Review of Through The Fray by G. A. Henty

Through the Fray

By G. A. Henty

Originally published 1886

 

The Victorian novelist G. A. Henty wrote a multitude of excellent books during his career.  But many of his stories are “Henty-esque”, that is, they tend to have very similar plotlines.  Not so Through the Fray.  Its main conflict is internal, its main hero (Ned Sankey) is a mill-owner, and its main heroine  (Mary "Polly" Powlett) does not marry the mill-owner.

 

Through the Fray follows the adventures and misadventures of Edward “Ned” Sankey, a son of a retired officer.  This story is set in the years 1811-12.  It opens with Ned in the school of a brutal tyrant Mr. Hathorn.  As a result of his unjust punishments, Ned leads a rebellion against him, which ends in a courtroom trial and the loss of Mr. Hathorn’s job.  While good came out of Ned’s revolt, and the school is now under the kindly Mr. Porson, Ned’s father warns him about the dangers of his quick temper.  “Beware of your temper, Ned, for unless you overcome it, be assured that sooner or later it may lead to terrible consequences.” (pg. 79)

 

The school is now run by Mr. Porson, a good-natured schoolmaster with a fondness for cricket.  The boys all love him—well, almost all.  James Mathers believes Mr. Porson’s kindness to be all “gammon”, but the rest of the boys disagree.  However, the school is thrown into an uproar when their teacher’s classical dictionary turns up missing.  It is located in a second-hand bookshop with an ill reputation, but how did it get there?  Did one of the students steal it?  Another theft follows, this time of a gold pencil-case.  Ned and his chum Ripon trace it to Mathers, who is caught.   “He was tempted, you see, and none of us can tell what we may do when temptation comes, unless we have God’s help to enable us to withstand it and to do what is right,” observes their teacher.  (pg. 113)

Now Ned passes through a very difficult time in his life: the death of his father in an accident.  As the oldest child in the family, much responsibility devolves on him, especially since his mother does not like to be troubled.  Ned’s life is made even more difficult when his mother remarries a mill-owner named Mr. Mulready.  Mr. Mulready and Ned dislike each other.  After sparring and arguments for months, their antagonism finally breaks out into a fight.  The next morning Mr. Mulready is found dead.

 

Most people believe that Ned killed his stepfather in a fit of passion.  Ned denies it, but the circumstantial evidence is against him.  Ned is put on trial and found “Not Guilty” but his mother is certain of his guilt.  Will proof ever appear that Ned Sankey is innocent?

 

The characters in this book are some of the most vibrant that Mr. Henty has written.  There are three villains of very different stripes, from two-faced Mr. Mulready to thieving James Mathers.  But the heroes of the book are also very well-defined.  Longsuffering Captain Sankey, kindly Mary Powlett, and loyal Bill Marner are some who touch Ned’s life in different ways.

 

Highly recommended.

This book can be read for free at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/8732/8732-h/8732-h.htm

 

I’ll leave the last word with Mr. Henty: “In this story I have left the historical battlefields, across so many of which I have taken you, and have endeavored to show that there are peaceful battles to be fought and victories to be won every jot as arduous and as difficult as those contested under arms. … In the present tale my hero's enemy was within, and although his victory was at last achieved the victor was well nigh worsted in the fray. We have all such battles to fight, dear lads; may we all come unscathed and victorious through the fray! “

Review of When London Burned by G. A. Henty

I have often featured work by the author G. A. Henty on my blog (http://www.defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/search/label/Henty) but this is the first time I have reviewed one of his books.  This is in spite of the fact that I have read about 40 Henty novels over 5 years.  Today’s review will cover When London Burned: A Story of Restoration Times and the Great Fire.

 The historical setting is during the reign of King Charles II of England from 1661-1668.  The English Civil Wars have concluded and the King enjoys his own, but feeling still runs strongly in the country.  The Cavaliers (supporters of the King) and the Roundheads (supporters of Parliament) are not fighting with swords, but continue to regard each other with suspicion.  In foreign affairs, France and England are friends, but Holland is ready to make with England over trade and colonies.

