The Empire Annual for Girls
Oh, how I love history. And books. And books from history.
Here’s a real gem: the contents of the 1911 edition of The Empire Annual for Girls, which should tell you a thing or two from the title alone.
THE CHRISTMAS CHILD — MRS G. DE HORNE VAIZEY
The story of a happy thought, a strange discovery, and a deed of love
ANNA — MRS MACQUOID
A girl’s adventure for a father’s sake
TO GIRLS OF THE EMPIRE — MRS CREIGHTON
Words of encouragement and stimulus to the daughters of the Nation
MY DANGEROUS MANIAC — LESLIE M. OYLER
The singular adventure of two young people
JIM RATTRAY, TROOPER — KELSO B. JOHNSON
A story of the North-West Mounted Police
MARY’S STEPPING ASIDE — EDITH C. KENYON
Self-sacrifice bringing in the end its own reward
A RACE FOR LIFE — LUCIE E. JACKSON
A frontier incident from the Far West
WHICH OF THE TWO? — AGNES GIBERNE
A question of duty or inclination
A CHRISTMAS WITH AUSTRALIAN BLACKS — J. S. PONDER
An unusual but interesting Christmas party described
MY MISTRESS ELIZABETH — ANNIE ARMITT
A story of self-sacrifice and treachery in Sedgemoor days
GIRL LIFE IN CANADA — JANEY CANUCK
Girl life described by a resident in Alberta
SUCH A TREASURE! — EILEEN O’CONNOR
How a New Zealand girl found her true calling
ROSETTE IN PERIL — M. LEFUSE
A girl’s strange adventures in the war of La Vendée
GOLF FOR GIRLS — AN OLD STAGER
Some practical advice to beginners and others
SUNNY MISS MARTIN — SOMERVILLE GIBNEY
A story of misunderstanding, patience, and reconciliation
WHILST WAITING FOR THE MOTOR — MADELINE OYLER
A warning to juvenile offenders
THE GRUMPY MAN — MRS HARTLEY PERKS
A child’s intervention and its results
DOGS WE HAVE KNOWN — LADY CATHERINE MILNES-GASKELL
True stories of dog life
DAFT BESS — KATE BURNLEY BENT
A tale of the Cornish Coast
A SPRINGTIME DUET — MARY LESLIE
A domestic chant for spring-cleaning days.
OUT OF DEADLY PERIL — K. BALFOUR MURPHY
A skating episode in Canada
THE PEARL-RIMMED LOCKET — M. B. MANWELL
The detection of a strange offender
REMBRANDT’S SISTER — HENRY WILLIAMS
A record of affection and self- sacrifice
HEPSIE’S XMAS VISIT — MAUD MADDICK
A child’s misdeed and its unexpected results
OUR AFRICAN DRIVER — J. H. SPETTIGUE
A glimpse of South African life
CLAUDIA’S PLACE — A. R. BUCKLAND
How Claudia changed her views
FAMOUS WOMEN PIONEERS — FRANK ELIAS
Some of the women who have helped to open up new lands
POOR JANE’S BROTHER — M. LING
The strange adventures of two little people
THE SUGAR-CREEK HIGHWAYMAN — ADELA E. ORPEN
An alarm and a discovery
DOROTHY’S DAY — M. E. LONGMORE
A day beginning in sorrow and ending in joy
A STRANGE MOOSE HUNT — H. WILLIAM DAWSON
A hunt that nearly ended in a tragedy
A GIRL’S PATIENCE — C. J. BLAKE
A difficult part well played
THE TASMANIAN SISTERS — E. B. MOORE
A story of loving service and changed lives
THE QUEEN OF CONNEMARA — FLORENCE MOON
An Irish girl’s awakening
Don’t we have a lot to ponder here? For a start, it’s definitely an attempt at spanning the British Empire. We have Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Africa, Ireland, even Tasmania(!). But that’s the stuff of serious academic study, as is the notable repetition of the topic of ‘self-sacrifice’ which implies much about the role of women in the Edwardian world.
Frankly, I’m more interested in the quirky stuff revealed by this treasure trove of story titles, teasers and authors. Different times, different values – including some that we shudder at.
For instance, who wouldn’t want to be called Somerville Gibney? I have no idea if the author of ‘Sunny Miss Martin’ can write or not, but imagine that moniker stretched along the top of your book. In gold foil. Embossed.
As for story titles, it’s hard to go past ‘My Dangerous Maniac’, although ‘A Strange Moose Hunt’ is a contender. ‘Rembrandt’s Sister’ is possibly an investigative report into the truly talented member of that the family. ‘The Grumpy Man’ might be lacking the sort of cachet that blockbuster movies have today, but its simple charm could attract readers.
Hours of fun, and if I can’t use Somerville Gibney as a pen-name, I’d be happy to settle for Kelso B Johnson.
About The Author
michael
I'm a writer of fantasy, mostly for Young Adults.