Other editions of book The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters

The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1876. It was written, in serial form, for the Cornhill Magazine, which was edited by Leslie Stephen, a friend and mentor of Hardy's. Unlike the majority of Hardy's fiction, the novel is a comedy, with both humour and a happy ending for the major characters and no suicides or tragic deaths.

Young Mrs. Petherwin stepped from the door of an old and well-appointed inn in a Wessextown to take a country walk. By her look and carriage she appeared to belong to that gentleorder of society which has no worldly sorrow except when its jewellery gets stolen; but, asa fact not generally known, her claim to distinction was rather one of brains than ofblood. She was the daughter of a gentleman who lived in a large house not his own, andbegan life as a baby christened Ethelberta after an infant of title who does not come intothe story at all, having merely furnished Ethelberta’s mother with a subject ofcontemplation. She became teacher in a school, was praised by examiners, admired bygentlemen, not admired by gentlewomen, was touched up with accomplishments bymasters who were coaxed into painstaking by her many graces, and, entering a mansion asgoverness to the daughter thereof, was stealthily married by the son. He, a minor likeherself, died from a chill caught during the wedding tour, and a few weeks later wasfollowed into the grave by Sir Ralph Petherwin, his unforgiving father, who had bequeathedhis wealth to his wife absolutely.These calamities were a sufficient reason to Lady Petherwin for pardoning allconcerned. She took by the hand the forlorn Ethelberta—who seemed rather a detachedbride than a widow—and finished her education by placing her for two or three years in aboarding-school at Bonn. Latterly she had brought the girl to England to live under herroof as daughter and companion, the condition attached being that Ethelberta was neveropenly to recognize her relations, for reasons which will hereafter appear.

Thomas Hardy was one of the greatest British authors during the Victorian era. Hardy was highly critical of Victorian culture and also focused on the declining rural society. Though Hardy was a great poet it is his classic novels, such as Far from the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure, that he is best known for. The Hand of Ethelberta is a novel about a young woman raised poor who marries a rich man who tragically dies shortly after the wedding. Ethelberta then goes on to launch a great career as a poet.

The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1876. It was written, in serial form, for the Cornhill Magazine, which was edited by Leslie Stephen, a friend and mentor of Hardy's. Unlike the majority of Hardy's fiction, the novel is a comedy, with both humour and a happy ending for the major characters and no suicides or tragic deaths. The late nineteenth century novelist George Gissing, who knew Hardy, considered it 'surely old Hardy's poorest book'

The only novel from Hardy that that provides a lighter tale, The Hand of Ethelberta, gives account of the life of a woman who lifts herself to the higher classes of the society.This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub–title of a comedy to indicate—though not quite accurately—the aim of the performance. A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good–natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered. The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human. On its first appearance the novel suffered, perhaps deservedly, for what was involved in these intentions—for its quality of unexpectedness in particular—that unforgivable sin in the critic's sight—the immediate precursor of 'Ethelberta' having been a purely rural tale. Moreover, in its choice of medium, and line of perspective, it undertook a delicate task: to excite interest in a drama—if such a dignified word may be used in the connection— wherein servants were as important as, or more important than, their masters; wherein the drawing–room was sketched in many cases from the point of view of the servants' hall.

Excerpt from The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in ChaptersNobheman that on hand in glove with alf What d'ye tell o'l That man's father was one of the mayor an tion of Sandbourne, and was that familiar money that he'd slap 'em upon the shoulde or an other poor fool would the clerk of the what's my lordlin Ay, the toppermost cl useof wheels forthegood of thei txaipse and walk for many years you can see nothing but snow and eftto walkup; audit they reach and weared.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Ethelberta was raised in humble circumstances but, through her work as a governess, married well at the age of eighteen. Her husband died two weeks after the wedding and, now twenty-one, Ethelberta lives with her mother-in-law, Lady Petherwin. In the three years that have elapsed since the deaths of both her husband and father-in-law, Ethelberta has been treated to foreign travel and further privilege by her benefactress, but restricted from seeing her poor family. The events of the story concern Ethelberta's career as a famous poetess and storyteller as she struggles to support her family and conceal her secret -- that her father is a butler. Beautiful, clever, and rational, she easily attracts four very persistent suitors (Mr Julian, Mr Neigh, Mr Ladywell, and Lord Mountclere), but is reluctant to give her much-coveted hand.

Young Mrs. Petherwin stepped from the door of an old and well-appointed inn in a Wessex town to take acountry walk. By her look and carriage she appeared to belong to that gentle order of society which has noworldly sorrow except when its jewellery gets stolen; but, as a fact not generally known, her claim todistinction was rather one of brains than of blood. She was the daughter of a gentleman who lived in a largehouse not his own, and began life as a baby christened Ethelberta after an infant of title who does not comeinto the story at all, having merely furnished Ethelberta’s mother with a subject of contemplation. Shebecame teacher in a school, was praised by examiners, admired by gentlemen, not admired by gentlewomen,was touched up with accomplishments by masters who were coaxed into painstaking by her many graces, and,entering a mansion as governess to the daughter thereof, was stealthily married by the son. He, a minor likeherself, died from a chill caught during the wedding tour, and a few weeks later was followed into the graveby Sir Ralph Petherwin, his unforgiving father, who had bequeathed his wealth to his wife absolutely.

The Hand of Ethelberta is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1876. It was written, in serial form, for the Cornhill Magazine, which was edited by Leslie Stephen, a friend and mentor of Hardy's. Unlike the majority of Hardy's fiction, the novel is a comedy, with both humour and a happy ending for the major characters and no suicides or tragic deaths. The late nineteenth century novelist George Gissing, who knew Hardy, considered it 'surely old Hardy's poorest book'