The Fourth Generation

The Fourth Generation is a novel written by the renowned English author, Walter Besant. The book is set in London during the late 19th century and follows the lives of two families, the Thorpes and the Jocelyns, who are connected through marriage. The novel explores the struggles and conflicts that arise between the families as they navigate their way through the social and economic changes of the time.The story begins with the death of Mr. Thorpe, a wealthy businessman, and the subsequent inheritance of his fortune by his son, Leonard. Leonard's marriage to Edith Jocelyn, the daughter of a prominent politician, is seen as a strategic move to solidify the family's social status. However, their marriage is fraught with tension and resentment, as Leonard's desire for wealth and power clashes with Edith's idealistic views on life.As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to a cast of characters from different social classes, including artists, writers, and politicians. The novel explores the themes of love, ambition, and social mobility, as the characters navigate their way through the changing landscape of Victorian England.The Fourth Generation is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of Victorian society. Besant's vivid descriptions of London's streets and buildings transport the reader back in time, while his complex characters provide a fascinating insight into the social and economic struggles of the era. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Victorian literature and history.1899. Besant, English writer and humanitarian, practiced many branches of literary art with success, but he is most widely known for his long succession of novels, many of which enjoyed remarkable popularity. Besant writes in the Preface that the question with which the story deals is why the innocent must suffer, and do suffer every day and in every generation, for the follies and the sins of their forefathers. Contents: A Remote Ancestor; What he Wanted; Something to Come; The Complete Supply; A Learned Profession; The Return of the Prodigal; The Child of Sorrows; In the Land of Beeches; Mary Anne; A Dinner at the Club; The Book of Extracts; On the Site; A Compromise; Consultation; Barlow Brothers; And Another Came; Yet Another! The Light that Broke; The Signs of Change; He Speaks at Last; and The Will. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.