The Merivale Banks by Mary Jane Holmes
"The Merivale Banks" by Mary Jane Holmes is a story centered around the contrasting lives and fortunes of two banks in the town of Merivale: the First National Bank, known as the White Bank, and a private bank, known as the Grey Bank. The narrative explores themes of pride, social status, and the consequences of financial speculation. The White Bank is owned by Judge Robert White, a man proud of his lineage and wealth, who views himself as the most important figure in Merivale. His son, Herbert, is influenced by his father's views on social status and wealth, which leads to a complex relationship with Louie Grey, the daughter of Thomas Grey, the owner of the Grey Bank. Thomas Grey, unlike Judge White, is a newcomer to Merivale, with a mysterious past and no known pedigree. Despite this, he quickly gains popularity due to his affable nature and apparent success in banking. However, Grey's success is built on a precarious foundation of speculation and gambling, which eventually leads to the bank's collapse. The story delves into the personal and social ramifications of the bank's failure, particularly focusing on Louie Grey, who is caught between her loyalty to her father and her relationship with Herbert White. As the Grey Bank collapses, the town's perception of the Greys shifts dramatically, highlighting the fickle nature of social standing and the harsh realities of financial ruin. Throughout the narrative, Holmes examines the impact of pride, the pursuit of wealth, and the societal pressures that drive individuals to make risky decisions. The characters' struggles with identity, reputation, and morality are central to the unfolding drama, culminating in a poignant exploration of the human condition in the face of adversity.
By Mary Jane Holmes · First published 1879 · Genre: Domestic Fiction, Romance, Sentimental Fiction · 24 chapters · 90,573 words
First lines
There were two of them: the First National, familiarly known as the White Bank, and a private bank, known as the Grey Bank, and they stood side by side in the same imposing block, with marble front and massive doors of oak, and broad granite steps. High up in the cornice was an inscription telling that the building had been erected in 1875 by Robert White, Esq. He would like to have had Judge Robert White, instead of Robert White, Esq., so proud was he of the title held for a year only, and for which he was indebted to the resignation of an intimate friend and the influence of money. But his wife dissuaded him from it, but could not keep off the "Esq. " He was both a judge and a ‘squire, he said, having held the office of Justice of the Peace for two terms, and being called ‘squire before he became a judge, and one of the titles should go down to posterity.
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The Merivale Banks is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Jane Holmes, dated 1879 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Mary Jane Holmes
- Date: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Domestic Fiction, Romance, Sentimental Fiction, Victorian Literature, Social Realism
- Length: 90,573 words
- Structure: 24 chapters, 1,342 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Merivale Banks by Mary Jane Holmes
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Domestic Fiction — The narrative centers on home life, family relationships, and the moral challenges within domestic settings.
- Romance — The plot revolves around love, courtship, and personal relationships characteristic of sentimental romantic narratives.
- Sentimental Fiction — The writing style emphasizes emotional expression and morality, aligning with the sentimental literary tradition.
- Victorian Literature — The novel reflects the social norms, values, and narrative structure typical of the Victorian era.
Tags
historical fiction · women's fiction · romance · period drama · sentimental · family saga · social commentary · character study · emotional conflict · personal growth · love story · resilience
Contents
- The Banks
- Herbert and Louie
- Invitations for the Party
- The Morning of the Party
- The Run
- Louie Comes to the Rescue
- The Judge
- Louie and Fred
- The Party
- On the Grey Piazza
- Keeping the Secret
- Mr. Grey
- The Crash
- Louie's Courage
- The Session
- Severing the Tie
- The Shadow of Death
- Mr. Grey's Story
- The End and After
- On the other Side
- At the Savoy
- In Paris
- Louie and Miss Percy
- At Home