The story begins by introducing us to Sir Aubrey Shenstone, a nobleman turned out of his estate after supporting King Charles I during the English Civil War (1642-1651).  He is forced to flee to France with his only son named Cyril, for his wife had died.  When Charles II returned to the throne, Sir Aubrey sailed to England to recover his estate—vainly, as it turned out.  In London father and son reunited, but not for long for Sir Aubrey died.  He had neither a penny to his name, nor any friends to help Cyril through the world

But Cyril had learned the trade of a clerk in France and had supported himself and his father while in London.  Now after much reflection, he decides to keep working as a clerk with the hope to buy back his rightful estate.  He worked for many men in London and one of them recommends him to a merchant named Captain Dave.  Captain Dave used to be a sailor but now sells merchandise for ships: rope, copper bolts, compasses, anchors.  Cyril is hired to help him keep the accounts and quickly discovers that someone has been stealing Captain Dave’s goods.  After some careful investigation, Captain Dave’s two apprentices are discovered to have been the thieves.  They and their accomplices are arrested and brought to trial.

This success in defending Captain Dave’s property has earned Cyril the hatred of the criminals, who go by the name of the “Black Gang.”  Cyril is kidnapped and sent to Holland, where he books passage on a ship back to England.  There the members of the “Black Gang” are tried and found guilty.  But two escape from the prison: Robert Ashford the apprentice and “Black” Dick.  But Cyril has other matters to worry him more than the escape of two prisoners.  Captain Dave’s daughter Nellie has been swept off her feet by a young gallant of Charles II’s Court, and is prepared to elope with him.  But he is not a nobleman but instead a fortune hunter named John Harvey.  To thwart him, Cyril enlists the help of John Wilkes, an old and trusty employee of Captain Dave’s.  Together, they fight and defeat Harvey and two of his cohorts as they attempt to carry Nellie off.  This narrow escape has its effect on Nellie, and she becomes more kindly and less vain. 

Shortly after this, Cyril and Wilkes fight a fire.  Together they rescue four women from a burning house and meet the Cavalier, Prince Rupert.  The Prince appoints Cyril as a volunteer aboard his own ship, the Henrietta, which is preparing to fight the Dutch fleet.  The English ships sail and engage the Dutch in what would become known as the Battle of Lowestoft.  During the battle, a Dutch fire ship (a ship lit on fire and then sent into an enemy ship) is bearing down on the Henrietta.  Cyril manages to steer it away from impacting his ship.  This action saved his life, for “Black” Dick was aboard the Henrietta and had determined to kill Cyril until he saw his sacrifice to save their ship.

Returning to England, Cyril helps battle the Plague of London in company with Dr. Hodges.  During this time, Cyril meets several Independents, so called because they were independent of the Church of England.  Among these are a Mr. and Mrs. Harvey.  They are nearly robbed by their son John, but Cyril manages to thwart him.  Mr. Harvey quickly writes out his will to prevent his son from inheriting any money.  But John Harvey is determined to strike back and since he has the Plague, infects Cyril before dying of it.  Cyril and John Wilkes the seaman fight the Plague with sweating, tobacco, and fresh air.  After this exhausting regimen of treatments, the plague spots abate and disappear completely.  Captain Dave and his family return from the country back to London in November.  On Christmas Eve, a lawyer arrives informing Cyril that he has received an inheritance of a house and land.  It comes from Mr. Harvey, who wishes to do justice by restoring it to the son of the former owner.

But war flares up again between the English and Dutch, and the English fleet is ordered to put to sea.  It clashes with the Dutch fleet for the four-day long Battle of Dunkirk.  Cyril is appointed to a small yacht and manages to reroute a few Dutch fireships during the battle.  Both sides refit their ships and clash in another battle.  After his service, Cyril returns to London only to find that the Great Fire of 1666 has broken out.  Cyril, John Wilkes and Captain Dave’s family work frantically to save a few of their goods from the fire by boarding a ship.  But the Dutch are far from beaten and proceed to land on the coast of England and capture Sheerness.  Again the English fleet meets them in battle.  Shortly after, the peace treaty between the two countries is signed.

