914.

Part 3: "Teuton's Battle Song" Continues -

Cries of pain (&) roars of... rage,

One vast symphony (my) ears engage.

Strike down... whoever bars your way;

Let each (man) kill,

(Before) he dies today!

Ride over the weak;

Accomplish what you can;

Gods are kind... to the strongest man!

Why should we fear?

What greater joy than this?

Asgard alone... gives (a) sweeter bliss!

My strength is waning;

Dimly I see

Valkyries close to me.

How strange the thought of fear,

With Woden's... messengers near!

Darkness comes (&) my spirit rise(s);

Kind Valkyrie bear me (up) to the sk(y).

Conscience clear,

I quit the earth below,

Woden's hall (will I) know.

Grove of Glasir¹... shall I behold,

On Valhalla's tablets be enrolled:

There til Heimdall's² horn shall sound,

And Ragnarok creation (sur)round,

Bifrost³ breaks beneath... Surtur's⁴ horde,

Gods & men fall beneath the sword;

The sun shall die,

And sea devour (all) land,

Stars decend & chaos stand(s).

Then, Alfadur makes his realm anew,

(To) Gods & men

(A) purer life is due.

In that country shall Abundance reign,

Nor shall... vice or woe... remain.

Then shall battle cease

And happiness prevail

(For) evermore.

Notes:

1. Glasir (gleaming) is a tree grove with golden red leaves that lies just outside of Valhalla.

2. Heimdall (illuminator of the world), the main watch guard of Asgard, has keen senses of sight & sound.

Himinbjorg (mountain castle), his home, is located where Bifrost meets the sky.

3. Bifrost (shimmering path) is the rainbow 'bridge' that connects Earth with the heavens.

However, this rainbow only has 3 colors! The red in the bridge is actually fires meant to keep the Jotnar (giants) away.

But, that defense will fail against Surtur's army...

Scholars think that it represents the Milky Way.

4. Surtur (swarty or black one) is a fire Jotunn (man? eaters) who wields a flaming sword.

He guards Muspellheim's (world wreckers) frontier & will lead an army to destroy Asgard - after personally defeating Freyr.

The flames from Asgard's destruction spread out & engulf the whole world!!

Flames that only go out when the Earth sinks in the sea...

PS: Commentary to follow in Part 4.

(Anybody else feel the Tri-State quake?)

Pics: "Teuton's Battle-Song."

1 & 2. A modern look at Anglo-Saxon warriors. These are based on what has been found by archaeologists.

Info comes in from A-S writings, art & what survived to be excavated.

Still, some 'educated' guesses help fill in for what is missing...

3. Shows the gradual withdrawal of Roman forces from Britain.

Also, early raiding by armed groups from around the island & from foreign ports in Europe.

4. Where the mass migrations came - mostly from Germanic tribes.

Successful early attacks became mass migrations of whole 'nations.'

These landings quickly spread out & took control of the southern & middle of the island.

This was early "England" (land of the Anglos)...

The whole island wouldn't be united until after the Norman conquest...

5 & 6. Modern (digital?) versions of Surtur, whose fiery sword closes out the Norse divine era.

For writers out there, this story needs to be continued - in the Balder Era.

Jack Kirby took a swing at it in his New God's storyline.

Anybody else?

7 thru 9. Surtur's horde of demon warriors - from the "Thor: Ragnarok" movie.

Marvel changed the original Norse stories - but, I think it worked out...

Spectacularly.

Next: Part 4 - Commentary.

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics: For Part 2 of "Teuton's War- Song."

1. Odin/Wooden on his throne, with his flying spies Hugin (memory) & Munin (thought).

Also present are his personal guards Geri (ravenous) & Freki (greedy).

Odin taught people to learn from how ravens & wolves cooperated on the hunt, how they cared for their families & defended themselves.

2. This looks like Marvel's 1st map for the lands of Asgard, where a younger Thor had so many early adventures!

Still waiting for the MCU to set up an Early Thor Adventures TV show...

