Episodes

  • The Caxtons Part 14 Chapters 1 and 2

    The Caxtons Part 14 Chapters 1 and 2
    Jun 27 2026
    In which the narrator reflects upon the nature of Fortune, aligning with Dante’s celestial and benevolent interpretation rather than the common belief in a blind, capricious power, and recounts his departure to London under the guidance of his prudent Uncle Roland. In which the narrator discovers the tranquil yet vivid world visible from a back attic window above the London streets, observing chimney-pots, desolate ruins, and scenes of human endeavour, all lending an almost poetic dignity to what the bustling city conceals beneath.
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 13 Chapter 6

    The Caxtons Part 13 Chapter 6
    Jun 26 2026
    In which two young souls find quiet solace amidst the shadows of a churchyard, sharing a tender moment touched by the mysterious melancholy of early spring evenings that softly stir the heart to reflection and unspoken yearnings. They speak of crystal visions and the delicate balance between dreaming and duty, resolved to bring light and comfort to those they cherish despite the silent waiting of sorrow.
    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 13 Chapter 5

    The Caxtons Part 13 Chapter 5
    Jun 25 2026
    In which a careful orchestration of comforts and occupations is arranged to ease the family into separation, uniting incomes and reviving social pleasures while inspiring the completion of a cherished literary work. Meanwhile, the distant world’s triumphs and sorrows reach the quiet household, imparting a solemn reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the strange reverence we hold for greatness touched by sudden death.
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 13 Chapters 3 and 4

    The Caxtons Part 13 Chapters 3 and 4
    Jun 24 2026
    In which the tender confidences between mother and son reveal the stirring ambitions that bind their hopes, setting the stage for a noble enterprise borne of love and duty. The narrative then gently unfolds the preparations for emigration, introducing a motley band of companions—each marked by singular traits and destinies—whom the young gentleman so carefully selects and endeavours to temper for the rugged fortunes that await them in the New World.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 13 Chapters 1 and 2

    The Caxtons Part 13 Chapters 1 and 2
    Jun 23 2026
    In which a young gentleman seeks to persuade his family of the virtue and necessity of his adventurous emigration, invoking philosophy, natural history, and filial affection to soften their resistance. The tender deliberations between father and son reveal the profundity of home ties and the quiet sorrow that attends the prospect of departure.
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 12 Chapters 6 and 7

    The Caxtons Part 12 Chapters 6 and 7
    Jun 22 2026
    In which a young Pisistratus Caxton reveals the restless ambition and physical vigour chafing against the stifling confines of academic and professional life in the Old World, seeking counsel on how to escape the sedentary intellect for more tangible fortune. In response, his friend Albert Trevanion warmly approves his impulse to emigrate, particularly to Australia, and offers prudent advice on preparation, capital, and companionship for the rugged venture ahead.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 12 Chapters 4 and 5

    The Caxtons Part 12 Chapters 4 and 5
    Jun 21 2026
    In which the Caxton family settles into their ancestral home with a mixture of prudent calculation and tender hope, as my mother endeavours to maintain a genteel and hospitable household amidst altered fortunes. The discourse on finances reveals the delicate balance between frugality and generosity, inspiring youthful aspirations to restore the family’s former glory and imbue their sombre dwelling with revived purpose.
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 12 Chapter 3

    The Caxtons Part 12 Chapter 3
    Jun 20 2026
    In which the gentle presence of Blanche brings a quiet harmony to the domestic life at the Caxtons, her tender sympathy and innocent fears intertwining with the old ruinous surroundings that inspire youthful fancy and solemn reflection. Together with Pisistratus and the lively spaniel Juba, she discovers a hidden chamber filled with the relics of a vanished childhood and a faded portrait that kindles both curiosity and a poignant sense of loss within their ancestral abode.
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins