The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of Early-Victorian Street Literature and Stories (no AI)

APOLOGIES — the wrong Dreadful was cued up for this episode when it was first posted. It has now been fixed! You may need to re-download to get the new one.PART I: “THE PENNY DREADFULS”: 0:00 — 32:00:01:46: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 34: Varney wakes Flora up. “The vampire!” she shrieks. “Yes,” he replies, “the vampire.” He then tells Flora that he can only be un-vampired if a lovely maiden such as Flora will consent to love him. She, of course, cannot. He makes a bit show of demanding more blood; and once he’s got her really terrified, he tells her she has but one chance: Flight. Leave Bannerworth Hall…. And, as we know but Flora does not, its hidden treasure!19:00: STREET BROADSIDE: A moralizing cautionary “catchpenny” about what (allegedly) happened to a farmer when he casually uttered some blasphemies.28:25: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: Two short ones — one about a nobleman taming a lion, and another about a brave French officer forced to wrestle for his life with an angry wolf.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 32:30 — 1:10:00:32:55: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: COUNT MAGNUS, by M.R. James; Part 2 of 2 parts: Mr. Wraxall gets to see inside the tomb, and finds the metallic sound he heard when he called a greeting to Count Magnus was the sound of one of three padlocks dropping off his sarcophagus. On a later visit the second one falls away. Mr. Wraxall finds himself behaving strangely, chanting greetings to Count Magnus; what is happening to him? And what will happen when the third padlock falls away, leaving the sarcophagus free to be opened and entered … or, dare we say, emerged from?53:10: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: A gentleman is surprised to see his cousin’s governess on the streets of a faraway city. But when he turns to greet her, he finds she’s vanished! 1:08:15: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham, Massachusetts Colony. Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:AUTEM GOGGLERS: Conjurers or fortune-tellers. ANGELICS: Pretty maidens. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. BODY-SNATCHERS: Magistrates, thief-takers and police officers. FLOWERS OF SOCIETY: VIPs, big-‘uns, fancy people. CLAP OF THUNDER: Glass of brandy. FLASH OF LIGHTNING: Glass of gin. VADE MECUM: Latin for "hand book."JOE MILLER: A player at Drury-lane, in the early 1700s, who was famous for a Leslie Nielsen style of stone-faced comedy. Mr. Miller was always so serious (and don’t call him Shirley) that he was hilarious on stage. When he died leaving some dependents uncared-for, the jestbook was created by Joe’s friends as a sort of inside joke, as a fundraiser to support his bereaved family.LEG BAIL: Running away to avoid being caught and imprisoned. UNBOILED LOBSTERS: New Model Police officers (post-1829) so named for their blue uniforms; unboiled lobsters being blue-ish. Boiled lobsters, which are red, furnished a Flash slang term for Royal Army soldiers. PUT THE TOUCH ON: Arrest. MACERS: Swindlers. STARGAZERS: Prostitutes. BUZ-NAPPERS: Pickpockets. COLLEGE: Prison, in this case Fleet Prison and King’s Bench Prison. RUM TE TUM WITH THE CHILL OFF: Most emphatically excellent.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 49:00:01:10: TODAY’S TERRIBLE TIDBIT — Jan. 8, 1851: A little chimney-sweeper boy who suffocated in the factory chimney he was cleaning, because the proprietor did not let it cool completely before sending him in, on Jan. 8, 1851. From Dickens’ Dreadful Almanac, a book by Cate Ludlow, 2010.02:50: HANGED TODAY — Jan. 8, 1813: A new Ha’penny Horrid feature! January 8, 1813, three Luddites were hanged for murder after allegedly ambushing and killing industrialist William Horsfall on the high road at Crosland Moor. More details: https://www.executedtoday.com/2013/01/08/1813-yorkshire-luddites-william-horsfall/ . 05:20: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 78-79: You’re going to think we’ve gotten our Horrids and Torrids mixed up. In Chapter 78, Arabella pours her heart out to Big Ben regarding her feelings of guilt and shame for having put Johanna up to the secret-agent-in-Todd’s-shop wheeze. He, unfortunately, misinterprets her statement as a confession that she has gotten pregnant somehow, and we get some much-needed laughs out of that! And then in Chapter 79, Colonel Jeffery gives us all a fantastic demonstration of how to screw up a confession of love, when he tries to get Arabella to take him on as a boyfriend.36:00: BROADSIDE BALLAD: A “catchpenny” account of an entitled squire who lusted after a maiden who belonged to another, and, finding himself alone with her in a quiet place, escalated his suit to violence, then double-murdered his way out of the ensuing difficulty when her beau came on the scene. From Curiosities of Street Literature, a book by Charles Hindley, 1871.40:15: HIGHWAYMAN CULTURE (THE NEWGATE CHRONICLES): In the 1600s and 1700s, the roads of England were plagued with banditti, and the most surprising people, from shopkeepers to members of the King’s Guard, chose a life of violent crime. James Whitney (hanged in 1694) is a great example. (Image: Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, via romantic-circles.org, a peer-reviewed scholarly Website devoted to Romantic-period literature and culture. More on highwayman Whitney: https://romantic-circles.org/gallery/image/trwe-effigies-james-whitney-notorious-highwayman . PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 50:00 — 1:28:30:50:20: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 45: Dick and Tom flee, hotly pursued by the officers, who chase them all day. They just make it to a forest, which they plunge into. Unable to shake their pursuers, they turn at bay behind a great fallen tree and draw their swords. But Tom has been hit and has lost a lot of blood. Things are looking bleak for our heroes!1:11:00: SOME STREET POETRY from an 1830s “broadside”: "The Blooming Lady,” a ballad of a fancy toff’s bride, worth £500,000 on her own, who ran off with a handsome servant … and her £500k.1:14:30: ONE OR TWO VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "Noses to Faces and Tails to Arses” (about a frustrated farmer who finds his village parson is taking too great an interest in “prayer services” with his pretty wife)1:18:50: A FEW MILDLY DIRTY JOKES from what passed in 1830 for a dirty joke book: "The Joke-Cracker."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham.FLASH TERMS:A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode at https://pennydread.com/discord .