An untried son of thunder, learning to wield a weapon based on "absolute honor & worthiness" - all the while exploring the hidden places & dangers of mythological worlds!!

My Gods! It writes itself...

3 & 4. Two fairly modern versions of the mythical Asgard (divine 'fort'?).

Weird Bit: After Asgard was built, a protective wall was needed against Ice Giant attacks.

So, an unnamed Jotunn & his stallion offered to build the wall - in return for the sun, moon & marriage to Freya!!

The Aesir agreed - so long as he could finish in 1 year...

To the Gods's surprise, the stallion is helping to quickly finish the wall!

So, Loki "changes his appearance" to that of a female horse!!

With his horse distracted by Loki's sexual hijinks, the Jotunn knows he won't finish the wall on time.

So, he reveals that he's a Jotunn in a blaze of anger!

And Thor kills the giant - as he usually does.

Later, Loki gives birth to Sleipnir (slippery?) - an 8 legged grey horse that becomes Odin's mount!

So, did Loki stay a female horse until Sleipnir's birth date?

Or, did he walk outside proudly - as a pregnant 'man'...

Way to represent!

5. Cover for a book collecting the best of Kant's philosophical works.

There's a strange 'rumor' going around that pics supposedly showing Kant's picture - actually depict somebody else...

6. Midgard!! Or, a viking named map of Europe!

Enjoy the madness of an ancient tongue...

7 & 8. What were the einherjar actually eating?

Saehrimnir (sooty sea beast) is now thought to be a boar - with tusks, hooves & a date to be dinner!!

Yet, the translation of its name also suggests some kind of large seafood!

Walrus?

These mammals are seen as far south as St. Laurence Island & the Pribilof Islands.

9 & 10. Two renditions of the einherjar (those who fight alone).

Although they form an army, there's no true - united strategy in their attacks!!

Each man runs forward & attacks or defends as he sees fit!

This might work best for Berserkers but, it can easily become a mass of stalemate & confusion...

End.

[wyrmfedgrave]

1914: The Work.

"Mighty Odin laughs upon his throne¹,

Claim(ing) his children² for his own.

The voice of Thor resounds from on high,

(As) armed Valkyries ride (in) the sky:

The Gods of Asgard³ their powers release,

To rouse... dullards from (their) peace.

Awake,... hypocrites & deign to (see),

The actions of (your) "Brotherhood of Man⁴."

Could your shrill pippings... impair,

The warlike impulse (found) there?

Where now the gentle maxims of school,

The Cant⁵ of preachers & (their) Golden Rule⁶?

What (can) feeble... doctrine... sway?

Too long restrained... bloody tempest breaks,

Midgard⁷, beneath the (tread) of warriors shakes,

On to death, Berserkers⁸ bold!!

In acts of (red) bravery... die!

Who cares (for a) heaven (full) of priests,

When only warriors... with Woden⁹ feast?

Flesh of Schrimnir¹⁰ &... cup of mead,

Are for him who falls in martial deed:

Luckless boor that passive meets his end,

Never in Valhalla (will he) contend¹¹.

Slay, brothers, slay!!

Bathe in crimson gore;

Let Thor... view the sport once more!

All... thoughts fad(e) in(to) mist,

Attack or... resist.

List,... Alfadur¹² to the clash of steel;

How (a)like does each swordsman feel!"

Notes:

1. Odin's main throne was in Valhalla. But, he had another, lesser known seat of office.

This was called Hlidskjalf (high seat with a view) & it allowed the 1-eyed God to use seidr (omniscience)!

There, 1 could look into the other realms. Such as when Freyr (lord) did so, when he peeked into Jotunheim - & fell in love...

It's described as being inside of Valaskjalf (Shelf of the Slain), Odin's home.

