The Channings

by Mrs. Henry Wood

"Bywater tells me that he left his clean surplice in the vestry this morning. This afternoon it was found thrown behind the screen, tumbled together, beyond all doubt purposely, and partially covered with ink. I ask, who has done this?" "I have not, sir," burst forth from most of the boys simultaneously. The seniors, of whom there were three besides Gaunt, remained silent. But this was nothing unusual; for the seniors, unless expressly questioned or taxed with a fault, did not accustom themselves to a voluntary denial. "I can only think this has been the result of accident," continued the head-master. "It is incredible to suppose any one of you would wantonly destroy a surplice. If so, let that boy, whoever he may have been, speak up honourably, and I will forgive him. I conclude that the ink must have been spilt upon it, I say accidentally, and that he then, in his consternation, tumbled the surplice together, and threw it out of sight behind the screen. It had been more straightforward, more in accordance with what I wish you all to be - boys of thorough truth and honour - had he candidly confessed it. But the fear of the moment may have frightened his better judgment away. Let him acknowledge it now, and I will forgive him; though of course he must pay Bywater for another surplice." A dead silence.

Genres: Victorian, Fiction, Classics, British Literature

458 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1862

About the author

Ellen Wood (née Price) was an English novelist, better known as "Mrs Henry Wood". She wrote over 30 novels, many of which (especially East Lynne), enjoyed remarkable popularity. Among the best known of her stories are Danesbury House, Oswald Cray, Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles, The Channings, Lord Oakburn's Daughters and The Shadow of Ashlydyat. For many years, she worked as the proprietor and editor of the Argosy.

Reviews

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book in many ways, but the underlying ideas and the irritating piety (piety in the negative sense - there was a time that piety had positive connotations, I don't know that that's true anymore) and then the camel-straw - everything to do with Charlie, really took away from my initial enjoyment. I do not believe anyone is "beyond the pale", never mind an entire family. Nor does the way one is raised determine one's destiny - it has influence, sure, but there are many other factors at work as well.

For all my irritation the story kept me going right to the end - well, to the second-to-last-chapter anyway. The end was drawn out too long.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a beautiful 1904 copy of this at an antique store. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more from Ellen Wood

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020: I like solo readings better than collaborations but the story carried me on. And there was much more to think about then the very interesting (if possibly improbable) plot! Very glad to have stumbled on this book. (Or was it Providence)

2023: I'm not sure why I chose reread this just now. But I find I feel much the same as I did three years ago.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: written in 1862. A theft occurs and one brother takes the blame for the other.

[Huda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a bad book really, but somehow I've lost interest in it and I couldn't keep on reading it.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh, I remember loving this book everytime I've read it.
I have a very old "Reader's Library" edition - obviously
abridged but it is still a page turner. There are no smoking
guns or grisly violence - in fact a family's whole honour turns
on the disappearance of a ten pound note.
The Channings are held in such high regard in the sleepy Cathedral
town of Helstonleigh but young Charley Channing is not thought much
of by his school fellows. Led by bullying Gerald Yorke he is
constantly teased, called "Miss Charley" and when the book begins
is deeply involved in the "ink on the surplice" scandal. Seems to be a
common theme of Mrs. Wood's books (some that I have read anyway)
- the ostracizing of young boys who are almost saints in their
own family's, the town's and even the author's eyes and bullied
unmercifully by their peers - in fact in one (I'm pretty sure it
was "Mildred Arkell") the child even died!!
Anyway things go from bad to worse with Charley until a prank
gone perilously wrong has most of the town believing that he is
drowned. With Charley disappearing for most of the book and the
family in deep despair the last thing they need is yet another
trouble but get it they do (in spades!!) Their golden boy (yes,
another one!) Arthur, is accused of being a thief when the petty
cash tin (where he works) is robbed of a 10 pound note after a
street parade has drawn all of the staff's attentions to the
window. It is completely clear to any idiot that it has to be
Roland Yorke - he is lazy, disliked in the town and after the
theft absconds to the Colonies!! - yet Arthur is the only one
who stands up for him. I suppose because it looks so obvious it
is still a shock when Roland is finally unmasked - if he is such
a "jolly decent fellow" as Arthur proclaims why did he just sit
back and let Arthur be blamed. Somehow "I thought I would have
enough time to put it back" doesn't quite cut it.
Apart from the riveting "East Lynne" there is an awful lot of
moralizing in Mrs. Henry Wood's books and "The Channings" is no
exception.