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Archibald Malmaison

by Julian Hawthorne (1846–1934)

  • Free to read
  • 2 hours to read
  • 14 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"Archibald Malmaison" by Julian Hawthorne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story introduces us to Archibald Malmaison, the second son of a baronet, who exhibits peculiar and enigmatic traits throughout his early life. The narrative revolves around the extraordinary changes in his character and intellect, particularly after a mysterious "fit," leading to his reawakening and the exploration of his family's history intertwined with intriguing elements of magic and psychological depth. The opening portion of the book sets the stage for Archibald's bizarre existence, beginning with reflections on the nature of truth versus artistic storytelling. The narrative describes Archibald's unusual early development, marked by neglect and peculiar behaviors, as his family struggles to understand him. After a significant fit, he emerges with a newfound intelligence and consciousness, yet this transformation leads to deeper complications in his relationships, particularly with his family and the beautiful Kate Battledown. This early segment captures a sense of foreboding and curiosity, foreshadowing Archibald's journey of self-discovery and the magical elements tied to his family's lineage, all of which promise to unfold in the ensuing chapters.

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  • England · Social life and customs · 19th century
  • Science fiction, American
  • Aristocracy (Social class)

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Chapter I

Archibald Malmaison was the second son of Sir Clarence Butt Malmaison, of Malmaison, Sussex. He had the odd distinction of being born on the 29th of February, 1800. His elder brother, Edward, born 1798, died before him, as will be hereinafter shown. There were no other brothers, but four girls appeared after Archibald, two of whom died in childhood of scarlet fever, while the other two grew up to be married. They have nothing to do with the story, and will not be mentioned again.

The Malmaisons, as their name denotes, were of French descent—Huguenots. Like many other emigrants, they yielded, in the course of a generation or two, to a barbarous mispronunciation of their patronymic, which came to be spoken of as if spelt "Malmsey."

How it happened that the chateau of the Empress Josephine was christened by the same name, I know not; at all events, the Sussex Malmaisons have prior claim to the title. The estate, which embraced between seven and eight hundred acres, lay in that portion of the county which borders upon the junction line of Kent and Surrey. Colonel Battledown, the Peninsular soldier, owned the adjoining estate in Kent; while the Surrey corner was occupied, at the epoch of this story, by the Honorable Richard Pennroyal—he whose father, Lord Epsom, is said to have won ninety thousand pounds from Fox in a single night's play. The three families had been on a friendly footing with each other ever since the early part of the reign of George III.

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Contents

  1. Front Matter
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III
  5. Chapter IV
  6. Chapter V
  7. Chapter VI
  8. Chapter VII
  9. Chapter VIII
  10. Chapter IX
  11. Chapter X
  12. Chapter XI
  13. Chapter XII
  14. Chapter XIII

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About this edition

This free edition of Archibald Malmaison by Julian Hawthorne comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #7344, released 2005-01-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Novels.

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