Read "Dreads and Drolls" by Arthur Machen online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
When Thomas Pinch and his sister Ruth, having accomplished their unpleasant discussion with the brass-and-copper founder of Camberwell, went into the wild of London to look for lodgings, Tom suggested Islington as a promising quarter for their search. It is needless to say that Tom knew nothing whatever about Islington--or any other part of London. But an old phrase was in his mind, and it tempted him.
-"It used to be called Merry Islington, once upon a time," said Tom. "Perhaps it's merry now; if so, it's all the better. Eh?"