Cirrus@Austlit

Humorous account of a Detroit family man attempting to walk his Newfoundland dog home from the pet shop down busy streets etc. (PB)

A young orphan on the boat from London to Edinburgh - 'so much beauty, and such utter lack of style' - is rescued from the care of a flashy man by a fellow passenger. He promises to look her up at her aunt's but does not appear for a month - though all ends well. Slight romance on slight pretext. (PB)

A farmer's wife worn out by children and work and an ambitious husband. (PB)

A mysterious new worker in a Southampton building yard is discovered by members of a secret society he had betrayed to the law - and 'suicide' follows. Basic tale. (PB)

A family man with eleven daughters knows what shoes he wants - and why. (PB)

British tale of artistic rivalry and murder. An established English artist reveals in a fever on his deathbed that he murdered another artist, a friend, in his youth whilst under the influence of opium - jealous of his rival's artistic ability and his love for Kate Ilverton. The murderer had always believed his friend's spirit had completed the painting he was working on at the time of his death. Neat twist in that Kate Ilverton later married the murderer and learned of his unconscious guilt in their long marriage - living with the knowledge for years. Completely written; 'true art' theme included. (PB)

An old man dying dreams that he is young and that his and his wife's white hair is the dream. (PB)

Romance of the English countryside. A visit from a London lady and her mother creates jealousy in the heart of Juliet Heming, and changes her decision never to be in love with Jack Martyn. Pleasant light tale. (PB)

Anecdote of a ghostly apparition foretelling Lord Castlereagh's eventual violent death. (PB)

Tale told during a hunt for gold in Africa by an expedition of his narrow escape from an Aboriginal attack on an out-station near the Lachland River, NSW. (PB)

A political candidate persuades a voter to accept a lift to the polls - only to discover he'd voted already. (PB)

Urban location, set in March. Sophia Swain, jealous of her aunt's regard for her cousin Henry Pennifer and of his engagement to his employer's daughter, murders her aunt in her sleep to prevent her making a will naming henry as her heir. A broken shoe tassle, a key falsely lost and a servant's close observation suggest that she is the guilty party and the suspicions of a detective confirm it. (PB)

English tale of knaves and romance. A London solicitor is given shelter during a snowstorm in Yorkshire by a beautiful girl, she hiding him from her father and villainous friends. Two years later he sees her in a London court where forgers are being tried - he follows her to her lodgings, falls in love and marries her. Competent. (PB)

An announcement of the forthcoming second serialisation of His Natural Life in the Australian Journal. It includes excerpts from reviews of the book and an account of its publication history.