Allan Quatermain · Chapter
Note by George Curtis Esq. explained
George Curtis acknowledges receipt of the manuscript from his brother Henry Curtis, who was presumed dead.
What happens
George Curtis acknowledges receipt of the manuscript from his brother Henry Curtis, who was presumed dead. He notes that Henry and Good are alive and prosperous but have permanently separated themselves from England and their loved ones. The manuscript was posted from Aden, likely by Alphonse, whose fate remains unknown. George has been unable to locate Alphonse or find the accompanying letters.
Themes in this chapter
Grief and Loss
George Curtis expresses mixed feelings of relief and sorrow, knowing his brother is alive yet lost to him forever, cut off from home and family.
Adventure and Exploration
The manuscript's journey from the far centre of Africa to England underscores the theme of exploration and the perils of distant adventure.
Characters to notice
- Sir Henry Curtis
Referred to as 'my dear brother Henry Curtis' by George; presumed dead but now known to be alive and prosperous in Africa.
- Captain Good
Mentioned as being alive and strangely prosperous alongside Henry Curtis.
- Alphonse
The little Frenchman who likely posted the manuscript; his whereabouts and fate are unknown.
- George Curtis
The writer of the note, brother of Henry Curtis, who received and now publishes the manuscript.
Key passages
“The MS. of this history, addressed to me in the handwriting of my dear brother Henry Curtis, whom we had given up for dead, and bearing the Aden postmark, reached me in safety on December 20, 18—, or a little more than two years after it left his hands in the far centre of Africa”
The manuscript, written by my brother Henry Curtis—whom we thought dead—arrived safely on December 20, over two years after he sent it from deep in Africa.
George confirms receipt of the long-delayed manuscript from his presumed-dead brother.
“They have cut themselves off from old England and from their homes and their relations forever, and perhaps, under the circumstances, they were right and wise to do so.”
Henry and Good have permanently left England and their families, and given the situation, their decision may have been sensible.
George reflects on the finality of his brother's choice to remain in Africa.
“How the MS. came to be posted I have been quite unable to discover; but I presume, from the fact of its being posted at all, that the little Frenchman, Alphonse, accomplished his hazardous journey in safety.”
I cannot determine how the manuscript was mailed, but since it was posted, I assume Alphonse completed his dangerous journey safely.
George speculates that Alphonse survived to post the manuscript.