Title: In my solitary life
First published: 1953
Description: Abridged edition of the second three volumes of the original 6 volume work as edited by Malcolm Barnes. This is a sequel to his The Years with Mother. Augustus Hare (1834-1903) was adopted by his extremely pious paternal aunt Maria and lived and travelled with her until he was an adult and after. He wrote guide books to many of the most popular areas visited by travellers to Europe, especially France and Italy, as well as biographies of members of his family. His real interest today is as an indiscreet, gossipy and detail-loving observer of the lives and social conditions of members of his class and circle which included members of the aristocracy. The extreme religiosity of his Aunt Maria is scarcely credible nowadays and though it had a lasting effect on his life, her (to us now) apparent cruelties were accepted by Hare and he was devoted to her.   He was bereft when she died in 1870, a loss he seems to have compensated for by travelling more widely and staying with friends and family both in England and Europe. Both are fascinating and entertaining reads.
Somerset Maugham knew Hare and his essay on him is published in Maugham's In Vagrant Mood.
Places: England, social life, social conditions, travel
People: Malcolm Barnes (1909-), Augustus Hare (1834-1903)
Time periods: 1870-1900