The Search After Happiness

Including Introductory Essays by G. K. Chesterton and Virginia Woolf

Charlotte Brontë

• Publisher: Classic Books Library
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9781528782029
• Topic: Literatura
• Subtopic: Clásicos

"The Search After Happiness" is a 1829 novel by Charlotte Brontë. Written when the author was just thirteen years old, it is a disturbing tale of mysterious men and enslaving creatures that poses many questions but answers few. An uncanny insight into the mind of a young literary genius, "The Search After Happiness" is not to be missed by those who have read and enjoyed other works by this author. Charlotte Brontë (1816 – 31 March 1855) was an English novelist and poet, and the oldest sister in the world-famous trio of literary sisters. Along with her sisters', her novels have become irrefutable classics of English literature still read and enjoyed by people of all ages the world over. Other notable works by this author include: "Jane Eyre" (1847), "Shirley" (1849), and "Villette" (1853). Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this classic volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a biography of the author by G. K. Chesterton, as well as essays by Virginia Woolf.

CHAPTER I

NOT many years ago there lived in a certain city a person of the name of Henry O'Donell, in figure he was tall of a dark complexion and searching black eye, his mind was strong and unbending his disposition uncosiable and though respected by many he was loved by few. the city where he resided was very great and magnificent it was governed by a warior a mighty man of valour whose deeds had resounded to the ends of the earth. this soldier had 2 son's who were at that time of the seperate age's of 6 and 7 years Henry—O'Donell was a nobleman of great consequence in the city and a peculiar favourite with the governor before whose glance his stern mind would bow and at his comand O'Donells selfwill would be overcome and while playing with the young princes he would forget his usual sulleness of demeanour the day's of his childhood returned upon him and he would be a merry as the youngest who was gay indeed. one day at court a quarrel ensued between him and another noble words came to blows and O'Donell struck his oponent a violent blow on the left cheek at this the miliatry King started up and commanded O'Donell to apologize this he imediatly did, but from that hour the spell of discontent seemed to have been cast over him and he resolved to quit the city. the evening before he put this resolution into practise he had an interview with the King and returned quite an altered man. before he seemed stern and intractable now he was only meditative and sorrowful as he was passing the inner court of the palace he perceived the 2 young princes at play he called them and they came runing to him. I am going far from this city and shall most likely never see you again said O'Donell. where are you going? I canot tell then why do you go away from us why do you go from your own house and lands from this great and splendid city to you know not where because I am not happy here. And if you are not happy here where you have every thing for which you can whish do you expect to be happy when you are dying of hunger or thirst in a desert or longing for the society of men when you are thousands of miles of miles From any human being. how do you know that that will be my case? it is very likely that it will. and if it was I am determined to go. take this then that you may sometimes rememberus when you dwell with only the wild beast of the desert or the great eagle of the mountain, said they as they each gave him a curling lock of their hair yes I will take it my princes and I shall rember you and the mighty warrior King your father even when the angel of Death has stretched forth his bony arm against me and I am within the confines of his dreary kingdom the cold damp grave replied O'Donell as the tears rushed to his eyes and he once more embraced the little princes and then quitted them it might be for ever——

CHAPTER THE II

THE Dawn of the next morning found O'Donell on the sumit of a High mountain which overlooked the city he had stopped to take a farewell view of the place of his nativity. all along the eastern horizon there was a rich glowing light which as it rose gradually melted into the pale blue of the sky in which just over the light there was still visible the silver crescent of the moon in a short time the sun began to rise in golden glory casting his splendid radiance over all the face of nature and illuminating the magnificent city in the midst of which towering in silent grandeur there appeared the Palace where dwelt the mighty Prince of that great and beautiful city. all around the brazen gates and massive walls of which there flowed the majestic stream of the Guadima whose Banks where bordered by splendid palaces and magnificent gardens behind these stretching for many a league were fruitful plains and forests whose shade seemed almost impenetrable to a single ray of light while in the distace blue mountains were seen raising their heads to the sky and forming a misty girdle to the plains of Dahomey. on the whole of this grand and beautiful prospect [4]O'Donells gaze was long and fixed but his last look was to the palace of the King and a tear stood in his eye as he said ernestly may he be preserved from all evil may good attend him and may the cheif Geni spread their broad sheild of protection over him all the time of his sojourn in this wearisome world. then turning round he began to decend the mountain he pursued his way till the sun began to wax hot when he...