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First published in 1913, this volume contains insightful notes and sketches by the author of the people and places of various places in Europe, including France, England, Italy, and Switzerland. Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) was an English writer. Although he is perhaps best remembered for his popular novels, Bennett also produced work in other areas including the theatre, propaganda, journalism, and film. Other notable works by this author include: "Helen with a High Hand" (1910), "The Card" (1911), and "Hilda Lessways" (1911). Contents include: "Paris Nights: 1910", "Life in London: 1911", "Italy: 1910", "The Riviera: 1907", "Fontainebleau: 1904-1909", "Switzerland: 1909-1911", "England Again: 1907", "The Midlands 1910-1911", "The British Home: 1908", "Streets, Roads and Train: 1907-1909", etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with an essay from F. J. Harvey Darton's 1915 book, "Arnold Bennet".
About the author
Arnold Bennett was born on May 27, 1867, in Hanley, Staffordshire, which is now part of Stoke-on-Trent but was previously a separate municipality. He was the eldest of three boys and three daughters born to Enoch Bennett (1843-1902) and Sarah Ann, nee Longson (1840-1914). Enoch Bennett's early career was marked by ups and downs: following an unsuccessful attempt to start a pottery manufacturing and sales firm, he established himself as a draper and pawnbroker in 1866. Four years later, Enoch's father died, leaving him some money with which he apprenticed at a local legal business; in 1876, he became a solicitor. The Bennetts were strong Wesleyans who enjoyed music, culture, and socializing. Bennett attended the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem from 1877 to 1882, and then attended a grammar school in Newcastle-under-Lyme for one year. He was good at Latin and better at French; he had an inspirational headmaster who instilled in him a lifelong love of French literature and the French language. He excelled intellectually and passed Cambridge University exams, which may have led to an Oxbridge degree, but his father had other ideas. Bennett left school in 1883 at the age of 16 and began unpaid work at his father's business. He split his time between unpleasant occupations, such as rent collection, during the day and preparing for exams in the evening.