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch, for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 33:20:01:27: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 33: Varney quits Ratford Abbey and walks to Bannerworth Hall; although the moon has not yet risen, he shows great familiarity with the grounds and is able to make his way almost blind. By listening to him muttering, we gather that the quest he is on is one which he hopes will furnish him with sufficient money to make his final £1000 payment early, and thus be spared the dread of the stranger’s last visit. But soft: is that a footstep on the garden path? Someone else is also walking abroad in the garden on this pitch-dark night. Who could it be?24:35: BROADSIDE CATCHPENNY: An account of a couple of titled Regency roysterers on a spree, in which one bets the other £5,000 (about £600,000 today — $800,000 to $1.2 million in USD, CAD, AUD or NZD) that he can carry him on his shoulders nine times around St. James’s Square … with a twist.28:50: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: A “Tiger King” moment for the Regency era: A lioness escapes from a private zoo and attacked the Exeter Mail coach, severely wounding a horse and killing a brave dog and frightening the passengers half to death.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 33:47 — 1:04:30:34:12: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Count Magnus, by M.R. James; Part 1 of 2 parts: A tour-guide writer named Mr. Wraxall comes to a town called Roebeck, family seat of an aristocratic family called De La Gardie. One of the De La Gardies, a man so cruel, brutal, and sinister that his reputation lingers even 300 years later, was a character named Count Magnus. Mr. Wraxall is fascinated by Count Magnus, and as he prosecutes his research he starts to see that Count Magnus has been on something called the “Black Pilgrimmage.” But no one will tell him what that is …50:43: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: Staying up late in the library of an old manor house to study some rare books in its library, our correspondent finds he is not alone ….1:02:00: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:BLOODS, BUCKS AND CHOICE SPIRITS: Disorderly young roisterers on a spree. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. LACED WOMEN: Virtuous women. GENTRY COVES: Gentlemen of high social standing. SNICKER: Small tumbler. BLUE RUIN: Gin, with the implication that it’s a cheaper grade. BITE YOUR NAME IN IT: Take a very big drink. JOE MILLER: A player at Drury-lane, in the early 1700s, who was famous for a Leslie Nielsen style of stone-faced comedy. Mr. Miller was always so serious (and don’t call him Shirley) that he was hilarious on stage. When he died leaving some dependents uncared-for, the jestbook was created by Joe’s friends as a sort of inside joke, as a fundraiser to support his bereaved family.RED WAISTCOAT: Uniform apparel of the Bow-street Runners, an early London police force replaced by the New Model Police (who dressed in blue rather than red) in 1839.GAMMONERS: Swindlers or bullshitters.ROMONERS: Gammoners who pretend to have occult powers.NEW DANCING-ACADEMY: The treadmill at Brixton Prison. There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 41:25:01:20: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: Three years before, she walked in on a murder that had just been committed …03:35: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 76-77: We now cut away to Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop. It is thronged with eager customers and doing a land-office trade. But Mrs. Lovett is nervous. Her captive cook has suddenly started being super punctual and cheerful, which makes her suspicious. She decides she’s going to disappear from the scene; but she’s a little worried about that cook. If he pulls whatever stunt he’s scheming about too soon, it could ruin everything …33:00: STREET BROADSIDE: A “catchpenny” broadside about a gang of highway robbers who murder a newlywed couple, and then one by one fall victim to deadly accidents.36:35: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: An account of an evil servant of a linen bleacher who murdered a neighbor kid to cover up his theft. In the 1820s, chlorine having not yet been invented, linen was still bleached by boiling it in lye and then laying it out on grass for seven days.PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 42:00 — 1:19:45:42:30: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 43-44: After our boys have a night’s rest courtesy of a family of gypsies — a noble and honorable people provided one respects their customs — the lads push on, keeping a sharp eye out for any chance to “do some business.” They soon come upon what looks like a wedding party! Who doesn’t want to be robbed at pistol-point on his wedding-night? The groom, that’s who! Who does? His newly-wedded bride, it seems. Sounds ridiculous, right? You’ll soon see.1:02:20: SOME STREET POETRY from an 1830s “broadside”: "The Blooming Goddess” and “18s.-A-Week.”1:07:20: ONE OR TWO VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "The bug destroyers” (about some exterminators called to purge the bedbugs from a whorehouse) and “Up the Flue; or, The Knowing Clergyman,” about a frisky chimney-sweep.1:13:10: A FEW MILDLY DIRTY JOKES from what passed in 1830 for a dirty joke book: "The Joke-Cracker.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:SPICE ISLANDERS: A punning reference to swindlers. A mace is a swindle, but mace is also a spice.SMASHERS: Counterfeit-coin makers.KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. BAWDY DAME: A brothel madam.BUGGER: Then as now, a reference to sodomy.KNOWING CLERGYMAN: A rakish chimney sweep. (Like clergymen, chimney sweeps were always dressed in black.)CHUMMY: A chimney sweep’s boy helper sent to crawl into chimneys to clean them. These kids had a hard life, and often a short one.BLOW HIS BAGS OUT: Give him a really good feed.TO BE BURNT: To be infected with an STD.SHERRY OFF: To run away at top speed. Adopted from the nautical term "to sheer off."FLATS: Suckers. FLY TO: Wised-up about, aware of.FAKEMENT: Plot or scheme.TOPPING COVE: Hangman.THE OLD STONE JUG: Newgate Prison, or prisons in general.PADDINGTON FAIR: Execution day at Tyburn Tree gallows, which was in Paddington parish; during the years when the “Bloody Code” was in effect, and one could get “scragged” for stealing less than 10 modern dollars’ worth of goods, it was also a blackly humourous pun, as “pad” was Flash slang for “thief” or “robber.”

