The South Sea Bubble of Charles Du Breil
The novel is a historical romance set during the South Sea Bubble era of the early 18th century. It revolves around the life of Charles Du Breil, a young Frenchman who becomes embroiled in the speculative frenzy surrounding the South Sea Company. Du Breil's fortunes rise and fall with the company's stock prices, leading him to engage in various schemes and adventures as he navigates the treacherous world of high finance. Along the way, he encounters a cast of characters including wealthy merchants, corrupt politicians, and beautiful women. Throughout the novel, Becke explores themes of greed, ambition, and the dangers of unchecked capitalism. The story is marked by its vivid descriptions of 18th-century London and its inhabitants, as well as its fast-paced action and suspenseful plot twists. Ultimately, Du Breil's experiences serve as a cautionary tale about the risks of speculation and the importance of living within one's means.
By Louis Becke · First published 1888 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Satire · 4,066 words
First lines
Less than a year ago news was received of the arrival in Noumea, in New / Caledonia, of the remainder of a party of unwashed visionaries, calling / themselves the 'United Brotherhood of the South Sea Islands. ' A year / before they had sailed away from San Francisco in a wretched old crate / of a schooner, named the _Percy Edward_ (an ex-Tahitian mail packet), to / seek for an island or islands whereon they were to found a Socialistic / Utopia, where they were to pluck the wild goat by the beard, pay no / rent to the native owners of the soil, and, letting their hair grow down / their backs, lead an idyllic life and loaf around generally. Such a mad / scheme could have been conceived nowhere else but in San Francisco or / Paris.
What this Textopian page supports
The South Sea Bubble of Charles Du Breil is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Louis Becke
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Satire, Social Commentary, Tragedy
- Length: 4,066 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The South Sea Bubble of Charles Du Breil by Louis Becke
- 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
Similar titles
- The Man In The Buffalo Hide by Louis Becke
- Denisons Second Berth Ashore by Louis Becke
- The Methodical Mr Burr Of Maduro by Louis Becke
- The Vagrant by Richard Harding Davis
- The Esquimaux Maidens Romance by Mark Twain
- The Chinese Ambassador by Ludovic Halevy
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against the backdrop of a historical event, focusing on the ill-fated colonization efforts in the South Pacific.
- Adventure — The plot involves a perilous journey across the Pacific and the challenges faced by the colonists.
- Satire — The work critiques the idealism and naivety of the colonists, highlighting the absurdity of their plans.
- Social Commentary — The themes explore the failures of colonialism and the impact of misguided social ideals on individuals.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Financial Crisis · Economic Satire · Adventure Novel · 19th Century Literature · English Language Literature · Sea-Faring Adventure · Colonialism · Imperialism · Speculation · Investment · Market Crash