Reviews for History of Rome, Volume III

The average rating for History of Rome, Volume III based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2021-02-03 00:00:00 Douglas Hoblit 31st March-15th May: Starring Charlotte Grandison, the youngest sister, who marries after a whirlwind courtship, to a member of the Hertfordshire aristocracy, and she refuses to knuckle under! Much wordplay & discourse but little action. The fearsome Lady Olivia puts in an appearance, threatens a certain Somebody with a poinard, hidden in her corset, and the brother is bidden back to Bologna by the Della Poretta family. Miss Byron, meanwhile, continues to dote on an unavailable individual, yet refuses the overtures of an impressively titled matron for her involvement with the titled son. However, the object of her affections seems to be dependent on her for advice, including his lovelife, so very dispiriting! She returns home to Northamptonshire and the forlorn suitors reappear, still as creepy as ever! Meanwhile, Sir Charles acts as marital counsellor for the Beauchamp parents and talks his way around a very irritated Lady Beauchamp, stepmother of his best friend, to allow the stepson back into the family fold. Similar peacemaking efforts are applied to his ward's mother and stepfather to allow for Emily's custody issues to be resolved and a healthy communication is encouraged. Richardson goes on to discuss the idea of "Protestant Nunneries", but more in the idea of co-operative establishments for single women for their individual employment and personal support and nourishment rather than religious institutions. Another set of nuptials are facilitated with the remarriage of his maternal uncle, Lord W, to a member of the Mansfield clan, which reverses their declining fortunes spectacularly. The dastardly Sir Hargrave Pollexfen receives his just desserts near Mont Martre but is rescued by everybody's hero! The Grandison cousin is meanwhile discovered to be living incognito, having shacked up with a mistress, and succumbed to the loaded charms of the gaming tables: "Sharpers have bit his head off, quite close to his shoulders: they have not left it him to carry under his arm, as the honest patron of France did his. (Saint Denis) They lend it him, however, now-and-then to repent with, and curse himself." There's also a wildly imaginative account of a wintry traverse of the Alps to pass into Italy from France reputed to have been sourced elsewhere! (Letter XXX1X) The travellers arrive in Bologna and discover the ailing members of the Della Poretta family and start to assist in their recovery.

Review # 2 was written on 2018-01-29 00:00:00 Al Hale [ the pagans of Sussex are overlooked (hide spoiler)]