CHAPTER XIV. -Crome yellow

In Chapter XIV of “Crome Yellow,” the story unfolds in the library of the house, described as the coolest place to be during the after-luncheon hours. This room, elegantly designed with white painted shelves from the eighteenth century, contains a secret door disguised as a bookshelf that leads to a cupboard housing the mummy-case of an Egyptian lady, an artifact brought back by the second Sir Ferdinando from the Grand Tour. Amidst the discussion, Mr. Scogan engages in a discourse on the contents of the faux bookshelf, humorously detailing titles that range from an Encyclopaedia in fourteen volumes to the “Tales of Knockespotch”, which he proclaims to be the most valuable in the collection. Despite their apparent worth, these books are revealed to be mere facades, serving as a doorway to the cupboard.

Mr. Scogan takes this moment to reflect on the nature of reading, likening it to a vice aimed at tickling the mind and avoiding serious thought. This sparks a conversation among the guests, including Mary, Denis, and Anne, where they explore the themes and descriptions of the mock books, each expressing preferences that reveal insights into their characters and views on literature. Mr. Scogan lauds the “Tales of Knockespotch,” criticizing Denis’s current literary endeavor for its focus on the mundane developments of life in modern settings, instead advocating for a more imaginative and readable approach to writing.

As the conversation shifts to Knockespotch’s larger impact on literature, Mr. Scogan explains how this fictional author revolutionized storytelling by rejecting the dull replicative nature of realistic novels in favor of crafting fabulous characters and adventures that transcend the limitations of civilized life. Through this discussion, “Crome Yellow” explores themes of intellectual satire, the value and nature of literary creation, and the search for meaning beyond the superficial constraints of societal norms, all while maintaining a light-hearted and whimsically critical tone toward contemporary literary practices and the pursuit of knowledge.