Novel 332: Elizabeth Anna Hart, Miss Hitchcock’s Wedding Dress (1876)

Thomas Benjamin Kennington, The Wedding Dress

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A dressmaker crashes a ball in the dress she was hired to make.

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For Hart, see Novels 006, 140, and 239.

“The incidents are slightly improbable, but cleverly strung together. . . .  The sooner the story is dramatized the better, for after reading the book we want to see the play.” Boston Globe, March 7, 1876

“An impossible story, with some very painful incongruities, and not a few betrayals of intellectual feebleness on the part of the author. And yet we imagine that there are many respectable three-volume English novels without half its brightness, and ingenuity, and readableness; many novels, of apparently much more thought, without anything like the natural quality, the insight, and even the poetry of this entertaining little book.” Scribner’s, May, 1876

The heroine’s charm is such as to “disarm any critical faculty which the reader may possess, which is fortunate, as otherwise sensible persons might feel obliged, in justice to themselves, to declare it was all nonsense all together.” Athenaeum, September 2, 1876

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https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/35n82s/alma990147383550107026

Crossword 331: Or Else

John William Waterhouse, Magic Circle

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It has lately come to my attention that the Internet is infested with a great many people who have wrong opinions and do bad things.  And I have to ask myself—and invite you, dear solver, to ask yourself as well—does not our use of the Internet render us complicit with these wrongheaded people and responsible for these bad things?  I fear it does. So I’ve decided that if the Internet does not remove these people within a reasonable amount of time, I will withdraw from it myself and invite you to do the same.  Reform, Internet, or else!

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331 Or-Else.puz

331 Or-Else.pdf

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331 Or Else

Novel 331: Frank Barrett, A Recoiling Vengeance (1888)

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An attorney attempts to guide a client’s estate to a proper recipient.

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Frank Barrett (1845-1926) wrote some 40 novels in a variety of subgenres between 1874 and 1914; this one has a particularly engaging narrator.

“A very pretty, natural, and refreshing story is A Recoiling Vengeance, although a slight and artless one. . . . in its clearness and brightness it reminds us a little of the manner of Anthony Trollope.” Saturday Review, September 8, 1888

Barrett has “a style which has ease and freedom, and at the same time a certain grace and restraint. . . . It is a bright, taking story, rendered all the more attractive by a vein of very pleasant humour which runs through it.” Spectator, September 29, 1888

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https://archive.org/details/recoilingvengean00barr

Crossword 330: SB

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Some time ago (see Crossword 317) I promised a series of crosswords honoring the Periodic Table of Elements.  So today I give you “SB,” the chemical symbol for antimony.  But SB can mean many other things as well, according to Wikipedia:  San Bernardino and Santa Barbara, the Solomon Islands and South Burlington, Vermont, the Statistic Bureau of Japan, and St. Bonaventure.  Any solver who understands Wikipedia and is able to add to this list “A crossword puzzle by David Alfred Bywaters” may apply to me for an autographed copy of this puzzle, suitable for framing.

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330 SB.puz

330 SB.pdf

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330 SB

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A crossword of mine will appear Wednesday, June 11, in The Wall Street Journal

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Novel 330: Catherine Crowe, The Story of Lilly Dawson (1847)

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An heiress, shipwrecked in childhood, is abducted and raised by smugglers.

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For Crowe, see Novels 023 and 272

“The authoress considerably oversteps very often the limits of probability, and suffers herself to be betrayed into gross violation even of the possible,” but “it is long since we have perused a novel which afforded us more pleasure. . . . No one can fail to be struck with a certain air of freshness and originality in the conception, and great vigour in the working out of the narrative; from the commencement to the end there is an endless series of adventures, varied at every turn. Altogether the story of Lilly Dawson is a delightful tale, related with vigour, full of striking and original scenes, and displaying . . . considerable acquaintance with human nature.” Sunday Times, March 14, 1847

“It is . . . in the consummate art with which a character itself not very prepossessing is invested with interest, in the power with which the gradual awakening of sense and intellect, from the prostration of servitude and tyranny is portrayed, and in the life and character which is impressed upon each accessory character, rather than in the mere incident and narrative, that lie the chief merits of this truly clever and able performance. It belongs to that class of story which, since the days of Fielding and Richardson, has been the most enduring of all works of fiction.” New Monthly Magazine, April 1847

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v.1 https://archive.org/details/storyoflillydaws01crow

v.2 https://archive.org/details/storyoflillydaws02crow

v.3 https://archive.org/details/storyoflillydaws03crow

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Crossword 329: Rethinking

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The purpose of this website, like that of all great modern art, is to bring about a radical rethinking of the human condition, of its meaning and purpose, its origin and end.  When refined people see abstract painting or hear atonal music, their very sense of reality is challenged; they come away changed, ennobled, completed.  Of course, there are those, not so refined, who see only smudges and hear only noise.  And so it is with my crosswords. While I interrogate the unstable relationship between signifier and signified, with the aim of leading the refined solver to rethink the very meaning of meaning, there are those who just think, “Oh here’s another stupid pun.” But I do not cross my words for them.