Freyr, BTW, is the Vanir (friends?) God of peace, rain & fertility. Though from another race of Gods, he lived with the Aesir - as a 'hostage!'

2. In the Christian Bible, there's 2 versions of the creation event.

But, in Norse myth, there's different Gods present at man's creation.

The only God present in both versions is Odin.

He was the 1 to breathe life into 2 tree trunks found at the beach. These were named Ask (ash tree) & Embla (elm, water pot or vine?)

3. Asgard (Gods's 'fort'?) was home to the Norse Gods. Several divine homes are located there.

Places like Alfheim (Elfland), Gladsheimr (bright home), Idavollr (splendid plain), Noatun (ship port?), Vingolf (friendly hall) & Valhalla are all located there.

4. Here, Lovecraft shows his disdain of Immanuel Kant's book Perpetual Peace & the growing inter- national peace movement.

Kant was a major German philosopher.

Hate much, Lovecraft?

5. Interesting word: It describes any hypocritical or sanctimonious speech on political, religious or moral.

It's also all about particular slangs, lingos & science terminology!

"Beam me up, Scotty?"

6. The Golden Rule, of almost all religions, is to treat others as you want to be treated. It got this name because there's value in being respectful & caring with 1 another.

7. Midgard (middle earth or 'fort' wall?) is the Earth. It named the "wall around the world," a defense from Ice Giant attacks!!

Where's Thor when you really need him?

Making movies...

8. Berserkers were unruly Norse warriors who fought in a trance-like fury!

Some would fight in the nude - unhindered by either, wounds or weather.

Others bit their shields or roared like banshees!

Often, they attacked both, friends & foes - which led them be outlawed.

Think about that for a 2nd...

A successfully violent & martial culture that's scared of no 1 - except 1 of their own!!

9. Woden¹³ is the Anglo-Saxon version of the Scandinavian Odin. He's also king of their Gods & leads the nightmarish 'Wild Hunt!'

But, all of these divinities are of Germanic stock. Local languages account for the variant spellings.

10. Schrimnir is now spelled Saehrimnir (sooty sea beast). Both, however, are the names of the magical boiled meat served in Valhalla.

The beast (walrus?) is slaughtered each evening to feed the Einherjar (warriors who fight alone?).

Then, the beast (boar?!) is resurrected again - til the next evening...

11. Cowards & those who died in bed or from disease weren't welcomed in Valhalla. Only heroic warriors could expect to be taken there.

However, only half of the slain actually went to Valhalla. The rest went to Folkvangr (field of the host), hall of Freya (the lady).

Freya was the Goddess of love, war & magic. She's also an Aesir 'hostage' & was originally a Vanir Goddess.

12. Alfadur (all father) is another name for Odin.

But, long after Ragnarok, an Alfadur is supposed to recreate some of the lost worlds.

The whole 9 worlds aren't mentioned.

This sounds like a major error, since it's Balder who's supposed to do that.

But, perhaps, Alfadur is a title that passed down to Odin's son...

It could be this error that confounded Lovecraft's translation.

13. Anglo-Saxon Woden is also known as Uuoden in Old Saxon, Wuodan in Old Dutch, Weda in Old Frisian & Wuotan in Old High German.

All these various names go back to the old Proto- Germanic Wodanaz, meaning "Lord of the Frenzied."

Odin seems to translate as "lord of inspiration?" But , it can also mean "lord of the delirious or raging."

Next: Part 3 The Work continues...

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1. WW1 has several nicknames but, none so foolish as this...

Among the other nicknames are:

A. "The Chemist's War" (due to the poisonous gasses used).

B. "The Forgotten War" (much time has passed - were coning up on the century mark).

C. "The Great War" (there's nothing great about any war).

D. "World War 1" (not known as this until the 2nd World War started).

2. Valkyries on the way to a battle - where they'll decide who died a 'worthy' enough death that they deserve the honor of helping Odin during Ragnarok.