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is our main one-hour Sunday-night episode. Including, after the break, the "Sixpenny Spookies" segment. PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 31:00:01:20: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 32: Varney’s visitor at last arrives. Spurs clank as he walks into the room; he’s clearly come on horseback. Varney tells his visitor he dreads the visit because of the memory it evokes each year — a memory of something not spelled out, but we do learn that Varney was dead and now is alive once again. We also gather that the visitor holds some kind of awful power over Varney still. What could it be?20:20: BROADSIDE BALLAD: A possibly-true account of a young shepherd who, shortly before he was struck by lightning and killed, had some strange and spooky dreams.26:50: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: A strange chapel in Bremen, where centuries-old corpses are preternaturally preserved.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 31:20 — 1:15:00:31:40: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Wake Not the Dead, by Ernst Raupach; final part: Walter finds the sorcerer waiting for him. But the course he offers Walter as his last hope, is almost as horrible as being sucked to death by the vampire. Will he have the courage to do it? Will it even matter if he does?55:00: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: If you’re familiar with “The Invalid’s Story,” by Mark Twain, think that story, but with less stinky cheese and a more vocal corpse. Also, it’s a dog train rather than a railroad train. And … all right, all right, it’s a completely different story, but almost as much fun to read.1:12:45: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:COLLEGIATES: Prisoners in quod (gaol or prison). Not to be confused with ACADEMICIANS, which are brothel girls. BIRDS OF PREY: Lawyers. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. YARD OF WHITE TAPE: Large glass of white tape (gin). GOB-SLUICING DROPS: Beverage — your gob is your mouth. CAKES: Easy, stupid fellows. TOWN TABBIES: Dowagers of quality. RED WAISTCOAT: Uniform apparel of the Bow-street Runners, an early London police force replaced by the New Model Police (who dressed in blue rather than red) in 1839.GAMMONERS: Swindlers or bullshitters.ROMONERS: Gammoners who pretend to have occult powers.OLD ST. GILES: The most famous slum parish of London, also called "The Holy Land."RUM TE TUM WITH THE CHILL OFF: Most emphatically excellent.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is our hour-long Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode, the second of our two weekly shows. It comes in two parts, to-wit:PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 37:30:01:10: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A Horrid (but mercifully short) account of a London coachman who received a particularly unpleasant, and fatal, Christmas present from his cher-amie...02:50: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 74-75: Left alone in the shop, Johanna does a little light snooping. The parlour door she finds locked, of course. In a cupboard she finds a great assortment of sticks and umbrellas, along with a very fine sailor’s jacket, with what looks like a bloodstain around the breast. She nearly gets lost in maudlin lamentations over it, thinking it might be Mark’s. Then someone tries to enter the shop. She opens the door. It’s a messenger boy. He gives her a letter. …30:40: EXECUTION-DAY BROADSIDE: The Trial and Execution of MARTIN CLINCH & SAMUEL MACKLEY, for the Wicked Murder of Mr. Fryer, in Islington Fields, in 1797..34:45: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: Another story of a woman unsuccessfully hanged for stealing from a housemate, who had framed her for it after she refused to sleep with him … who woke up on the dissecting table. In this case, the surgeon did not re-murder her, though!PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 38:00 — 1:15:00:38:40: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 41-42: The highwaymen watch as the miser’s murderer makes his appearance. It turns out to be a servant of the miser who had earlier stolen his gold, but now, overhearing his master’s curses and pledge to hunt down and kill whoever stole his gold, decided he’d rather have a murder on his conscience than a Nemesis on his track, and let the old man have it right in the chest. Outraged, Turpin and King pounce upon him. Dick makes a noose, and they fit it under his armpits and hang him up under a tree for someone to find, and they head off back toward their horses. Then, abruptly, the murderer’s screams stop, as if silenced by the hand of death … what could have happened?1:01:20: A STREET-LIT STORY from an 1830s “broadside”: "The Female Sleep-walker,” a “catchpenny” story with a subtly sexual subtext.1:07:50: A RATHER NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONG: "The Frisky Country Lass,” which is one of those songs in which you figure out the dirty words by seeing what they rhyme with.1:11:55: A FEW MILDLY DIRTY JOKES from what passed in 1830 for a dirty joke book: "The Joke-Cracker."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:CAPTAIN LUSHINGTON: One who has alcoholically overindulged. OUT-AND-OUTER: A tip-topper or first-rater. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. BLUNT: Money, with the implication that there is a large amount of it. BOLT THE MOON: Fly by night. MOABITES: Bailiffs. PHILISTINES: Another word for Moabites. NUBBING COVES: Hangmen. There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 32:00:01:20: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 31: We open the scene on Sir Francis Varney is in his home. He is awaiting a visitor, whom he dreads. We learn from his nervous mutterings that this visit occurs once a year, at which the visitor exacts a price which Varney must pay “for that existence, which but for him had been long since terminated.” Who can this visitor be, who fills the fearsome and dreadful Varney the Vampyre with such terror and loathing?26:02: BROADSIDE BALLAD: A jocose street song about a silly prophecy that London would be hit with a tremendous earthquake.30:15: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: The story of a noble lion who, after running amok in Venice, treated a dropped baby with great care.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 32:45 — 1:09:45:33:00: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Wake Not the Dead, by Ernst Raupach, Part 3 of 4: In which:: Walter’s castle daily grows more empty and desolate, as everyone with children takes them away to save them from the vampire’s curse. All that remains are old people, whose tired blood Brunhilda considers unsuitable; and, of course, Walter’s two children. Walter, enthralled by her spell, doesn’t even notice. Brunhilda is like a magic sex robot — loving and passionate with him, cold and distant to everything else, but fueled by young blood, which she obtains by making herself charming to her victim before lulling him or her to sleep and draining from his or her young bosom the purple tide of life. She now sets out to charm and slake herself with Walter’s children….54:00: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: The story of a traveler who, murdered for the cash with which he was traveling, appeared in ghost form the following week to bring his murderer to justice.1:00:30: A BONUS GHOST STORY from the Terrific Register (1825): A legend of a ghostly character that appeared to Napoleon Bonaparte and foretold his fall.1:07:45: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:NATTY LADS: Young well-dressed pickpockets. LIVELY KIDDIES: Funny fellows. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. CLANKERS: Pewter drinking pots. ENGLISH BURGUNDY: Strong ale or barleywine. AUTEM BAWLERS: Preachers. BABES OF GRACE: Puritanical sanctimonious-looking persons, especially if they are drunk. Think of Mr. Lupin from Sweeney Todd. VADE MECUM: Latin for "hand book."There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

