Dr D J Henry, Nottingham

Patrick O'Brian has come to be  widely regarded as one of  the greatest historical novelists in the English language.

This small extract , which demonstrates his characteristic, engaging style, is from Post Captain, the second of his remarkable series of novels  set in the early nineteenth century, which  follow the exploits of two memorable characters, Jack Aubrey, a naval officer and his close friend Stephen Maturin, a physician, ship's surgeon, naturalist and intelligence agent.

The 21 novels have a select but devout following throughout the world, as may be seen by the numerous references posted on the Web.

Wandering out he came to the back of the chapel; an organ was playing inside, a sweet, light-footed organ hunting a fugue through its charming complexities. He circled the railings to come to the door, but he had scarcely found it, opened it and settled himself in a pew before the whole elaborate structure collapsed in a dying wheeze and a thick boy crept from a hole under the loft and clashed down the aisle, whistling. It was a strong disappointment, the sudden breaking of a delightful tension, like being dismasted under full sail.

"What a disappointment, sir," he said to the organist, who had emerged into the dim light. "I had hoped you would bring it to a close."

"Alas, I have no wind," said the organist, an elderly parson. "That chuff  lad has blown his hour, and no power on earth will keep him in. But I am glad you liked the organ - it is a Father Smith. A musician, sir?"

"Oh the merest dilettante, sir; but I should be happy to blow for you, if you choose to go on. It would be a sad shame to leave Handel up in the air for want of wind"

"Should you indeed? You are very good, sir. Let me show you the handle - you understand these things, I am sure. I must hurry to the loft, or these young people will be here. I have a marriage very soon"

So Jack pumped and the music wound away and away, the separate strands following one another in baroque flights and twirls until at last they came together and ran to the final magnificence, astonishing the young couple who had come silently in, and who were sitting furtive, embarrassed, nervous and intensely clean in the shadows with their landlady and a midwife; for they had not paid for the music - only the simplest ceremony. They were absurdly young, pretty creatures, with little more than a gasp between them; and they had anticipated the rites by a hairsbreadth under full term. But the parson joined them very gravely, telling them that the purpose of their union was the getting of children, and that it was better to marry than to burn

Having re-read the books  for the umpteenth time I still find passages to delight and amuse  and I am amazed at their erudition, subtle humour  and  immense charm.

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