MDMD(1): Plot Summary

[andrew at cee.hw.ac.uk]

Sorry, foax, gave the wrong title for the plot summary post. here it
is again, just for the record.

MDMD(1) Plot Summary

Chapter 1: In which the scene is set as the enclosing narrative and
its narrator are introduced by our Narrator,-- the former a C18th gent
by the name of Revd Wicks Cherrycoke, the latter also, evidently, a
C17th gent, if one is to judge by style, spelling and puncktuation.
The action is located in Philadelphia, Advent 1786, an afternoon in
the house of Mr Wade LeSpark, the junior members of which are in the
habit of gathering in a back room to listen to the Revd's tales. The
twins, Pliny and Pitt, and their elder sister Tenebrae are introduced
and Wicks' status, on sufferance as court entertainer, established.
Wicks commences the tale of Mason & Dixon's arrival at the westernmost
end of their eponymous line in 1766 only to break off and explain the
roots of his own Odyssey, sent abroad in 1761 in disgrace due to his
youthful political activity, which journey we later learn is initiated
at the same time as Mason & Dixon's own travels begin on HMS Seahorse.

Chapter 2: The Revd Wicks' story begins for real with a further
confusion of levels, relaying the contents of the letters exchanged by
way of opening salvo between Mason & Dixon. Dixon introduces himself
as Mason's elected partner on their trip to observe the Transit of
Venus in Sumatra. Mason, in Greenwich, posts a reply to Dixon in
Bishop Auckland, down-playing the glowing opinions Dixon offers as to
Mason's merits as an Astronomer. A commentary located between the
letters establishes that the time frame of the chapter is several
months after the exchange once they are better acquainted - which
presumably locates them either in Portsmouth awaiting ship or else on
board the Seahorse,-- with the letters presented not as artifacts
employed within the framework of the narrative but as exhibits to
explain the events narrated, viz: Dixon confesses that his praise was
painfully constructed flattery and Mason reveals and regrets Dixon's
success. It is not apparent that Wicks is present at the scene.

Chapter 3: Wicks reveals that he has reconstructed the previous scene
and we return to Mason & Dixon in a pub in Portsmouth, probably in
December 1760 or early January 1761. Mason discusses the hangings in
London, revealing his gloomy, spiritual obsessions, whilst Dixon
displays his earthy humour. Appearances and backgrounds are
established to add to character and the overall impression is one of
differences, opposite polarities, on all counts. The Learned English
Dog appears, sings a song and arranges a rendezvous which Mason &
Dixon keep. The crew of the Seahorse arrive, fail to steal the LED
and, avoiding a crowd of dandies, retire to a local pub, the Pearl of
Sumatra. The LED leads Mason & Dixon to dark Hpsie, the Pythoness of
the Point.  Mason's obsession is revealed to be based on the (life
after) death of his wife, deceased 2 years before in February
1759. The Pythoness warns against their setting sail on Friday, the
day of Christ's crucifixion. Dixon remarks that it is also he day
allocated to Venus which, given their purpose of observing her
transit, he takes as a good omen.  The Seahorse sails on Friday 9th
January 1761.

Chapter 4: Cousin Ethelmer is introduced, as is Mr Wade LeSpark's
trade in weapons and Ethelmer's confused opinions on the
matter. Tenebrae's interest in Ethelmer is noted. We return to Mason &
Dixon, in Portsmouth some time before setting sail, arguing with
Captain Smith via the Admiralty and the Royal Society the terms of
their passage on the Seahorse. On 8th December it is revealed that the
French hold Bencoolen in Sumatra, their intended destination, and Capt
Smith suggests they will only proceed to the Cape of Good Hope. We
switch scene to the passage of the ship down the Channel as its (few)
merits are discussed. The French ship l'Grand under its Captain St
Foux approaches, delivers several broadsides and departs after
signalling that `France is not at war with the sciences'. Mason &
Dixon, who have been doing what little can to help out in the Sick
bay, proceed to get drunk and raise paranoid speculations as to why
they were sent on their mission unprotected.