The George du Maurier Library

In which the narrator fondly recalls the enchanting evenings spent with Barty Josselin and his family, enveloped in music, poetry, and the warmth of companionship, set against the backdrop of their parting from school and Paris life. The narrative delicately portrays their diverging paths—Barty's military pursuits and societal circles, contrasted with the narrator's scientific ambitions—while capturing the charming rituals of their enduring friendship.

In which the narrator wistfully revisits the tender joys and trivial pursuits of youth spent at a French school, recalling friendships, examinations, and the poignant passage of time with a gentle mix of affection and melancholy. Amidst these reveries, the familiar surroundings of a stately English home provide a warm refuge, bathed in the comforting glow of memory and firelight.

In which the tribulations and small rebellions of schoolboy life at the Pension Brossard are gently unfolded, revealing a school governed by unyielding honour and punctuated by moments of youthful defiance and stern discipline. The narrative captures with affectionate detail the characters’ quirks and camaraderie, including a touching portrayal of Mademoiselle Marceline, whose kindness and beauty inspire tender affections among the boys.

In which the youthful Barty Josselin reveals himself as a spirited and mischievous lad, beloved by his confessor for his imaginative wit and sweet voice, while also mastering a secret shorthand system alongside the narrator. The year unfolds with Barty’s fascination for the sea, literary pursuits, and a memorable escapade involving a pre-dawn swim that ends in a lively chase through the school grounds.

In which the leisurely rhythms of school life and genteel camaraderie unfold with charming detail, painting a portrait of youthful diligence and the simple pleasures of friendship, family, and art. Interspersed with gentle humour and delicate observations on manners and character, the narrative captures a singularly happy, unremarkable year suffused with boyish mischief and moments of tender domesticity.

In which the sombre stillness of mourning at the loss of the beloved head-master is tenderly observed, as the boys and masters carry out their solemn farewells with a mixture of grief and reverence. Amidst this melancholy, a spirited yet affectionate quarrel between two schoolfellows breaks out, culminating in a heartwarming reconciliation that gently underscores the bonds of youth and friendship.

In which the tender complexities of youthful affection and mistaken hand-squeezes accompany the somber return to school under the dreary October skies, where the earnest resolve to excel in studies is warmly contrasted by the genial hospitality and charming idiosyncrasies of the Archibald Rohans. The narrative gently shifts to a sombre note with the sudden and silent passing of Père Brossard, casting a pall of grief upon the boys who find themselves suspended in an unnatural and hushed mourning.

In which a daring encounter with a bull reveals the brave but guileless character of young Barty, whose candid nature endears him to his companions despite the occasional troubles it invites. Following this, a charming and leisurely tour through the picturesque Loire country unfolds, filled with joyous festivities, genteel hospitality, and the tender moments of youthful affection beneath the evening stars.

In which we are gently ushered into the daily rhythms and quaint intimacies of life at the House of Laferté, where old Polyphemus's morning rituals and Barty's musical interludes paint a vivid tableau of camaraderie and simple pleasures. The narrative wanders into the shadowy depths of the nearby forest, revealing its haunting legends and evoking a wistful nostalgia for wild woods and bygone days filled with mysterious lore and rustic charm.

In which we are introduced to the singular household of M. Laferté, a towering and somewhat grim ironmaster turned mayor, whose rustic yet generous family welcomes the lively presence of Barty with gentle affection and good-humoured oversight. Their days are enlivened by shooting expeditions, whimsical entertainments, and the hearty camaraderie of meals where the boundaries between master and servant pleasantly dissolve.

In which the gentle turmoil of revolutionary Paris provides a striking backdrop to the narrator’s youthful days spent amidst familial affection and the captivating personality of Barty Josselin, whose charm effortlessly wins the hearts of those around him. As examinations approach, friendships deepen and the promise of a country retreat stirs the spirit with images of serene landscapes and rural delights, contrasting with the city's distant sounds of conflict.

In which the languid interval of a holiday spent within the confines of a Parisian school is enlivened chiefly by the gracious Bonzig, whose passionate tales of maritime adventure and kindly companionship offer a balm to the boys' restless spirits. As the term resumes, the innocent amusements of school games and evening stories are overshadowed by the distant rumblings of political upheaval that gather with ominous portent around the city.

In which the carefree wanderings and convivial joys of Parisian Sundays are recounted with affectionate detail, enlivened by music, fashion, and the charming antics of youthful camaraderie. The narrative captures a spirited moment of spontaneous street performance amidst the city’s curiosities before segueing into reflections on school examinations and the eager release of holiday freedom.

In which we become acquainted with the singular character of young Barty Josselin, a boy as generous in spirit as he is impervious to pain, whose lively escapades and friendships at the Institution F. Brossard paint a vivid picture of schoolboy camaraderie and the gentle trials of youth. The narrative reveals a quaintly detailed tableau of scholastic rigour, language lessons, and the refreshing pleasures of summer swimming, all tinted with the affectionate and observant eye of a nostalgic chronicler.

In which we become acquainted with a remarkable boy named Barty, whose curious and almost uncanny sense of direction bewilders even the learned, and whose spirited nature and fondness for physical prowess render him a singular figure among his schoolfellows. Through gentle observation, we perceive his flaws and foibles—his impulsiveness, pride in appearance, and peculiar tastes—interwoven with a tender humanity that endears him to those around him.

In which we are introduced to the delightful early years of Josselin, a boy of enchanting beauty and singular wit, whose spirited antics and endearing talents win the hearts of both masters and comrades alike in a Parisian schoolroom. His extraordinary gifts—ranging from uncanny musicality to an almost preternatural instinct for direction—render him a figure of unceasing admiration and gentle mischief, enlivening the narrative with a vivacious charm.

In which the narrator fondly recalls the vanished days of youth amidst the changing streets and residences of Passy, weaving a tender tapestry of memories centered on a certain fair-haired English boy whose lineage and early life are steeped in both romance and tragedy. The tale unfurls with delicate detail the bittersweet history of this boy’s parents, highlighting the passionate loves, duels, and sorrow that shaped his orphaned existence and led to his being taken in by well-to-do relatives with a flair for nurturing the delights of music and fondness.

In which the daily rhythms and disciplined regimen of a French boarding school are tenderly painted, capturing the hearty meals, rigorous studies, spirited games, and the varied social tapestry of boys drawn from many stations of life. Amidst this backdrop, the gentle kindness of the institution and its republican ideals quietly shape the youthful days of Monsieur Josselin and his comrades.

In which a new English boy, Bartholomiou Josselin, makes his peculiar and memorable entrance into a French boarding school, winning over both pupils and staff with his quiet charm and an unexpected white mouse. The narrative gently unfolds the everyday rigours and quaint customs of the institution, revealing a microcosm of youthful trials, friendships, and the smaller domestic details that paint a vivid picture of school life.

In which on a sweltering summer afternoon in 1847, a classroom at a Parisian institution hums with the bluster and fretfulness of boys enduring lessons in Latin and French under the watchful eyes of their masters, whilst the outside world drifts by through open windows scented with lime and lilac. Into this ordered scene breaks the arrival of a striking new English pupil, whose presence stirs a quiet sense of anticipation among the schoolboys and their teachers alike.

In which the narrator undertakes the noble and tender task of presenting a truthful and unvarnished portrait of an extraordinary man, whose gentle nature and boundless affection have left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him. With the tenderness of lifelong devotion and the humility of a plain speaker, he prepares to recount a story woven closely with his own, seeking simply to honour a cherished friend’s memory with sincerity and love.