In which we are gently introduced to the elusive and sprawling nature of the English novel, guided by the scholarly spirit of William George Clark, and invited to envision novelists from varied ages creating side by side in a timeless circular room. With a playful yet earnest tone, the lecture eschews strict chronology and embraces a human, affectionate approach to criticism, outlining seven key aspects—Story, People, Plot, Fantasy, Prophecy, Pattern, and Rhythm—through which to explore the novel’s rich diversity.