This is our main one-hour Sunday-night episode. Including, after the break, the "Sixpenny Spookies" segment.PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 37:40:01:10: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 29-30: Now we cut to a new scene, in a ruined abbey near Bannerworth Hall, in a dungeon-cell beneath which there is a man locked up, battered and dazed and bearing the marks of a desperate struggle. He is not identified, but it seems nearly certain that it’s Charles Holland. His two captors have come to his cell with a scroll and a pen, and they’re trying to get him to sign the scroll, but he’s still too dazed and concussed to do it. They give up for the time being and leave. — So … what’s the scroll? Who are the two captors? And is this Charles, imprisoned in the cell?(Here is a link to London pop historian Jenny Draper’s 40-minute YouTube video on the Dissolution of the Monasteries)30:20: BROADSIDE BALLAD: Another fictional cautionary tale for young Victorian women, warning them not to patronize fortune-tellers, or THIS could happen to YOU!34:10: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: What do you do when your doppleganger turns out to have committed a capital crime? If you’re smart, and you live in pre-Victorian Britain under the “bloody code,” you run. If you’re not smart, well, you do what this guy did ...PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 38:00 — 1:20:30:38:30: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: WAKE NOT THE DEAD, Part 2 of 4: Walter brings Brunhilda to the castle to accustom her to the the daylight. When finally she is ready, though, Walter reaches for her and she rebuffs him: She won’t be his concubine, she tells him; he must first get rid of his new wife. Well, of course, he does; and after that, can there be any barrier to Walter’s happiness? Well, yes … because now that Brunhilda is back at his side, the youths of his domain suddenly start wasting away, almost as if some night-stalking monster was sucking their blood from them …59:00: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: We finish the story of the many hauntings of Hinton Ampner, a great English country-house in Hampshire; recounted by a lady who lived there for seven years.1:18:10: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:• FAULKNERS: Acrobats. • DIMBER DAMBERS: Leaders of the canting crew. • KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. • CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). • CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. • OLD TOM: Top-shelf gin. • DANDIES: Fops, high-class airheads; Bertie Wooster types. • RATTLING GLOAKS: Simple-minded, easygoing fellows who like to talk. There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is our Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode, the second of our two weekly shows. It comes in two parts, to-wit:PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 45:30:01:00: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A priest is prosecuted for clobbering a parishioner with his umbrella after she converted to Protestantism (Dec. 11, 1852).03:10: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 70-71: Sir Richard leads the party to the captive cook’s bakehouse-prison so that they can witness his captivity, and also to exchange letters with him. The letters are orders for him to carry out in the role he is to play in bringing Mrs. Lovett to justice. Then Sir Richard tells the others there is something else he must show them … something, he adds, “more horrible than all the horrors your imagination can suggest.” … He's not kidding. 31:10: GRIM/DARK BROADSIDE: “Horrible Murder at Nantwich!” A brief story, and a lengthy poetical lament, about a drunken domestic quarrel that ended in murder.35:40: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: (With Illustration) A grisly account of the 25-year run of the “Monster of Scotland,” a highway robber and serial murderer who, with his equally criminal wife, moved into a secret cave on the remote coast of Scotland and lived on the flesh of the travellers they robbed. PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 46:00 — 1:21:30:46:30: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 38-39: Tom and Dick pass through the door, re-lock it, and bar it on the other side. Then they look around. It’s a strange room … and in the center of it, they find a piece of equipment that explains a good deal about why Mr. Waghorn didn’t want the officers to follow them into the basement … but for Dick and Tom, the more important question is, is there a way out? We shall see …1:07:05: SOME STREET POETRY from an 1830s “broadside”: “The Beggar-Girl” and “The Rose of Britain’s Isle.”1:11:30: A VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONG: "Beating an Attack; or, The Drummer in Arms in the Park” (about a young lady who conceived a passion for a well-dressed Army drummer, and their subsequent frolic in a secluded part of the park).1:16:50: A FEW MILDLY DIRTY JOKES from what passed in 1830 for a dirty joke book: "The Joke-Cracker."* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:PRIME COVES: Sporting men of the first order. FLY DOXIES: Dashing, possibly dangerous women. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. TO SPEND: To ejaculate. SWADDY: A soldier.SHERRY OFF: To run away at top speed. Adopted from the nautical term "to sheer off."FLATS: Suckers. FLY TO: Wised-up about, aware of.FAKEMENT: Plot or scheme.BUMS: Bailiffs.There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is our main one-hour Sunday-night episode. Including, after the break, the "Sixpenny Spookies" segment. COMING OUT A DAY EARLY!PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 32:00:02:50: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 28: Henry, the admiral and Mr. Marchdale follow the trail the Admiral saw Charles Holland follow when leaving the house, and on the other side of the fence there are the signs of a mighty struggle. Even Marchdale has to admit it’s clear Charles got waylaid. So, what is to be done?25:10: BROADSIDE CATCHPENNY: A little street humour: Milord came home and found milady in tears. Oh no! What could be the matter? If only he would stop wailing, gnashing his teeth, and long-windedly demanding to know what was wrong long enough for her to explain …29:00: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: