Posted by Robert Thompson on 1/04/100 from 212.229.58.245 via proxy finch-01.www-cache.demon.co.uk:
In Reply to: Re: Happy Holidays from TARSUS posted by John O'Flynn on December 29, 1999 at 14:58:15:
>can someone tell em whether AR uses the word "Christmas" anywhere in WH or "Easter" in CC, or any other Christian word or reference anywhere in the S&A series?
The word "Christmas" appears in WH Chapter 3 - Susan explains why the Swallows are "staying at Holly Howe ever since Christmas".
>I don't think we even glimpse a distant steeple, much less the smiling face of a vicar.
Not a steeple, perhaps, but a tower - CC page 269 (Cape edition) in the illustration "Shopping in Beccles". There's a parson, not smiling, though, in BS Chapter 19. A vicar is mentioned in SD, poor chap, he's about to receive a vist from the Great Aunt who has heard that he has made some changes! The word "vicar" therefore suggests Church of England.
>Does anyone have a copy of Brogan handy to do a quick check on AR's views on or experiences with religion?
Both Brogan and the Autobiography mention Ransome's Sunday pilgrimages to different places of worship before giving up altogether in favour of long walks! (Brogan p25, Autobiography p64).
Spade-work for other people - no problem, but why should religion have an"ugly head"? Perhaps better not answer that, otherwise we'll be off topic before you can say "Barbequed Bishops".