AustLit

The son of a grocer in a small English village is apprenticed to an undertaker when he shows his fascination for the trade. His first official task is the funeral of the housekeeper's daughter at the local hall - and he discovers that it is in fact the daughter of the mistress of the hall because he has known her as a child. Her mother attempts to hide her death because she loses the title to the hall when her daughter dies. Interesting, especially for the boy's fascination with the paraphernalia of death. W.W's quirky mind at it again! (PB)

A new journalist on a Western US journal shows his eagerness and unsuitability for the managing editor's position. (PB)

A jealous wife pays a young woman £1000 to marry her husband's newphew when she is convinced her husband is carrying on an affair with her - because she has seen a man wearing her husband's distinctive claret-coloured coat meet the woman three evenings in a row. General mirth follows when it is revealed the newphew borrowed his uncle's coat. Amusing. (PB)

English pious romance. In London's East End a sickly young woman loses her job as a factory machinist and is driven to desperation. A young boy she has befriended - an orphan acrobat - finds her on the edge of death and brings his new friend, a doctor, to treat her. The doctor is her fiancee from the days when she was wealthy ... Interesting glimpses of a 'working life', overshadowed by piety and sentiment; competent. (PB)

A child meets an angel grieving for men dying with stained souls, but the angel smiles when she comes to claim the child's soul in death - spotless. Pious piece. (PB)

Two earnest foreign travellers in Russia are given a rare glimpse of a Siberian mine where political prisoners are condemned to work every day in the foulest dankest conditions. Palpable horror. (PB)

The imperturbability and self-respect of a rich Quaker Widow 'graced' with a visit from Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. (PB)

English romance of a governess and the handsome Captain Bertram - returned from India to spend time with his cousins at their country estate. Saved from absolute predictability by the waspish and beautiful Clara Ashley, and the discovery that the governess and the captain have been secretly married for nine years ... Pleasant; unlikely. (PB)

A US frontier preacher begins his life's work at the graveside of an infant. Sentimental. (PB)

Story of a Frenchman's revenge oath. An English ship's captain succeeds in reconciling his brave ship's carpenter, a Frenchman, with his sister who ran away to marry an English captain on the eve of her wedding to another. Set in Cardiff; aboard ship; and in France. Slight. (PB)

A painting trip to Capri introduces the artist/narrator to a handsome young couple, foster-brother and sister, smugglers, and about to be married. A sudden storm kills the youth and his beloved is found dead on his grave the day after his funeral. Simple, somewhat sentimental tale. (PB)

Humorous anecdote of a church-going minister's dog at Cape Cod. (PB)

Dramatised account of the bravery of a London servant, Alice Ayers, in rescuing her charges from the fire consuming their home - at the cost of her own life. Moral of the bravery and self-sacrifice of ordinary life. (PB)

Tale begins in Ireland with the separation of Lord and Lady Mount-Joyce and centuries later in Ireland where the narrator, son of the lawyer who arranged the separation, has gone for colonial experience. His encoutners with the unfeeling Widow Blake and her beautiful daughter, the unexpected arrival of his father and Lord Mount-Joyce, a false cheque, a reunion of father and daughter, madness and a midnight and fire follow. (PB)

An inquisitive student nearly becomes a victim of the guillotine at Madame Tussaud's. (PB)

A young boy joins a Canadian army party travelling north in 1884 to put down an Indian insurrection. His devotion to Captain Acres causes him to be kidnapped by Indians and - nearly at the cost of his own life - he saves the army camp from being blown up. The captain's kindness to his sick mother years before explains his devotion. Tale of adventure and love between men. (PB)

The advice of a worldly Questions Answered newspaper man to a young woman, a Sunday school teacher, asking his advice on which young man she should marry. Cynical humour. (PB)

An elderly husband's concern at the loss of his wife overboard is due to the purse she carries. Humour (!) (PB)