He woke up from a terrible dream, that his cook was dead. Hurrying downstairs, he found her in the same clothes from his dream — a wedding dress! Meanwhile, outside, her boyfriend, the gardener, was digging a shallow grave in the petunia bed ….PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 32:30 — 1:15:45:32:45: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Wake Not the Dead, by Ernst Raupach, Part 1 of 4: The story opens on the scene of Walter, a powerful lord in Burgundy, sobbing over the grave of his first wife, the beautiful black-haired Brunhilda. Obviously delusional, he keeps begging her to wake up and “clasp him to her bosom,” if you know what he means. He does this night after night, until a sorcerer comes and tells him he can magically restore Brunhilda to life … but urges Walter not to do it. “Lasst die Todten ruhen,” he warns ominously. But Walter, of course, is in no condition to listen to reason …56:25: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: The many hauntings of Hinton Ampner, a great English country-house in Hampshire; recounted by a lady who lived there for seven years.1:11:15: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:• ACK PIRATES: Riverboat robbers. • BLACKLEGS: Fast-and-loose gambling men. • KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. • CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). • CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. • NIPPERKIN: Half-pint measure (two quarterns). Please note that I was just kidding, please do not drink a whole pint of gin while listening to the show today! • STARK NAKED: Strong gin, of the dry (non-cordial) type, taken neat. • RUM BEAKS: Bribe-able magistrates and law-enforcement officers. • LAMBSKIN COVES: Judges. • VADE MECUM: Latin for "hand book."There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 42:00:00:55: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: The account of a murderous attack made on a landlord’s steward made 174 years ago today.03:00: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 68-69: Late that evening, at St. Dunstan’s Church, four gentlemen arrive and let themselves in with a key. They are Sir Richard Blunt, with the senior churchwarden, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary’s assistant. They are soon joined by the Lord Mayor of London. They are there on an official visit to the vaults below St. Dunstan’s. Sir Richard has something he wants to show the others….28:45: A TRUE-CRIME BROADSIDE: “HORRID MURDER Committed by a Young Man on a Young Woman.” A “catchpenny” — that is, an article that claims to be true but probably isn’t.32:10: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: The story of the crime, sentencing and execution of the Earl of Ferrers for murdering a servant in cold blood in 1769.PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 42:30 — 1:23:45:43:00: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 36-37: Tom and Dick pass through the door, re-lock it, and bar it on the other side. Then they look around. It’s a strange room … and in the center of it, they find a piece of equipment that explains a good deal about why Mr. Waghorn didn’t want the officers to follow them into the basement … but for Dick and Tom, the more important question is, is there a way out? We shall see …1:08:45: SOME STREET POETRY from an 1830s “broadside.”1:12:55: TWO VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "The Pensioner” (about a gent whose ladyfriend brings home the bacon in the Oldest Professional way) and “The Upright” (“upright” was slang for “erection”).1:19:50: A FEW MILDLY DIRTY JOKES from what passed in 1830 for a dirty joke book: "The Joke-Cracker."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:• BOBTAIL: A naughty lady. • BON VIVANT: A choice spirit. • KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. • CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). • CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. • PENSIONER: A man who lives off the earnings of a prostitute.• DONE BROWN: Done to perfection, finished off very neatly.• BLOWEN: A prostitute, or at least a lady of very easy virtue.• BLUNT: Money, with the implication that there is plenty of it.• MEAT: Generic slang for naughtybits, especially ladies’. Also MUTTON.• ROOT: Penis.• TREE: Word-playing reference to a very large “root.”• COVES: Informal reference to men, like “dudes” in modern slang.• COME IT FLASH: Cut a flashy figure on the scene. • FANCY GAL: A hot, sexy-dressing blowen.• GAY: Sporty, possibly naughty.• SHERRY OFF: To run away at top speed. Adopted from the nautical term "to sheer off."• FLATS: Suckers. There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 35:00:01:05: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 27: Henry, the admiral and Mr. Marchdale present the three letters to Flora, anticipating she will be offended and angry with Charles for treating her so. Instead, they are surprised when she cries, “Where did you get these disgraceful forgeries? What has happened to Charles? Has someone waylaid him and murdered him?” … It’s a pretty good question, isn’t it?24:05: STREET BROADSIDE : A “catchpenny” broadside telling the story of the experiences of a man of the cloth who awakened in his coffin just before burial, with what you might call a “hellacious” story of his out-of-body adventures while dead.30:55: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: Tells of the almost miraculous rescue of a starving sailor stranded on his disabled ship.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 35:30 — 1:14:00:35:50: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Carmilla by J.S. Le Fanu, Part 9 of 9: An extraordinary-looking gnome-like man now makes an appearance. This is BARON VORDENBURG, who has committed his life to research of vampires in general and Countess Mircalla in particular. He traces a map in the chapel with the general, and they end up identifying a spot in the wall, where a tablet is uncovered with “Mircalla Countess Karnstein” carved upon it. The general is delighted, and says the Inquisition will be held the following morning. … It is done. Laura’s life is thereby saved. So … why does it feel so much like a bereavement to her?57:25: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: An account by Mrs. Alured Brooke of her experience when, staying in Wrotham House near Maidstone in Kent, she was visited three times by a ghostly man in a grey suit who sucked all the heat from the room. 1:10:25: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time!* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:• ACADEMICIANS: Bordello ladies. • AUTEM DIVERS: Pickpockets who work the crowd at religious gatherings. Also used to refer to churchwardens and overseers of the parish poorhouse. • KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. • CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). • CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. • YARD OF OLD TOM: Large serving of top-shelf gin. • FLICKER OF KILL-DEVIL: Glass of coarse, cheap gin or other spirit served raw and unaged, fresh from the still. • YELPERS: People who lament piteously over trifles. • CAKES: Silly fellows — cakes being made like them, of soft dough not over-well baked. There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is our hour-long Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode, the second of our two weekly shows. PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS”: (Horrid, as in “horror”!)01:00: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: An account of a 21-year-old man who stole jewels worth north of half a million modern pounds Sterling … and nearly got away with it! 04:03: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 66-67: Johanna and Arabella get ready to implement their plan. The decide she’ll go over and ask for the job in the morning. … Meanwhile, Todd is musing about the strange fact that his customers always come by twos. He jumps up. “Yes,” he says, “the game is up. I am watched. Off and away.” And then he starts packing up his plunder, preparatory to hopping the twig, leaving Fleet-street in a great blaze behind him … then someone enters the shop. It’s a customer! Todd darts behind him — and bolts the shop door.29:10: BROADSIDE: The Trials and Sentences of Prisoners at the Old Bailey in 1852 … including a lad who was put in the pillory for perjury after his testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.32:31: THE ‘REST OF THE STORY’ ABOUT THE MURDERING BURKERS: Trust me, it’s way more horrible than we realized when we read that Execution Broadside, two weeks ago!PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS”:This second segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter or two of Dick Turpin's adventures, along with all the more salacious, cheeky, and naughty elements of the week — INCLUDING ...44:08: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 34-35: Dick and Tom stop at the Samson and Lion and ask the ostler to look after their horses. He is very surly and insolent until they pay him some money, at which point he snaps into line. Dick does a little bragging about Black Bess, which he quickly realizes was a big mistake as it is no part of their plan to reveal who they are … how big a mistake it was, our lads will soon be finding out!1:08:15: SOME STREET POETRY from a broadside ballad: “The Archer-boy,” “Nan o’ the Valley,” “The Unkind Shepherdess,” and “I Love Thee Night and Day Love.”1:12:55: A VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONG: "THE WAGER; or, THE HOLY OLD MAID.” In which, we learn that Aunt Sally isn’t nearly so spinsterish as her neighbours think …1:17:20: A FEW SALTY AND SPICY JOKES from a somewhat edgy 1800s joke book: "The Joke-Cracker."*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:• CAPER MERCHANTS: Dancing teachers. • BITS O’ MUSLIN: Pretty girls. • KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. • CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). • CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. • FLATS: Suckers. • FLY TO: Wised-up about, aware of.• FAKEMENT: Plot or scheme.There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!03:20: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 26: Henry, the admiral and Mr. Marchdale present the three letters to Flora, anticipating she will be offended and angry with Charles for treating her so. Instead, they are surprised when she cries, “Where did you get these disgraceful forgeries? What has happened to Charles? Has someone waylaid him and murdered him?” … It’s a pretty good question, isn’t it?23:20: BROADSIDE BALLAD: A tale of four teen-age girls seized and carried away by His Satanic Majesty for visiting a fortune-teller’s shop. All maidens, beware! This could happen to YOU! An image of this broadside is in this episode’s notes at pennydread.com/discord28:00: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: A German anatomy professor saves the life of a specimen who, after being hanged for desertion, woke up in the dissecting-room.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 34:49—1:18:00:This second segment of the show brings you Victorian ghost stories, spooky street literature, and sundry other tidbits — INCLUDING ...35:12: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Carmilla by J.S. Le Fanu, Part 8 of 9: An extraordinary-looking gnome-like man now makes an appearance. This is BARON VORDENBURG, who has committed his life to research of vampires in general and Countess Mircalla in particular. He traces a map in the chapel with the general, and they end up identifying a spot in the wall, where a tablet is uncovered with “Mircalla Countess Karnstein” carved upon it. The general is delighted, and says the Inquisition will be held the following morning. … It is done. Laura’s life is thereby saved. So … why does it feel so much like a bereavement?56:27: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: The ghosts of Castle Glamis, in Angus, Scotland, according to the Earl of Strathmore and family. A photo of Glamis Castle is in this episode’s notes at pennydread.com/discord1:14:30: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:• WOOD PECKER: Joker, punster, and/or word-player. • SMASHING COVES: Housebreakers. • KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. • CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). • CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. • BRUSHER: Large, full glass. • LIGHT BLUE JACKY: Gin. You could also call it just-plain “light blue,” or just-plain “jacky,” and be perfectly understood. • TOWN TODDLERS: Marks or flats — naïve lads easily taken in by sharpers. • LAMBSKIN COVES: Judges. • VADE MECUM: Latin for "hand book."There are more! But we’re out of space here. A full glossary of all the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is a one-hour Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode! In two parts, to-wit:PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 38:00:This first segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter of Sweeney Todd, along with the more darksome, loathly, and horrifying tidbits of the week: Tales of horrid murders, public executions, disasters, brutal crimes, and similar rays of sunshine — INCLUDING ...01:05: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A tragic accident along the railway.02:40: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 64-65: Watson puts the bite on Todd for a little monthly help. Todd is going along with it, obviously working to get Watson to lower his guard so that he can kill his way out of the blackmail situation, when Watson says, “That boy used to say some odd things of you, Mr. Todd. … Have you, by any chance, heard anything more of him?” Then, in chapter 65: Sweeney Todd invites Peter Watson into his parlour for a glass of brandy and the full satisfaction of the blackmail touch. After a couple good tumblers-full, Todd goes behind Watson’s chair to get some biscuits. Sweeney Todd seems like a bad fellow to turn one’s back on … doesn’t he?34:30: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: The would-be murderer slipped into the rich guest’s room, knife in one hand and dark lantern in the other, to find … someone had already done him in!PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 38:20 — 1:13:30:This second segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter or two of Dick Turpin's adventures, along with all the more salacious, cheeky, and naughty elements of the week — INCLUDING ...38:48: HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN in BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD, Chapter 32-33: Ostler Alf’s Cunning Plan turns out to be to climb into the hayloft and come upon the officers from inside the house, knowing they’ll be watching at the door. As they are preparing their attack, the two highwaymen can hear the officers singing a merry song inside, obviously well on their way to a jolly evening involving lots of good things to drink. Moving during the choruses of the songs when all the officers are singing along, the highwaymen slip up and pounce….1:01:00: THREE VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "The Little Black (furry) Thing,” “The Mouse-trap,” and “With Mike Hunt I Have Travel’d All Over the Town.”1:10:50: A FEW SALTY AND SPICY JOKES from an 1804 joke book titled "The Joke-cracker."A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time!* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:BEAU TRAPS: Well-dressed swindlers, fortune hunters. ARCH DOXIES: Underworld ladies of high rank. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at ⁠https://pennydread.com/discord⁠ in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!This is our main one-hour Sunday-night episode. Including, after the break, the "Sixpenny Spookies" segment. The first segment of the Sunday show contains a chapter of Varney the Vampire, along with sundry other tidbits of early-Victorian street literature — INCLUDING ...01:06: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 25: Charles Holland consults his uncle and borrows 50 pounds, which he intends to place at Henry Bannerworth’s disposal to relieve his money woes. He asks the admiral if ever he has seen something so weird as this vampire business, and the admiral describes an encounter with a strange character at sea who appeared on his ship in defiance of the captain’s desires, seemed to command the weather, and vanished just before they arrived in port. We are left wondering, as the admiral obviously does, it that character might have been Sir Francis Varney himself …33:15: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: The curriculum vitae of a very interesting juvenile delinquent named Leary, whose exploits in theft, pickpocketing, and highway robbery have resulted in his being transported to Australia for life.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 0:38:10 — 1:09:30:This second segment of the show brings you Victorian ghost stories, spooky street literature, and sundry other tidbits — INCLUDING ...38:42: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Carmilla by J.S. Le Fanu, Part 7 of 9 (chapters 11 and 12): General Spielsdorf tells his story — a story of a strange noble lady in velvet who suddenly has to fly on a matter of life and death in her travelling-coach, leaving her beautiful dark-haired daughter Millarca in the care of the general and his young ward Bertha. The lady, the daughter, the travelling-coach — everything sounds so much like Carmilla’s story. Is it her? Or her twin sister? We will, hopefully, soon find out …58:05: A SHORT GHOST STORY from a street broadside of the type called a “catchpenny” — which claims to be a true story, but probably isn’t: The ghost of a murdered woman appears to a miller to demand he help bring her killer to justice.1:05:30: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time!* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:NABOBS: Swell coves who have made their fortunes abroad and returned home to Old Blighty to enjoy it. NATTY LADS: Good-looking young pickpockets. FLICKER: Drinking glass. EYE WATER: Gin — utility grade, not the good stuff. JOBBER KNOTS: Tall stupid fellows. BLUNDERBUSSES: Blustering ignorant fellows. KNIGHTS OF THE BRUSH AND MOON: Drunken fellows wandering amok in meadows and ditches, trying to stagger home. CORINTHIAN: A fancy toff or titled swell. Used here as a reference to Corinthian Tom, the quintessential Regency rake depicted in Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (usually referred to as "Tom and Jerry"). CHAFFING-CRIB: A room where drinking and bantering are going on. A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode is at https://pennydread.com/discord in the "#season-4-episodes" thread.

A one-hour Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode! In two parts, the first grim and dark, the second salty and spicy; to-wit:PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 34:50:This first segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter of Sweeney Todd, along with the more darksome, loathly, and horrifying tidbits of the week: Tales of horrid murders, public executions, disasters, brutal crimes, and similar rays of sunshine — INCLUDING ...01:40: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A tragic story of a young boy who was infected with rabies by a beloved neighborhood dog.04:45: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 62-63: As Johanna and Arabella walk home from the Temple-garden meeting, Johanna is in a maudlin mood and talking crazy about death and destiny and eternity. Arabella, a little alarmed, tries to settle her down by proposing a plan of action, to take her mind off things. Unfortunately, that plan is — for Johanna to dress in boys’ clothes and apply for the vacant job as a “pious boy” in Todd’s shop! Too late, she realizes what a terrible and dangerous idea this would be. But, can she unring that bell, now that Johanna has heard her idea? And will Johanna follow through with it? 24:25: BROADSIDE BALLAD: The story of the trial and execution of a gang of “burkers” for murdering a poor Italian boy to sell his corpse to the nearest medical college.PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 35:10 — 1:09:25:This second segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter or two of Dick Turpin's adventures, along with all the more salacious, cheeky, and naughty elements of the week — INCLUDING ...35:45: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 30-31: Arriving at the stable where Black Bess was lodged, Tom and Dick pay a street urchin to watch their horses for them, and creep toward the stable. Soon Dick spots the ostler, Alf, and calls him over. Alf confirms the five officers are all in the stable, along with Tom Davis, whom they have taken prisoner. Tom and Dick decide to make a frontal attack, thrash the officers, and make their escape with Tom. But, it’s two against five. Can they bring it off? Not to worry, Alf says — he’s got a Cunning Plan ….57:10: A FEW DIRTY JOKES from a salty joke book titled “The Joke-Cracker” (1803).1:00:10: TWO VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "The Slap-Up Blowing” (a celebration of a particularly amazing lady of the evening) and “Oh no, I never mention it” (a young man’s musical tribute to a particular but unnamed lady’s “naughty bits”)1:05:50: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time. (5:37 p.m. is Dick Turpin Scragging Hour: It's 17:37 in military time, and Dick Turpin — the historical figure — was hanged in 1737 A.D.)Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode at https://pennydread.com/discord .

