Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author's brain, their soul and heart. A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted 'Top Tens' across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?

The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.

Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

The final decade of the Century. Britain sits astride the world, her majesty and pomp everywhere. Her industrial might and military muscle the enforcers of her Imperial will. Her authors too have talents that are the envy of all. Mass market publishing are delivering these sparkling pieces to hungry senses everywhere. Genius is written in their names.

1 - The Top 10 - The British - The 1890's - An Introduction

2 - The Fiddler of the Reels by Thomas Hardy

3 - The Magic Shop by H G Wells

4 - The Mark of the Beast by Rudyard Kipling

5 - Lost Hearts by M R James

6 - From the Dead by Edith Nesbit

7 - The Story of B 24 by Arthur Conan Doyle

8 - The Inconsiderate Waiter by J M Barrie

9 - N by Arthur Machen

10 - Passed by Charlotte Mew

11 - A Letter Home by Arnold Bennett