Henry James
The Europeans
eBook
( Feb. 4, 2020)
The Europeans: A sketch is a short novel by Henry James, published in 1878. It is essentially a comedy contrasting the behaviour and attitudes of two visitors from Europe with those of their relatives living in the ‘new’ world of New England. The novel first appeared as a serial in The Atlantic Monthly for July-October, 1878. James made numerous minor revisions for the first book publication.
First Page:
THE EUROPEANS
by Henry James
CHAPTER I
A narrow grave yard in the heart of a bustling, indifferent city, seen from the windows of a gloomy looking inn, is at no time an object of enlivening suggestion; and the spectacle is not at its best when the mouldy tombstones and funereal umbrage have received the ineffectual refreshment of a dull, moist snow fall. If, while the air is thickened by this frosty drizzle, the calendar should happen to indicate that the blessed vernal season is already six weeks old, it will be admitted that no depressing influence is absent from the scene. This fact was keenly felt on a certain 12th of May, upwards of thirty years since, by a lady who stood looking out of one of the windows of the best hotel in the ancient city of Boston. She had stood there for half an hour stood there, that is, at intervals; for from time to time she turned back into the room and measured its length with a restless step. In the chimney place was a red hot fire which emitted a small blue flame; and in front of the fire, at a table, sat a young man who was busily plying a pencil...
First Page:
THE EUROPEANS
by Henry James
CHAPTER I
A narrow grave yard in the heart of a bustling, indifferent city, seen from the windows of a gloomy looking inn, is at no time an object of enlivening suggestion; and the spectacle is not at its best when the mouldy tombstones and funereal umbrage have received the ineffectual refreshment of a dull, moist snow fall. If, while the air is thickened by this frosty drizzle, the calendar should happen to indicate that the blessed vernal season is already six weeks old, it will be admitted that no depressing influence is absent from the scene. This fact was keenly felt on a certain 12th of May, upwards of thirty years since, by a lady who stood looking out of one of the windows of the best hotel in the ancient city of Boston. She had stood there for half an hour stood there, that is, at intervals; for from time to time she turned back into the room and measured its length with a restless step. In the chimney place was a red hot fire which emitted a small blue flame; and in front of the fire, at a table, sat a young man who was busily plying a pencil...
- Pages
- 201
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