AustLit

English racing tale of a jockey who wins the Derby for his noble and considerate employer even though he knows his child is lying dead from a railway acccident. Only on his return home does he discover it was a plot to make him lose the race. (PB)

English romance set in London and a country house. Pretty and determinedly single Nina Ferrars is abducted one night in Savoy street by an apparent madman who mistakes her for his runaway wife. She escapes by humouring him but finds him attractive to memory. Two years later they meet again, he a widower and all is explained - they becoming platonic friends and she helping lift his melancholy. Romance and marriage eventually follow. Light tale; absorbing in parts - particularly the depiction of his madness; tone engaging. (PB)

Evocative description of the old age and eventual death in the Central Australian bush of King Charlie, cast off at last from his tribe and cared for by whites and his dogs. The old man's character and the affection in which he was held are prominent, as are loving descriptions of the bush. Still dismissive of Aboriginal ways and their prospects of long-term survival, and promoting white point of view, but humanely compassionate too. (PB)

On the necessity of faith to true love, and the intrusion of jealousy and doubt. (PB)

English racing tale. A nobleman's horse trainer and jockey concocts a scheme to frighten his employer into eschewing gambling. Includes training, betting, and a race ... Light. (NB, the 'equality' of the racing arena.) (PB)

Brush with near death in a cathedral. Tale of a night locked in the housing of a cathedral's clock mechanism and the narrator's narrow escape from death. Probably English. Evocative description of waiting for inevitable death. (PB)

Humorous English gambling tale. A telegram from Captain Parke in Monte Carlo is misunderstood by the bank which pays out 20 times the amount cabled to his wife - who then places it on a Derby horse, as legal advice suggest. (PB)

English bachelor's tale of his infatuation with a widow in Paris, his assiduous care of her during a ten day voyage to the USA, and his disillusionment when she is met by a handsome husband. Light. (PB)

An artist tests the hospitality of his Paris hosts. (PB)

A visitor to the Smeaton's station in rural Victoria, Mr. Eyton, hears from Mrs Smeaton the tale of Mr. Smeaton's first wife and her wild-living daughter who had been disinherited in favour of Mr Smeaton - who had subsequently left all his money to his second wife, Mrs Smeaton, his former house-keeper. A threatning midnight visit from his first wife's daughter induces Mr. Smeaton to change his will - but then he is murdered before he can change it again. Mrs. Smeaton is arrested but Melbourne detective Lanigan reveals Mr. Eyton to be the daughter in male disguise. Strychnine aplenty. (PB)

Gambling tale of the English race. A penniless gambler, given a sure tip, purloins his unhelpful cousin's letter of introduction to a commission august and wins £20 000. His dishonesty is discovered, however, and he profits not at all. Slight; (feeling remains on side of the gambler. Righteousness is tedious.) (PB)

English tale of an author who starves to death through editors neglecting to read, publish or pay for his work. Warmly humane tone given to the narrative by the poor landlord who cares for him without rent as he lies dying, and pays for his coffin and funeral. Interesting ironic side references to women - vanity, curiostiy etc. (Told by a woman?) (PB)

English tale of seduction and revenge. A painter revenges himself on his wife's seducer, shady son of a Liverpool cotton-broker, by running a specially built launch into the seducer's schooner and killing him. Interesting narrative struture: part first-hand, part yacht club gossip. (Includes reference/comparison of a steam-launch to a torpedo-boat.) (PB)

A Manchester lawyer circa 1840s regains a client's £100 from a dishonest landlord by wily means. Slight. (PB)