AustLit

How the Spanish nobleman Count Punonrostro got his title from Charles V in 1523 - for refusing to lie, etc. Gamekeeper to Count. Slight. (PB)

Russian tale of a former Georgian slave turned cruel mistress of the Emperor's minister. She has the sweetheart of her youth flogged for following her to St Petersburg and telling her of his love - and she is found eventually in her room, decapitated by garden shears. Slight; violence well described. (PB)

The brave French grenadier d'Auvergne successfully defends a mountain pass against the Austrians single-handedly in 1790 for Napoleon. (PB)

Romance and robbery in an English town. The idle son of the life-long friend of a paralyzed timber mill owner robs the helpless man while his daughters are at church. He is recognised by a split finger-nail and loses not only his reputation but the love of the man's youngest daughter. Competent. (Some interest in character of eldest daughter, her father's 'right-hand man' in business.) (PB)

Light amusing account of a ladies' tug-of-war between a British team and an Australian team on an Anglo-Australian steamship cruising to England. Spiced with class distinctions, patriotic loyalties, the ladies' respective builds, and the secret weapon of the leading Australians - circus women! (PB)

A Southampton farmer's wife dreams of her baby being kidnapped by an eagle at the same time as her dog is killing one which came too near. Slight. (PB)

A Kansas clergyman attends the simple burial of a baby, the last of three, who died on a wagon journey from Montana to Kentucky. US frontier pathos. (PB)

Bizarre tale from England of a young girl, orphaned by her invalid mother's death and her father's suicide after he is bankrupted. Soon after she hears of the death of her beloved from the neighbouring estate of Mervale Abbey. Recovering from an illness she goes to live with his mother there but only learns after several months that he is not dead but dying slowly of a dreadful gun blast which has shorn away half his face ... Odd tale - introverted atmosphere of life-tried female narrator. (PB)

A man's frustration at the meaningless phrase 'where did you get that hat?' and the variety of enunciations possible. Tedious humour. (PB)

Schoolboys' prank on their headmaster. (PB)

A little boy's love for the country and dislike of school is settled when he dies with his grieving parents beside him. His father wanted him sent back to school when he was sick. Child pathos. (PB)

A fierce fire destroys the year's crop but the family save their home. (PB)

Bizarre tale set in Berne, Switzerland. A Jewish merchant is discovered hanging in the pendulum chains of his clock. His servant is found semi-imbecilic and is tried for murder. The true story of the old Jew's crazed suicide only emerges when another Jewish merchant appears in court and sets the strange clock going again. Tale of the supernatural; vague sense of horror. Similar tale published before - probably not identical - but strangulation by infernal clock machinery is familiar. (PB)

A ranch hand dies in Montana, and his faithful violin splits at the same moment. Sentiment. (PB)

An old man is murdered on the eve of making a will leaving all his wealth to his daughter. His son, a gambler and in debt, is suspected and arrested on his way to Melbourne. A faithful servant, a greedy land developer, a touring amateur photographer and an eager young detective all contribute to solve the murder ... (PB)

Second chance given to a former criminial. Mrs Spencer's compassion for a starving vagrant seems to have been misplaced when he is recognised as an ex-prisoner and dismissed. But when she is left alone for a night he saves her from an assault and robbery planned by another thief. Generally pleasant tale of trust rewarded - Mrs S.'s courage also revealed. (PB)

Semi-historical sketch of a Paris servant helped by a stranger and his dog to recover 300 francs lost in the street. Slight. (PB)

Intense account of a young girl's first unhappy romance with a dashing gentleman, her recovery at her uncle's farm as governess to his daughters, and then subsequent growth of deep and passionate love for a true steady man. Occassionally absorbing internal narrative - though predictable and conventional in plot etc. (PB)

A count is allowed to enter heaven despite his list of ambitious self-serving deeds because of a kindness to a young child. (PB)