# Macpherson's Hotel explained — Phineas Redux

> Chapter companion for Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Phineas Finn visits Mr. Kennedy at Macpherson's Hotel to persuade him not to publish a defamatory letter about Lady Laura. Kennedy, in a maddened state, fires a pistol at Phineas, who narrowly escapes. Phineas then goes to Mr. Low's house to seek advice on stopping the publication, but Low argues that revealing the attack might only encourage the editor, Quintus Slide, to publish sooner.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scandal and Public Opinion

The threat of a published letter attacking Lady Laura highlights the power of the press to ruin reputations.

### Justice and Injustice

Phineas seeks to prevent an unjust publication, while Kennedy's madness complicates notions of culpability.

### The Cost of Ambition

Phineas's political and personal entanglements lead him into mortal danger.

## Character check-ins

### Phineas Finn

Visits Mr. Kennedy to stop the publication of a letter; survives an assassination attempt.

### Robert Kennedy

In a maddened state, fires a pistol at Phineas after refusing to withdraw his letter.

### Lady Laura Kennedy

Subject of the defamatory letter; Phineas acts on her behalf.

### Quintus Slide

Editor of the People's Banner; holds the printed letter and seeks to publish it.

### Mr. Low

Phineas's friend and legal advisor; counsels against telling Slide about the attack.

### Mrs. Macpherson

Landlady of Macpherson's Hotel; witnesses the aftermath of the shooting.

## Key lines

> The man is mad,” he said; “did you not hear the shot?”

Phineas declares Kennedy insane after the gunshot.

_Phineas's immediate reaction to the attack._

> I cannot bring her back to you.” “She’ll come if you tell her.

Kennedy insists Phineas can compel Lady Laura's return; Phineas refuses.

_The core of their confrontation before the shooting._

> He means to make capital out of his virtue; and he won’t give that up for the sake of being a day in advance.

Mr. Low argues that Slide will delay publication to maximize his moral leverage.

_Strategic advice from Mr. Low regarding the editor's motives._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxiii-macpherson-s-hotel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters