This story was salvaged from a live reading on YouTube. I haven't previously issued this on Patreon or Substack.
H. B. Marriott-Watson (1863-1921) was an English poet, novelist, and literary critic. He was born in London and educated at Oxford University. He began his career as a journalist, writing for various newspapers and magazines, including the Pall Mall Gazette and the Saturday Review.
Marriott-Watson's first published work was a collection of poems titled "The Flute of Pan" (1887). He went on to publish several more volumes of poetry, including "The Sirens' Song" (1892) and "The Unknown God" (1895). His poetry was known for its romantic and mystical themes, and was often compared to the work of Algernon Charles Swinburne.
In addition to his poetry, Marriott-Watson also wrote several novels, including "The House of the Wolf" (1890) and "The Devil-Tree of El Dorado" (1897). His novels were often set in exotic locations and explored themes of love, betrayal, and the supernatural.
Marriott-Watson was also a prolific literary critic, writing reviews and essays for various publications. He was a strong advocate for the Symbolist movement in literature, and was a friend and supporter of writers such as Arthur Symons and Ernest Dowson.
Despite his literary success, Marriott-Watson struggled with financial difficulties throughout his life. He died in poverty in 1921, but his work continued to be admired by fellow writers and critics. Today, he is remembered as a talented poet and novelist of the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras
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The Devil of the Marsh by H B Marriott-Watson