The Courier of the Hague
The story revolves around a young woman who becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a stolen letter and a murder. She takes it upon herself to uncover the truth behind these events, navigating a complex web of relationships and deceit. Through her journey, she learns about the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of one's actions.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1852 · Genre: Humor, Travel Literature, Social Commentary · 2,021 words
First lines
He is an elderly amiable little Dutchman in a soft felt hat; his name is BOSCH, and he is taking me about. _Why_ I engaged him I don't quite know -- unless from a general sense of helplessness in Holland, and a craving for any kind of companionship. Now I have got him, I feel rather more helpless than ever -- a sort of composite of SANDFORD and MERTON, with a didactic, but frequently incomprehensible Dutch BARLOW. My SANDFORD half would like to exhibit an intelligent curiosity, but is generally suppressed by MERTON, who has a morbid horror of useful information. Not that BOSCH is remarkably erudite, but nevertheless he contrives to reduce me to a state of imbecility, which I catch myself noting with a pained surprise. There is a statue in the Plein, and the SANDFORD element in me finds a satisfaction in recognising it aloud as William the Silent.
What this Textopian page supports
The Courier of the Hague is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1852 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1852 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Travel Literature, Social Commentary, Fiction, Satire
- Length: 2,021 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Courier of the Hague by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Courier of the Hague?
- How does this novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Humor — The book employs comedic elements through the interactions and misunderstandings between the narrator and Bosch, showcasing wit and satire.
- Travel Literature — The narrative revolves around the exploration of The Hague, detailing sights and cultural observations, typical of travel writing.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and behaviors through the lens of the narrator's experiences and Bosch's anecdotes.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional account, blending real locations and characters with imaginative storytelling.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Adventure · Mystery · Thriller · Spy Novel · War Story · Napoleonic Wars · Dutch Resistance · Espionage · Intrigue · Suspense · Action-Packed