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Mary Boyle, her bookMary Louisa Boyle

Mary Boyle, her book

by OpenStories

Original author: Mary Louisa Boyle

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"Mary Boyle: Her Book" by Mary Louisa Boyle is an autobiographical account written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the life of Mary Boyle, affectionately known as “Vanessa,” as she reflects upon her family, friendships, and the social circles in which she moved. Through a series of sketches, she captures the essence of her experiences, including her relationships with influential literary figures and her vivid memories of family life, court life, and dramatic pursuits. The opening of the memoir begins with a brief introduction by Sir Courtenay Boyle, who highlights the essence of Mary Boyle’s character and the themes present in her writings. He emphasizes her charm, wit, and the affection felt for her by those around her. Boyle's narrative offers a glimpse into her childhood, detailing her birth and upbringing in a prominent family, with a focus on her ties to theatrical pursuits and notable acquaintances, such as James Russell Lowell and Lord Tennyson. The text reflects her light-hearted nature and demonstrates her penchant for storytelling, as she weaves recollections of her early life against the backdrop of sociocultural developments in England during her time.

Mary Boyle, her book, by Mary Louisa Boyle. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #63748.

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31 Chapters

  1. 1.Front Matter2,752 words
  2. 2.Preface840 words
  3. 3.Preface: xxi245 words
  4. 4.Chapter I: Birth, Parentage and Family3,442 words
  5. 5.Chapter II: Life in a Dockyard—friends, Favourites and Retainers2,671 words
  6. 6.Chapter III: My First Play—marriage of the Duke of Clarence—departure for Sheerness1,906 words
  7. 7.Chapter IV: Early Dramatic Recollections—residence at Hampton Court2,152 words
  8. 8.Chapter V: Life at Hampton Court2,787 words
  9. 9.Chapter VI: Our Extra Homes3,451 words
  10. 10.Chapter VII: My Grandmother’s Maid2,329 words
  11. 11.Chapter VIII: Our Household1,647 words
  12. 12.Chapter IX: Brighton—schooldays3,198 words
  13. 13.Chapter X2,897 words
  14. 14.Chapter XI: First Continental Travels—turin and Genoa3,144 words
  15. 15.Chapter XII: Summer at the Baths of Lucca2,417 words
  16. 16.Chapter XIII: Short Sojourn in Florence2,273 words
  1. 17.Chapter XIV: Summer at Naples2,825 words
  2. 18.Chapter XV: Pisa and Florence3,522 words
  3. 19.Chapter XVI: Return to England—accession of Queen Victoria—her Coronation1,112 words
  4. 20.Chapter XVII: Millard’s Hill—tenby—charles Young and a Court Ball1,639 words
  5. 21.Chapter XVIII: 1844. Trip to the Channel Islands2,243 words
  6. 22.Chapter XIX: Whittlebury1,840 words
  7. 23.Chapter XX: Munich—second Visit to Italy1,624 words
  8. 24.Chapter XXI: Arrival in Rome, 1846—october Festivals and “possesso”1,766 words
  9. 25.Chapter XXII: Summer of 1847—florence, Villa Careggi2,375 words
  10. 26.Chapter XXIII: Residence in Florence—charles Lever—revolution, and the Brownings2,884 words
  11. 27.Chapter XXIV1,925 words
  12. 28.Chapter XXV: Rockingham Castle—charles Dickens4,103 words
  13. 29.Chapter XXVI: Protectionist Party at Burghley512,414 words
  14. 30.Chapter XXVII: Althorp (1)8,720 words
  15. 31.Chapter XXVII: Althorp (2)3,465 words