The History of Henry Esmond · Chapter
Whither in the Time of Thomas, Third Viscount, I Had Preceded Him as Page to Isabella explained
Henry Esmond, a young boy raised by French refugees in Ealing, is fetched by Father Holt and brought to London, then to Castlewood, where he meets his godfather Lord Castlewood and the intimidating Lady Castlewood.
What happens
Henry Esmond, a young boy raised by French refugees in Ealing, is fetched by Father Holt and brought to London, then to Castlewood, where he meets his godfather Lord Castlewood and the intimidating Lady Castlewood. The journey reveals Henry's mixed heritage and his early impressions of the grand household.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Kinship
Harry's ambiguous family ties: raised by a French refugee, called a 'little gentleman' by Uncle George, and brought to live with his godfather Lord Castlewood.
Memory and Nostalgia
Harry's faint recollections of a different country, a town with white houses, and a ship; the lasting melancholy of his unhappy childhood.
Religion and Morality
Contrast between Huguenot psalm-singing and Catholic practices; Father Holt's amusement at Harry's Lutheran hymn.
Characters to notice
- Henry Esmond
Young boy, called 'Little Frenchman,' being taken from Ealing to Castlewood; docile and affectionate, he learns English and forgets French.
- Father Holt
Priest and chaplain to Lord Castlewood; kind to Harry, questions him on the journey, and introduces him to the household.
- Lord Castlewood (Francis)
Third Viscount, Harry's godfather; a languid nobleman who gives Harry an orange and laughs at his hymn.
- Lady Castlewood
The Viscountess; heavily painted with white and red, wearing a tower of lace and borrowed curls, intimidating to young Harry.
- Blaise
French lackey who rides with Harry and makes sly comments about Harry's status.
- Tom Tusher
Portly clergyman, 'pillar' of Castlewood church, who bows low to Lord Castlewood.
- Mrs. Pastoureau
Step-mother figure to Harry at Ealing; neglectful and harsh, but cries when he leaves.
- Old Pincot
Referred to as 'Bon Papa Pastoureau,' the old French refugee who raised Harry; speaks of the 'Babylonish scarlet woman.'
Key passages
“as those tender twigs are bent the trees grow afterward”
Childhood experiences shape a person's character for life.
Reflects on the lasting impact of Harry's early unhappiness.
“the child could talk to him in his own language perfectly well: he knew it better than English indeed, having lived hitherto chiefly among French people”
Harry spoke French more fluently than English because he had grown up among French speakers.
Highlights Harry's French upbringing and his identity as the 'Little Frenchman.'
“Parbleu! my lord does not press himself”
My lord is in no hurry.
Blaise's comment on Lord Castlewood's leisurely pace during the journey.
