'We had, at home, a huge Family Bible -one of the brass-bound sort -with fine fat type and hundreds of illustrations. It was always safe to leave me with this Bible lying on my belly on the hearthrug before the fire -while my mother went out somewhere with my sisters. They would find me even three hours later just where and as I had been left. That Bible with its illustrations by Gustave Dore and Felix Philipotteaux, was a joy and a solace for years. Especially the battle-pictures and those of storm and wreck. There was one of Joshua's army storming a hill fortress -with the great iron-studded door crashing down before the onrush of mighty men with huge-headed axes -that never failed to thrill...'