3. Leftover picture from an earlier post.

"Recipes from the Mythos lore of HP Lovecraft" - exactly what's needed to not feel when you're being eaten alive!

With 'fun' drinks like: the "King in Jell-O," "Pink FlaMi-Go," "Sunken Island Iced Tea," "Root Beer of All Evil," "Bloodbath & Beyond," etc...

75 recipes in all, so drink responsively.

4. There's 13 types of dragons in all.

But, though the Lindworm was originally wingless & limbless, you'll note that the modern version has 2 clawed arms & bat-like wings...

Blame it on 'evolution.'

5. The largest extent of the Danelaw in Anglo-Saxon England.

This was land invaded by the Great Heathen Army in 865 AD.

It lasted until 1002 AD, when Saxon King Aethelred the Unready ordered the Saint Brice's Day Massacre!!

This brutal murder of prominent Danes led to vicious war crimes - like the burning of churches & the killing of women & children...

These events would, ultimately, lead to the successful Norman invasion of England.

6. Illustration of the basic myth of the Lindworm.

The heroine is helping Prince Worm to shed 1 of its many skins...

Then, it'll be her turn.

See below.

7. Nordic 'Amazons'?

Not quite.

Female warriors have always been fewer than their male counterparts.

But, the idea of Nordic shield maidens has been known for ages.

Yet, few modern archaeologists truly believed in such tales.

Well, now there's proof that they did exist.

Now, I'm waiting for them to find the burial site of that badass, Lagertha.

She was so fierce in battle, that even her enemies were amazed of her fighting prowess!

1914: Output.

Intro: Ragnar's¹ earlier poem (also from 1914) connects thematically to "The Teuton's² Battle-Song." Both works speak about the 'glories' of war.

In "Teuton's Battle-Song," HPL sees Christianity as a foreign influence that's too weak to follow during war.

Howard tells English-Americans to remember their now muted warrior prowess - a gift from their ancestral roots.

Because it's a special quality that will be useful in the growing War to End All Wars...

Opening Quote: Since I've already posted on "Death-Song" earlier (up- dating needed meanings), I thought readers might be interested in reading some of Lovecraft's more primal version.

The quote HPL used is from the end of "Ragnar's Death- Song."

"We hewed with the brand!! My life is well-nigh over."

"Sharp is the pang, That serpents give. Goinn, the Snake,³ Nests deep in my heart."

"No more will my children rest; Great wrath will be theirs⁴, At the undoing of their sire."

"We hewed with the brand!! Full gladly do I go!"

"With the Valkyrjar,⁵ Fresh from Odin's hall!"

"High seated among heroes, Shall I quaff the yellow mead.⁶ The Aesir welcome me."

"Laughing gladly do I die."

Notes:

1. This is Lovecraft's translation of a Latin version from the Nordic original "Ragnarr Lothbrok's Death-Song."

2. Teutons were folk hailing from ancient Jutland (now Denmark).

They migrated south to Gaul (France) - attacking the Roman Republic in 105 BC. But, were defeated in 101 BC.

Martyrdom: The Roman terms of surrender were that 300 married Teutonic women would become sex slaves!

These matrons begged to minister the temples of Ceres & Venus instead.

But, their request was denied.

So, these women killed their children & strangled each other!!

This is now known as "Teutonic Fury."

3. I firmly believe that "Goinn, the Snake, is the name of the Lindworm⁷ that Ragnar slew to earn his name - &, the hand of his bride!!

But, I've yet to find any info on this dragon...

4. A father's wrathful kids - no kidding!!

Ragnar's sons were among the Danish war bands which attacked England.

They conquered a large portion of the eastern & northern countryside.

Which became known as the Danelaw.

5. Valkyrjar seems to be a misspelling of Valkyrjur, the modern "Valkyrie."

6. Yellow or golden mead describes a honey based Nordic wine.

In myth, when honey was mixed with Kvasir's blood, it was called the Mead of Poetry.

