Literature Network » Arthur Quiller-Couch » Lady Good-for-Nothing

Lady Good-for-Nothing


Advanced Search

A Man's Portrait of a Woman.

1910.

~

To My Commodore and old Friend Edward Atkinson, Esq.
of Rosebank,
Mixtow-by-Fowey.

~



NOTE

Some years ago an unknown American friend proposed my writing a story on
the loves and adventures of Sir Harry Frankland, Collector of the Port
of Boston in the mid-eighteenth century, and Agnes Surriage, daughter of
a poor Marble-head fisherman. The theme attracted me as it has
attracted other writers--and notably Oliver Wendell Holmes, who built a
poem on it. But while their efforts seemed to leave room for another, I
was no match for them in knowledge of the facts or of local details;
and, moreover, these facts and details cramped my story. I repented,
therefore and, taking the theme, altered the locality and the
characters--who, by the way, in the writing have become real enough to
me, albeit in a different sense. Thus (I hope) no violence has been
offered to historical truth, while I have been able to tell the tale in
my own fashion.

"Q."

~

Fan of this book? Help us introduce it to others by writing a better introduction for it. It's quick and easy, click here.

  • Quizzes on Lady Good-for-Nothing

    No quizzes available to take yet.

Please submit a quiz here.

Recent Forum Posts on Lady Good-for-Nothing

No active discussions on Quiller-Couch found. Why not post a question or comment yourself? Just click the link below.

Post a New Comment/Question on Lady Good-for-Nothing



Attention Bookworms:

Buying from Amazon.com? Check out the Amazon Coupons first so you get the best deal.

Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets!
Join our Sonnet-A-Day Newsletter and read them all, one at a time.
Email:
As Seen In: USA Today "Hot Sites"