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Phantasmagoria
Mathematician and author Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson, best known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), has delighted millions with his most widely regarded book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Known for pointing out the absurdities of life in his fiction and poetry, Carroll took paranormal belief to the extreme in the satirical poem Phantasmagoria, the humorous story of an annoying ghost that is assigned to haunt a new house. While the owner wishes the ghost would simply leave, the ghost politely informs the man of the many types of specters and their duties, which include scaring people, making them ill, and causing mysterious disturbances. This volume, beautifully illustrated by Arthur B. Frost, is the only edition of Phantasmagoria in print outside of Carroll anthologies.
73 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1869
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About the author
Lewis Carroll
6,147 books8,415 followersThe Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer.
His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 29, 2023
Funny little narrative poem :)
November 28, 2019
Most comical ghost story I've come across! MUST READ!
.
.
One winter night, at half-past nine,
Cold, tired, and cross, and muddy,
I had come home, too late to dine,
And supper, with cigars and wine,
Was waiting in the study.
There was a strangeness in the room,
And Something white and wavy
Was standing near me in the gloom—
I took it for the carpet-broom
Left by that careless slavey.
But presently the Thing began
To shiver and to sneeze:
On which I said “Come, come, my man!
That’s a most inconsiderate plan.
Less noise there, if you please!”
“I’ve caught a cold,” the Thing replies,
“Out there upon the landing.”
I turned to look in some surprise,
And there, before my very eyes,
A little Ghost was standing!
He trembled when he caught my eye,
And got behind a chair.
“How came you here,” I said, “and why?
I never saw a thing so shy.
Come out! Don’t shiver there!”
He said “I’d gladly tell you how,
And also tell you why;
But” (here he gave a little bow)
“You’re in so bad a temper now,
You’d think it all a lie.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“A Spectre has first choice, by right,
In filling up a vacancy;
Then Phantom, Goblin, Elf, and Sprite—
If all these fail them, they invite
The nicest Ghoul that they can see.
“The Spectres said the place was low,
And that you kept bad wine:
So, as a Phantom had to go,
And I was first, of course, you know,
I couldn’t well decline.”
“No doubt,” said I, “they settled who
Was fittest to be sent
Yet still to choose a brat like you,
To haunt a man of forty-two,
Was no great compliment!”
“I’m not so young, Sir,” he replied,
“As you might think. The fact is,
In caverns by the water-side,
And other places that I’ve tried,
I’ve had a lot of practice:
“But I have never taken yet
A strict domestic part,
And in my flurry I forget
The Five Good Rules of Etiquette
We have to know by heart.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“At least,” I said, “I’m glad to find
A Ghost is not a dumb thing!
But pray sit down: you’ll feel inclined
(If, like myself, you have not dined)
To take a snack of something:
“Though, certainly, you don’t appear
A thing to offer food to!
And then I shall be glad to hear—
If you will say them loud and clear—
The Rules that you allude to.”
“Thanks! You shall hear them by and by.
This is a piece of luck!”
“What may I offer you?” said I.
“Well, since you are so kind, I’ll try
A little bit of duck.
“One slice! And may I ask you for
Another drop of gravy?”
I sat and looked at him in awe,
For certainly I never saw
A thing so white and wavy.
And still he seemed to grow more white,
More vapoury, and wavier—
Seen in the dim and flickering light,
As he proceeded to recite
His “Maxims of Behaviour.”
.
.
One winter night, at half-past nine,
Cold, tired, and cross, and muddy,
I had come home, too late to dine,
And supper, with cigars and wine,
Was waiting in the study.
There was a strangeness in the room,
And Something white and wavy
Was standing near me in the gloom—
I took it for the carpet-broom
Left by that careless slavey.
But presently the Thing began
To shiver and to sneeze:
On which I said “Come, come, my man!
That’s a most inconsiderate plan.
Less noise there, if you please!”
“I’ve caught a cold,” the Thing replies,
“Out there upon the landing.”
I turned to look in some surprise,
And there, before my very eyes,
A little Ghost was standing!
He trembled when he caught my eye,
And got behind a chair.
“How came you here,” I said, “and why?
I never saw a thing so shy.
Come out! Don’t shiver there!”
He said “I’d gladly tell you how,
And also tell you why;
But” (here he gave a little bow)
“You’re in so bad a temper now,
You’d think it all a lie.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“A Spectre has first choice, by right,
In filling up a vacancy;
Then Phantom, Goblin, Elf, and Sprite—
If all these fail them, they invite
The nicest Ghoul that they can see.
“The Spectres said the place was low,
And that you kept bad wine:
So, as a Phantom had to go,
And I was first, of course, you know,
I couldn’t well decline.”
“No doubt,” said I, “they settled who
Was fittest to be sent
Yet still to choose a brat like you,
To haunt a man of forty-two,
Was no great compliment!”
“I’m not so young, Sir,” he replied,
“As you might think. The fact is,
In caverns by the water-side,
And other places that I’ve tried,
I’ve had a lot of practice:
“But I have never taken yet
A strict domestic part,
And in my flurry I forget
The Five Good Rules of Etiquette
We have to know by heart.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“At least,” I said, “I’m glad to find
A Ghost is not a dumb thing!
But pray sit down: you’ll feel inclined
(If, like myself, you have not dined)
To take a snack of something:
“Though, certainly, you don’t appear
A thing to offer food to!
And then I shall be glad to hear—
If you will say them loud and clear—
The Rules that you allude to.”
“Thanks! You shall hear them by and by.
This is a piece of luck!”
“What may I offer you?” said I.
“Well, since you are so kind, I’ll try
A little bit of duck.
“One slice! And may I ask you for
Another drop of gravy?”
I sat and looked at him in awe,
For certainly I never saw
A thing so white and wavy.
And still he seemed to grow more white,
More vapoury, and wavier—
Seen in the dim and flickering light,
As he proceeded to recite
His “Maxims of Behaviour.”
May 11, 2017
This was a very creepy and ghostly poem.
October 22, 2020
Падате ли си по фантасмагориите на Луис Карол? Е, тогава едва ли бихте искали да пропуснете и тази „Фантасмагория” – остроумна поема в седем „песни”, издадена за първи път преди леко над 150 години. Изпълнена с шеговити намигвания към викторианските нрави и типичните за епохата истории за духове и призраци, „Фантасмагория” е преведена на български от Теменуга Маринова и умело илюстрирана от художничката Теменуга Станчева. Изданието на PiBooks ще зарадва ценителите на любопитните литературни находки. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
July 8, 2008
A sad little tale about a ghost who accidentally haunts the wrong house. Clever and delightful
June 28, 2020
I really loved this poem!!
October 15, 2019
A M E I
É melancólico, envolvente e simples, me deu mais fome de leituras como essa.
É melancólico, envolvente e simples, me deu mais fome de leituras como essa.
Read
May 5, 2023"Главно действащо лице в поемата е един не толкова страшен, колкото чудат призрак. Веднъж изпратен в къщата на стареца Тибетс, на призрака не му остава нищо друго, освен да всява страх. Страховсяващите му умения обаче не успяват да трогнат самотния мъж и клетият дух е принуден да смени подхода. Вместо да плаши, той решава да разкаже малко повече за своя безплътен свят."
С привиденията определено не си говорим на един език, но ето какво все пак успях да разбера: https://www.detskiknigi.com/luis-karo...
С привиденията определено не си говорим на един език, но ето какво все пак успях да разбера: https://www.detskiknigi.com/luis-karo...
December 6, 2025
What a wonderful little story. The illustrations by Arthur B. Frost are grand, and the poetry was enjoyable.
November 23, 2024
A lightsome bit of poetry with some bad puns.
Currently reading
June 12, 2012Carroll, Lewis
The Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll
In compilation only.
The Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll
In compilation only.
Read
September 11, 2012i like some parts more than others.
September 2, 2018
4 out of 5
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews