J. C. Powys' Autobiography: A Reader's Companion - Site POWYS

26 Autobiography
Ken (q.v.), in the first edition of 1700. Later
versions began: “All praise to Thee ...”
Gloucester Hotel (263, 646) — One of the
fashionable Weymouth hotels in JCP’s time, also
with its “bus”. (cf. “Burdon Hotel”). It was first
the residence of the Duke of Gloucester, George
III's brother, in the eighteenth century.
gnostic heresies (282), Gnostic Heretics
(285) — The Gnostics were a religious sect
concerned with separating itself from the rest of
the world. Gnosticism had connections with
Neoplatonism and was at first tolerated by
Christianity, but was later condemned as
heretical. Marcion (q.v.) was a notable Gnostic
leader. NB: At 282 “gnostic” should be
capitalized.
“Go, go, you’re bit” (304) — From the final line of
Jonathan Swift’s “The Day of Judgement,” also
quoted in One Hundred Best Books (41).
“go inching along ... Jesus to come!” (508; cf.
539) — From a Gospel song: “Keep inching along
like the poor inch worm; Jesus will come by-andby.”
NB: “pore” is probably JCP’s representation
of “Americanized African” pronunciation.
“God-den” (322) — A common rustic greeting, a
slurring of “good evening,” often occurring in
Shakespearean comedy.
Goethe (9, 106, 170, 180, 181, 200, 263, 285, 286, 294,
329, 398, 403, 404, 412, 431, 432, 446, 469, 533, 568,
626, 649; cf. 409) — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(1749–1832), German author, philosopher,
scientist, etc., best known for Faust. His “travel
sketches” (170; cf. 294, 403) are Die Italienische
Reise (Italian Journey), written 1814–6. For the
entry at 286, see under “Mothers.” Peter Foss
points out (89) that Goethe’s autobiography
Dichtung und Wahrheit is “an unacknowledged
precursor” of Autobiography. JCP writes about
him in both Visions and Revisions and The
Pleasures of Literature, and lists Faust, Wilhelm
Meister, and Goethe’s Conversations with
Eckerman [sic] in One Hundred Best Books (23).
So, “Goethean” (182, 314, 325, 501, 568). See also
“Conversations with Eckermann” (above) and
Elmar Schenkel’s informative article, “La verité
des phénomènes” in La lettre powysienne 3
(printemps 2003), 6 (in French and English).
Gog and Magog hills (183) — More often,
“Gogmagog Hills,” a range of low hills close to
Cambridge named after two legendary giants. JCP
later used the names for those of the children of
Lot-el-Azziz in Porius.
Gogol (567) — Nikolay Gogol (1809–1852), Russian
writer best known for his novel Dead Souls (1842)
and his novella Taras Bulba (1835).
Golden Bough, The (134) — The great
anthropological work by Sir James Frazer
(1854–1941), first published in 1890 and
subsequently expanded.
“golden thigh” (337) — Traditionally, Pythagoras
(q.v.) was said to have a golden thigh.
Gooch, G. P. (179–81, 185, 186, 193, 200, 201, 210,
232, 349, 458, 501) — George Peabody Gooch
(1873–1968), English writer on politics and history.
Gooden, Squire (134) — A misspelling of
Goodden, one of the local squires of the area.
One of the family was C. F. Powys’s predecessor
as Vicar of Montacute. His son, Wyndham
Goodden, a doctor and photographer, illustrated
Llewelyn’s Dorset Essays, dedicated to their
respective fathers, C.F. Powys and C.C. Goodden,
and Somerset Essays.
“goodwill towards men” (339) — Luke 2:14. Also
quoted in Owen Glendower (197) and Mortal
Strife (146).
Gorgonian (576) — Relating to the Gorgons,
serpent-headed female monsters in Classical
mythology.
Gorki (457, 575) — Maxim Gorki (1868–1936),
Russian author best known for his play The Lower
Depths (1903).
“gorze” (52) — JCP’s own “misnomer” for gorse,
perhaps a confusion with “furze,” also appearing
in Owen Glendower (211, 213, etc.).
Gould, Mr. (456) — Symon Gould (often spelt
“Simon” by JCP) was associated with the
American Library Service and is mentioned on
various occasions in the Letters to Llewelyn. He
also appears to have been associated with G.
Arnold Shaw’s ventures.
“governante” (458) — In fact, “gouvernante,”
housekeeper, governess, companion (French).
Gower (205) — John Gower (c.1330–1408), Middle
English poet, contemporary of Chaucer, known as
“moral Gower,” best-known for Confessio
Amantis (1390).
Grail (283, 285, 310, 379, 532) — A sacred object
with miraculous powers. In Christian literature,
the Holy Grail contained a Christian mystery; a
heathen Grail, derived from Welsh mythology,
was often a cauldron or food-producing object.
gran rifiuto (204) — Great refusal (Italian). From
Dante’s Inferno (Canto 3, l.60), also quoted (“Il
gran rifiuto”) in Weymouth Sands (449).
Grand Inquisitor (80) — Possibly a reference to
the head of the Spanish Inquisition, but more
likely an allusion to the character in Dostoievsky’s
The Brothers Karamazov (Part 2, book 5, ch.5).
“grand villa” (571) — Rothesay House (q.v.).
grandfather (43) — See “Canon, the.”
“Grant, we beseech ... quiet mind” (320) — From
the Anglican Prayer-Book.
Grantchester (183) — Village near Cambridge,
immortalized by Rupert Brooke in his poem “The
Old Vicarage, Grantchester,” written between