The reddish linden berry was crushed & the resulting liquid was mixed with fermented honey to celebrate the above 'event.'

This magical drink was supposed to convey Kvasir's knowledge & wisdom upon the drinker!

Okay...

7. The Lindworm is a folktale that spread from India to Scandinavia!

Indians have been trading with Europeans since, at least Alexander the Great's time.

Earlier, Indians traded with Sumeria in the Middle East.

The basic story plot is of a cursed queen who gives birth to a prince - in snake form!

He's married off to a smart gal. One who breaks his curse - by stripping!!

For every piece of clothing that she takes off, he sheds 1 of his snake skins completely...

After 7 such sheddings, the curse is finally broken!

(Sounds like the Arabian Dance of the 7 Veils!!)

Lind might mean "soft & flexible."

And worm is Norse for "a wingless, limbless man-eating dragon!"

Next: Part 2 - The Work.

What was Goinn, the Snake?

A respected Cherokee warrior, orator & political leader.

Family name found in 1880's U.S. & it traces back to Britain & Ireland.

Voting ended onApr 3, 2024

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1. Lovecraft, was well known for being a teetotaler.

Early in his adult life, he wrote several essays & letters trying to convince readers of the need for abstinence.

Howard lived thru the U.S.'s national ban (Prohibition) on alcoholic drinks.

And, he was surprised at the eruption of violence & criminal activities that followed while that ban was legal.

Later in life, HPL would 'mellow' out (on a few subjects) enough to accept other's moderation while drinking.

2. Benjamin Rush, Doctor of America's Revolution & 1st to study the effects of alcoholic drinks on human beings.

3. Richard Turner, British teetotaler whose stammering during a speech gave us a new word for non-drinkers.

4. The founding date for the American Temperance Society.

5 to 7. Certificates used by members of the Independent Order of Good Templars.

8 & 9. Two of several books, published by the Good Templars, on the inner workings of their group.

1914: Output, Part 2.

Work: Lovecraft starts out strongly - quickly attacking the very presence of alcohol.

"(Even) in the open air, the stench of whiskey (is) appalling."

He sees clearly which main problem over drinking can lead to...

"To this fiendish poison, the greater part of... squalor... is due."

Howard even notices that drinking affects all races.

So, for once, he classifies different people together.

"Many of these vermin were... not foreigners. (I counted) 5 Americans¹ (of) vanished decency (due to) red whiskey bloating."

HPL then gets to the heart of this problem.

"(Drink) is the deadliest enemy (of) humanity... Not all the European wars produce(d) a 10th of the havoc (that) this wretched fluid (does)."

Again, Lovecraft identifies all drinkers together - by the facial signs of over imbibing.

"(In) that mob of sodden brutes, (I) pictured a... (scene of) spotless linen & glistening silver. Gentlemen... in their evening attire."

"In (whose) reddening faces... I could trace the same lines (as) in the beasts of the crowd."

Howard then questions whether the national temperance movement will actually be successful.

(This was long before Prohibition was repealed!²)

"How can reform be wrought... when respectable (tables) groan beneath... goblets of rare old vintages?"

"Is mankind asleep, that its enemy is... entertained (like) a bosom friend."

HPL now provides a local example.

"At a parade, for the... Rhode Island National Guard, the Chief Executive³... appeared in such an intoxicated (state) that he could (hardly) guide his (horse) or retain his seat."

Lovecraft closes his comments with his personal stance on the subject.

"I am, perhaps, an extremist on... Prohibition. But, I see no justification for the tolerance of such a degrading demon."

Notes:

1. Here, Howard's only talking about white Americans.

He never seems to have understood that all Americans are immigrants & were once minorities as well.

2. Prohibition ran from 1920 to 1933 & HPL wrote these comments in 1914.

3. Sadly, Lovecraft doesn't reveal this 'august' person's name - but, perusal of the R.I. state records should reveal who it was...

End.