Compton Mackenzie

Originally published in 1954 this volume looks at the difficulties encountered by the founders of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China in seeking, a hundred years ago, to establish the awakening countries of the East, British standard of financial probity and commercial integrity and then goes on to relate how the Bank was able to foster trade and industry in the lands to which its establishment was extended and to co-operate in the reform of archaic systems of currency.

With the spirited and unforgettable Sylvia Scarlett, a character acclaimed as being 'one of the few really great women in fiction', Compton Mackenzie brings us his very own Becky Sharp. Originally published in two volumes, this complete edition follows her fortunes from childhood and marriage, through her escape into prostitution and her later career as a singer and cabaret artiste, until at last she finds romance with Michael Fane. A tale weaved with Dickensian skill and humour in characterisation, THE ADVENTURES OF SYLVIA SCARLETT holds its place as one of the most vital and picaresque romances of the twentieth century.

Jenny Pearl, a dancer, falls in love with Maurice Avery, a young dilettante who leaves her when she refuses to become his mistress. Despairingly, she falls into a loveless marriage with Trewhella, a Cornish farmer who becomes insanely jealous when Avery reappears on the scene... Vivid, moving and ultimately tragic, CARNIVAL was first published in 1912 to wide critical acclaim, helping to establish Mackenzie as one of the foremost British novelists of his generation. It has since been filmed three times and adapted for the stage and as an opera.

It’s 1943 and the war has brought rationing to the Hebridean islands of Great and Little Todday. When food is in short supply, it is bad enough, but when the whisky runs out, it looks like the end of the world. Morale is at rock bottom. George Campbell needs a wee dram to give him the courage to stand up to is mother and marry Catriona. The priest, the doctor and, of course, the landlord at the inn are all having a very thin time of it. There’s no conversation, no jollity, no fun – until a shipwreck off the coast brings a piece of extraordinary good fortune …

Certain Aspects of Moral Courage is a book written by Compton Mackenzie, a Scottish novelist, playwright, and literary figure. The book explores the concept of moral courage and its importance in society. Mackenzie argues that moral courage is the ability to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity, and that it is essential for individuals and societies to uphold moral values and principles. The book is divided into several chapters, each exploring a different aspect of moral courage. Mackenzie examines the role of moral courage in politics, religion, literature, and everyday life. He also discusses the challenges and risks associated with standing up for one's beliefs, and the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of opposition. Throughout the book, Mackenzie draws on examples from history and literature to illustrate his points. He cites the courage of figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, as well as fictional characters like Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Certain Aspects of Moral Courage is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges readers to consider the importance of moral courage in their own lives and in society as a whole. It is a timeless work that remains relevant and inspiring today. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

In pre-War Europe, the expatriate inhabitants of Sirene are proud of their reputation for tolerance; the island is a haven for anyone seeking acceptance, quiet - and gossip. When the charming dilettante Count Marsac appears in their midst, the islanders accept him as one of their own, especially the Misses Pepworth-Norton, the aging lesbians who form social opinion on the island. But Marsac's vice is more shocking than anyone expected, and when the rumours start to fly, the island community comes close to breaking apart. Compton Mackenzie set Vestal Fire, first published 1927, on the island of Capri (fictionalised as Sirene), where he had lived while finishing Sinister Street in 1913-14. In those years it was an island of exiles and expatriates, settled by gay men and women looking for tolerance, and artists and writers seeking inspiration.

Chester Royde, an American millionaire, travels to Scotland with his new bride Carrie and sister Myrtle, to find out more about Carrie's Scottish ancestry.