Our main one-hour Sunday-night episode! This first segment of the Sunday show contains a chapter of Varney the Vampire, along with what we think of as the more humourous, melodramatic, and high-campy tidbits from this week’s explorations of early-Victorian street literature — INCLUDING ...02:02: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 24: Admiral Bell, back from his meeting with Varney, confesses his plot to take the heat off Charles by usurping his role as duellist. Then a note comes from Varney himself, inviting Charles to meet him at midnight in the garden, alone, to talk things over or, if he likes, fight. Charles looks forward to it. He takes leave of Flora — kisses her for the first time — but as he leaves her room, he is oppressed by a foreshadowing sense that he will not see her again for a long, long time, if ever …22:45: BROADSIDE BALLAD: The man who was hanged, who is still alive! This is an early-day form of clickbait, but it gave us a reason to look at failed hangings. Turns out several people, over the years, have survived being hanged.29:35: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: The ship was on fire! How to get the baby to safety? This mariner opted to tie the little tyke to the back of a sheep and let him ride the wooly beasty to shore … and it worked!33:00: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Carmilla by J.S. Le Fanu, Part 6: Unexpectedly (to Laura) the little doctor arrives at the schloss to examine her. Her father has sent for him without telling her. The doctor hears her story with increasingly evident alarm and horror; inspects her throat — finding a small blue speck on the skin where she recalls the twin-needle pain. The doctor and the father have a long, animated colloquy before he delivers his prescription: She is never to be allowed to be alone. Madame is charged with staying close by her at all times. Then, Laura’s father sets out for Castle Karnstein in the carriage, for a visit and picnic. They leave at noon, before Carmilla wakes up, and Mademoiselle is going to bring her along later. On the way they meet the bereaved General Spielsdorf, he who has dedicated his life to destroying a monster. He also is going to Karnstein … he says, to perform “a pious sacrilege here, which will relieve our earth of certain monsters”...51:27: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: An English family rents a gorgeous French house for cheap … then learns why it was so inexpensive! “Madame, monsieur; il y a un revenant ici!”1:06:20: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time. * The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode at https://pennydread.com/discord .

NOTE — for a glossary of "flash" terms used in this episode, see pennydread.com/discord. (Flash was the slang lingo used by the criminal underworld of the Regency and early Victorian period.)A one-hour Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode! In two parts, to-wit:PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 32:30:This first segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter of Sweeney Todd, along with the more darksome, loathly, and horrifying tidbits of the week: Tales of horrid murders, public executions, disasters, brutal crimes, and similar rays of sunshine — INCLUDING ...03:23: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A horrible mystery of the death of a boy abducted and murdered by persons unknown.06:55: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 61: Johanna and Arabella meet up with Colonel Jeffery in the Temple Garden and he tells them about Tobias’s adventures. Arabella seems to be meditating on something, hatching a scheme. What could it be? And will it lead to ruin? 25:29: BROADSIDE BALLAD: A celebration of the sentencing of Barney, the Oilman of Brick-lane, to three weeks in prison for severely beating his 11-year-old shopboy with a cane.29:07: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: A dreadful tale, purportedly true, of a bad seed who made a shocking deathbed confession.PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 32:40 — 1:14:20:This second segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter or two of Dick Turpin's adventures, along with all the more salacious, cheeky, and naughty elements of the week — INCLUDING ...33:10: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 27-30: Turpin and King return to the Hand and Keys. Davis still has not returned, and Dick is getting very worried. He decides to travel to London and investigate, and free Tom Davis from the clutches of the grabs if he’s been touched; King volunteers to come with him. On the way, they talk over plans to rescue Black Bess. Then, in Chapter 29 — Turpin and King, on their journey to London, decide to “do a little business” with the horseman who’s coming toward them, reasoning that it won’t delay them much and he might have a rich booty. Accordingly they give him the old “Stand and Deliver” line; whereupon he draws his sword and attacks. He ends up in a great sword fight with Tom King. Then he calls a halt and offers King his purse; but King declines it, as does Dick. Both agree he’s defended himself so valiantly and cleanly that he’s earned their respect and friendship, and they don’t rob friends. Then he introduces himself — and both are astonished when they learn who they just tried to rob!1:03:00: A FEW DIRTY JOKES from a collection from "The Chestnut Club," circa 1870.1:05:55: TWO VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "The Chickster to her Dab has Gone” and “O Saw You My Ass When ‘Twas Out on the Green.”1:11:10: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.

Our main one-hour Sunday-night episode! In two parts, to-wit:PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 32:00:This first segment of the Sunday show contains a chapter of Varney the Vampire, along with what we think of as the more humourous, melodramatic, and high-campy tidbits from this week’s explorations of early-Victorian street literature — INCLUDING ...01:37: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 23: Charles Holland consults with his uncle, the admiral. He has determined to challenge the vampire to a duel. He is a little surprised to find his uncle is enthusiastically supportive … suspiciously so. What scheme does the old admiral have in mind? And will it work, or is Charles doomed to fall beneath the fast-flickering blade of a vampire?29:30: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE: We take coroner’s inquests for granted in the case of sudden death, but did you ever wonder how they got started? It’s all to do with this one woman … and her six dead husbands.PART II: "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES," 32:00 — 1:02:00:This second segment of the show brings you Victorian ghost stories, spooky street literature, and sundry other tidbits — INCLUDING ...32:40: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, TO-WIT: Carmilla by J.S. Le Fanu, Part 5 of 9 (chapters 7 and 8): In Part Five, we see Laura sinking beneath the influence of a terrible Something, and becoming pale, languid and melancholy, like Carmilla. Then one night, she is awakened by the voice of her long-dead Hungarian mother warning her to beware of an assassin! Waking up in a fright, she runs to Carmilla’s room … and finds her gone! Where could she be? And why? 47:25: A SHORT GHOST STORY from the scrapbook of Charles Lindley, Viscount Halifax: An account written by Lord Halifax himself recounting his personal experience meeting the ghost of an Argyll harper who was hanged by Marquis Montrose’s men during the Scottish Civil War.59:20: A COUPLE SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time. (5:37 p.m. is Dick Turpin Scragging Hour: It's 17:37 in military time, and Dick Turpin — the historical figure — was hanged in 1737 A.D.)Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode at https://pennydread.com/discord .*The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.