This is one of Mr. Henty’s finest books.  Cyril’s hard work and his willingness to sacrifice for others give excellent lessons to the reader.  Wise quotes and maxims are sprinkled throughout the book as well.  It can be read for free at: https://archive.org/details/whenlondonburned00hentuoft

Cowardice and Courage by G. A. Henty

"There is nothing so bad as cowardice; it is the father of all faults.  A coward is certain to be a liar, for he will not hesitate to tell any falsehood to shelter him from the consequences of a fault.  In your case, you see, cowardice has made you a thief; and in some cases it might drive a man to commit a murder."--from When London Burned by G. A. Henty, pg. 95

Women and Children First--from Henty

"I heard, some time ago, that one of our masters had been appointed to a church in some beastly neighbourhood in Birmingham or one of those manufacturing towns, and the people were such a rough lot that he could do nothing with them at first.  But one day, when he was going along the street, he saw a notorious bully thrashing a woman, and he interfered.  The fellow threatened him, and he quietly turned in, and gave him the most tremendous thrashing he had ever had, in about three minutes.  After that he got to be greatly liked, and did no end of good in his parish."

"Yes; but you say this man was a priest, a clergyman?" Maffio urged.

The three friends looked gravely at each other.

"Yes, but you must remember that he was also a man, and there is such a thing as righteous anger.  Why should a man look on and see a woman ill-treated without lifting his hand to save her, simply because he is a clergyman?"--from Out With Garabaldi, pgs. 128-129

Favorite G. A. Henty Quote

This quote from page 8 of John Hawke's Fortune by G. A. Henty is one of my favorites:

"Never do a dishonourable action, be honest and straightforward, above all never tell a lie; were you to do so, putting aside the sin and shame of it, it would brand you as a coward.  Cowardice is the father of lying; a brave boy is not afraid of punishment for a fault that he has committed, but owns up to the truth and takes his punishment as a consequence of it, but the coward lies in hopes of escaping the penalty.  I don't know what your course in life will be, it is out of my power to aid you, and you have to fight your own way; but fight fair always, there is no disgrace in honest work, whatever it may be."

If any of my readers have any favorite Henty quotes, please post them in the comment section!

Aughrim--Giving Glory to God

As a Providential historian (one who believes that God directs the affairs of men), it is discouraging to constantly hear how one man was "lucky" or "fortunate".  What is luck and what is fortune?  Man realizes that there is something beyond him, something that governs wind and cannonballs.  So G. A. Henty's analysis of Aughrim in Orange and Green came like a gulp of fresh air.

"Saint Ruth had directed the operations of the battle with as much skill as he had prepared for the assault. He had taken up his position on a point of the hill whence he had a complete view of the whole field of battle, and had moved his troops, with calmness and judgment, to meet each of the attacks made upon them; and when he saw the destruction of the English regiment in the centre, he exclaimed, in the full confidence of victory, "Now I will drive the English to the walls of Dublin!"

There was, indeed, but one hope, on the part of the English, of retrieving the day; namely, the success of the attempt to force the passage at Aughrim. But two horsemen abreast could pass under the castle walls. Saint Ruth was aware of the passage, but thought it impassable for cavalry. It might easily have been made so, by cutting a deep gap across it; but here, as at Athlone, his overconfidence proved his destruction. He had, however, taken the precaution to erect a battery commanding the passage, and had placed some battalions of infantry there.

General Talmash, who commanded the English cavalry, knew that the battle was lost, unless he could succeed at this point; and, at the head of his command, he led the way along the pass, which was not only narrow, but broken and encumbered with the ruins of the castle wall. Saint Ruth beheld the attempt of the cavalry with astonishment, and, with the remark: "They are brave fellows, it is a pity they should be sacrificed," sent orders for the Irish horse to move forward and prepare to charge them; and moved down the hill at the head of his officers to the battery.

There is no doubt as to what the result would have been, had the Irish horse charged. They were greatly superior in number, and the English cavalry who had got across the passage were still in confusion, and were suffering from the fire of the battery, and, indeed, even when in equal numbers, William's cavalry had never withstood the charge of the Irish. It seemed that nothing could avert the defeat of the body on which Ginckle's last hope rested.

But at this moment one of those events, by which Providence overrules the calculations of man, occurred. A cannonball struck Saint Ruth, as he stood in the middle of the battery and killed him instantly. The occurrence paralysed the Irish army. Sarsfield was away, there was no one to give orders, the news that some extraordinary calamity had happened spread rapidly, the men in the battery ceased firing, the cavalry, receiving no orders to charge, remained immovable."