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329 Rethinking.puz

329 Rethinking.pdf

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329 Rethinking

Novel 329: Archie Armstrong, Under the Circumstances (1897)

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A young woman finds herself disinherited in favor of her guardian’s housekeeper.

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Archie Armstrong (1859-1925), a journalist and editor, wrote one play, one story collection, and one novel, this one.

Armstrong “can tell a story very pleasantly, and has an instinct for a plot.” Academy, March 6, 1897

A “well-told story of to-day, written in good English.” Athenaeum, March 20, 1897

“Distinctly good”; the heroine is “very lifelike.” Spectator, October 9, 1897

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https://archive.org/details/undercircumstanc00arms

Crossword 328: What’s It All For?

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What is it all for?  It’s a question that eventually occurs to every thinking mind.  Some turn to religion, some are content to rest in ignorance, and some distract themselves with more answerable questions like, “What’s 1 Across?”

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328 What's-It-All-For?.puz

328 What's-It-All-For?.pdf

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328 What’s It All For?

Novel 328: Bithia Mary Croker, The Real Lady Hilda (1896)

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A woman returns from India to England and is treated ungratefully by a society leader whose life she saved.

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For Croker, see Novels 013, 073, 129, 183, and 259.

The novel “has a fair measure of that cheerful vivacity which distinguishes her from most female novelists of the day.” Athenaeum, March 7, 1896

A “bright tale” with “sharply humorous characterization.” Academy, June 6, 1896

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https://archive.org/details/10792986.1984.emory.edu

Crossword 327: It’s All Wrong

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Do you ever find yourself suddenly wondering whether everything you think and do is just wrong?  This happens to me from time to time.  For example, recently I found myself wondering whether posting crossword puzzles and Victorian novel recommendations for free on the internet every fortnight might not be the best use I could find for my time.  Crazy stuff!  But there’s no limit to the human mind’s potential for self-delusion.

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327 It's-All-Wrong.puz

327 It's-All-Wrong.pdf

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327 It’s All Wrong

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Novel 327: David Christie Murray, Cynic Fortune (1886)

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A murderer inherits an estate from his victim and strives to atone to his daughter.

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For Murray, see Novels 009, 068, 127, 181, and 225.

“The elements of the story . . . are rather well worn” but “every part of the book is well written and lively.” Academy, September 18, 1886

“A very neatly told story, and it shows some good bits of character”; the author “provides his readers with a good deal of entertainment, and his well-known vivacity of style presents it in a very acceptable form.” Athenaeum, September 25, 1886

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https://books.google.com/books?id=tIRBAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=cynic%20fortune%20murray&pg=PP11#v=onepage&q&f=false

Crossword 326: Padding

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What would we do without padding?  Everywhere—in the pages of student essays and of Victorian novels, through hours upon hours of concept albums and superhero movies, on the chests of women and the shoulders of men, in the résumés of politicians and the expense accounts of executives, on the knees of skateboarders and the walls of maniacs—padding enhances and protects us!  And yet how often is it mindlessly maligned!  Today’s puzzle offers in contrast a humble tribute.

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326-Padding.puz

326-Padding.pdf

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326 Padding

Novel 326: Margaret Agnes Paul, Thomasina (1872)

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A girl grows up to oppose her tyrannical grandfather.

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For Paul, see Novels 025, 136, 198, 251, and 286.

“Within its own limits . . .  thoroughly satisfactory. . . . We would liken it to a finished and delicate cabinet picture, in which there is no brilliant colour, and yet all is in harmony.” Athenaeum, April 6, 1872

“An amusing, animated, and well-told story.” Spectator, May 18, 1872

Download this fortnight’s novel:

https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/35n82s/alma990141810450107026

(Right-click (or control-click, if you have a Mac) on the “view digitized copy” links to download the novel’s two volumes in pdf form)

Crossword 325: Pulling Ahead

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In a few days some people will gather for an annual event in which they try to solve crosswords faster than each other. As I’ve said before (see Crossword 070), I prefer to solve crosswords at a speed that allows me to ponder their nuances and ramifications.  Lately I’ve wondered whether, like many of my personal preferences, this one is actually based on universal, objective truth. 

Doing something faster than somebody else is all well and good when the thing done is otherwise of little value or interest, like progressing along an oval track on foot or on a horse or in a car.  Such is not the case with savoring a cup of tea or a glass of wine, say, or strolling along a scenic lane, or solving a crossword.  But as crossword speed contests have proliferated, as crossword apps and web sites have added timers, crosswords have come to seem mere grid-shaped racing venues, equivalent to so many miles or meters of oval track, the view from which must be resolutely ignored by the committed competitor. 

