The Caxtons: A Family Picture — Volume 14

A reflective narrator opens the tale by pondering the nature of Fortune, invoking Dante’s celestial vision of fate as an angelic guide rather than a capricious deity. He weighs ancient opinions, likening chance to a shepherd who briefly appears to lead a lost army, then disappears, suggesting that destiny offers a single, decisive moment to seize one’s path. This philosophical framing sets a tone of introspection that underlies the family’s everyday dramas.

Leaving his parents behind, the young protagonist embarks for London with his seasoned Uncle Roland, seeking both adventure and practical counsel for the journey ahead. Their modest lodging in the City introduces a vivid portrait of the capital’s hidden rooftops, narrow alleys, and the peculiar charm of attic windows that glimpse the sky. Through these early observations, the story promises a blend of wit, social nuance, and the timeless quest to navigate life’s unpredictable currents.