The Caxtons Part XII

Name: The Caxtons Part XII
Author: Edward Bulwer-lytton

Pisistratus Caxton narrates the family's move into Roland's ancestral Tower, where his father's books settle awkwardly into the new quarters and Mrs. Primmins arrives with the duck, which is reconciled to the old stewpond. Mr. Caxton wins over the servant Bolt to protect the pond's carp by grandly (and mock-learnedly) elevating the fish's pedigree, comparing them to the imperial Cyprinidae of Peterhoff, so that Bolt agrees to spare them from Mrs. Primmins's kitchen. Beneath the comic byplay lies real loss: the death of the Anti-Publisher Society has halted the "Great Book" (Mr. Caxton's History of Human Error), leaving three thousand copies of unfinished sheets and plates stored in a lobby. Mr. Caxton refuses to spend more of the family's remaining capital to complete it, insisting his duties to his son outweigh his authorial vanity, and treats the abandoned work as a kind of penance. Pisistratus privately resolves to work hard and grow rich so the book might one day be finished. Pisistratus explores the neighborhood and learns from Trevanion's steward that Roland's barren moorland could become valuable farmland with capital investment. Uncle Jack, declining an invitation to the Tower, disappears into his own schemes, corresponding under aliases, and eventually departs by coach announcing he will now work for himself rather than "mankind." Mr. Caxton, amused, philosophizes about Jack's nature using a fanciful geometric metaphor (Jack as a "scalene triangle," prone to instability but fundamentally good-hearted). Blanche, Roland's daughter, is portrayed as a gentle, intuitive child, close to nature and books, given a spaniel named Juba by Pisistratus. Together they discover a locked upper room containing relics of Roland's dead son: a foreign cradle, broken toys, Spanish books, and a portrait of family ancestor Herbert de Caxton, labeled by Roland as "the best and bravest" of the line, who fought at Zutphen beside Sidney and against the Spanish armada. The label is torn off after words suggesting Roland once hoped for an heir to equal him. Blanche weeps, realizing the depth of her father's grief, and grows closer to Roland afterward. A financial council follows: Mrs. Caxton proposes a household budget assuming Roland's estate brings in £330 a year, but Roland reveals he actually nets only £130 after a hidden £200 annual debt — the cost of having once paid his errant son's debts. Mrs. Caxton is contrite; Pisistratus, left alone in the hall, resolves to restore his father's fortunes, rebuild the ruined estate, and become the son Roland lost. The chapter closes with two letters. Pisistratus writes to Albert Trevanion, M.P., confessing his restlessness with bookish, sedentary professions and his desire for a life of action; he proposes emigration to India or Australia as a way to earn enough capital to help his family without waiting decades. Trevanion replies warmly from the House of Commons, endorsing emigration to Australia specifically, outlining a plan for Pisistratus to take £3,000 in capital (partly borrowed interest-free from Trevanion himself, partly from a partner, young Bolding, son of a clergyman friend) and build a fortune in the Bush over about a decade. Trevanion also mentions his daughter Fanny's engagement to Lord Castleton and his own imminent entry into ministerial office. The section ends with Pisistratus's decision made: he will emigrate. He begins quietly preparing to break the news at home, dreading the pain of leaving his mother, father, Roland, and especially Blanche, who senses his coming absence and grows disconsolate as he withdraws to plan his departure.

By Edward Bulwer-lytton · First published 1849 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Family Saga, Romance · 7 chapters · 14,837 words

First lines

The Hegira is completed, -- we have all taken roost in the old Tower. My father's books have arrived by the wagon, and have settled themselves quietly in their new abode, -- filling up the apartment dedicated to their owner, including the bed chamber and two lobbies. The duck also has arrived, under wing of Mrs. Primmins, and has reconciled herself to the old stewpond, by the side of which my father has found a walk that compensates for the peach-wall, especially as he has made acquaintance with sundry respectable carps, who permit him to feed them after he has fed the duck, -- a privilege of which (since, if any one else approaches, the carps are off in an instant) my father is naturally vain. All privileges are valuable in proportion to the exclusiveness of their enjoyment.

What this Textopian page supports

The Caxtons Part XII is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edward Bulwer-lytton, dated 1849 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Edward Bulwer-lytton
Date: 1849 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Family Saga, Romance, Adventure, Coming of Age
Length: 14,837 words
Structure: 7 chapters, 136 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Caxtons Part XII by Edward Bulwer-lytton
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Caxtons Part XII?
How does this novel by Edward Bulwer-lytton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical period and includes real events and characters from history.
Family Saga — The story revolves around the lives and experiences of a family over several generations.
Romance — The narrative includes elements of love and romantic relationships.
Adventure — The plot involves elements of travel, exploration, and adventure.