The crosswords on this web site will always provide, for those who will take the time, profound insight into the rich variety of human experience.  Solve them slowly. 

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325-Pulling-Ahead.puz

325-Pulling-Ahead.pdf

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325 Pulling Ahead

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A crossword of mine will appear Wednesday, March 26, in The Wall Street Journal

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Novel 325: Agnes Catherine Maitland, Rhoda (1885)

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A mother adopts a child so as to conceal his right to inherit an estate to which her own son seems heir-apparent.

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In 1889, Agnes Catherine Maitland (1849-1906) became principal at Somerville College, one of the first Oxford colleges for women.  Before that time she wrote a few novels, beginning in 1875, including this one.

After “somewhat conventional opening chapters . . . we find ourselves in the midst of a set of very real personages, drawn with a light but sympathetic touch. . . . In point of style the author is far in advance of the rambling method so frequent amongst female writers.” Athenaeum, November 21, 1885.

“A readable and, from the literary point of view, rather superior novel with a conventional plot.” Spectator, December 5, 1885.

Download this fortnight’s novel:

https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/35n82s/alma990143693230107026

(Right-click (or control-click, if you have a Mac) on the “view digitized copy” links to download the novel’s three volumes in pdf form)

Crossword 324: Fashion Shoots

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We like to keep up with the fashions here at David Alfred Bywaters’s Crossword Cavalcade and Fortnightly Victorian Novel Recommender.  When people started wearing their hats backwards, we wore our hats backwards.  And then when people started wearing them forwards again, so did we.  This helps us feel like we’re a part of something bigger and stronger than our sad individual selves crawling around a comfortless world pointlessly and alone. Have you seen our new polo shirts?

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324-Fashion-Shoots.puz

324-Fashion-Shoots.pdf

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324 Fashion Shoots

Novel 324: Annie E. Wickham, Loveday (1896)

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A Cornish farmer rescues from shipwreck a man of dubious antecedents, along with his daughter and niece.

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Annie E. Wickham published two novels, both in 1896.  Nothing else appears to be known about her.

The novel has “much originality” and “one of the most fascinating scoundrels who have ever appeared in fiction.” Spectator, April 4, 1896

It “has charm—charm of manner, of matter.  It is above all things fresh.” Athenaeum, April 4, 1896

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https://books.google.com/books?id=Ea1-twjyXJoC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=loveday%20wickham&pg=PP11#v=onepage&q=loveday%20wickham&f=false

Crossword 323: Nonconfrontation

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Let’s not fight about it.  You’re right.  Or if you’re not, it’s not important.  What’s important is getting along.  And we’d get along just fine if it weren’t for your wrong opinions and bad taste.  So just stop arguing and do the puzzle.

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323 Nonconfrontation.puz

323-Nonconfrontation.pdf

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323 Nonconfrontation

Novel 323: Sarah Doudney, When We Two Parted (1885)

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A selfish heiress resents a beautiful former friend; meanwhile, a puritanical girl falls in love with a worldly actor.

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Sarah Doudney (1841-1926) wrote poems and hymns as well as over fifty novels between 1871 and 1906, many of them pious works for girls.

“Shrewd sayings in a sententious form are scattered thickly throughout these pages, and prove the author to be a close but kindly student of humanity. She possesses, moreover, a vein of quiet humour which emerges pleasantly at times, as well as an artistic restraint which spares the reader unnecessary details. ‘When We Two Parted’ is a pleasant story of the conventional order.” Athenaeum, March 28, 1885

“The lazy life of a small country town, where it is ‘always afternoon,’ is described with ease, and, if events are rare, the reader hardly recognizes the want of them. . . . Miss Doudney writes in a pleasant style. . . The book has a liberality of thought and treatment not common to works of this class.” Saturday Review, April 11, 1885   

A (somewhat) contrasting view:

“The only fault to be found with When We Two Parted is that it is too much of a good thing.” Academy, March 21, 1885

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The only digitized copy of today’s novel that I have found was once accessible from the British Library. But in October 2023, the British Library was shut down as a result of a ransomware attack, and now, after 16 months, its Victorian novel collection remains inaccessible; many links on my site do not work in consequence. I hope someday the collection returns; meanwhile, I trust nobody will mind if I post some British Library pdfs to an online storage drive, and links to said drive on this website, like this one, to today’s novel:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-n6YVdUjZQHjNqRX9ZiSEvX2EpfEriXu/view?usp=share_link

Crossword 322: Trash Bin

Ernest Normand, Evil Sought

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Here is yet another in my series of crosswords exploring the dark side of the human condition (see, for example, Crosswords 112, 114, 115, 224, 306), the filth and misery that other crossword constructors never come near.  Why don’t they, I wonder?  Is it that they are afraid—afraid, perhaps of the darkness within themselves, lurking just beneath their facile self-regard, their bourgeois pieties?

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322-Trash-Bin.puz

322-Trash-Bin.pdf

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322 Trash Bin