Product Description

First published in 1898, THE CARDINAL'S SNUFF-BOX is the first of Henry Harland's "Catholic" novels after his conversion in 1897. A charming and witty romance set in turn-of-the-century Italy, SNUFF-BOX tells the story of Peter Marchdale, an English novelist who takes a small villa in the Lombard countryside for the purposes of getting some serious writing done. Marchdale's good intentions are quickly thwarted, however, when he discovers that his beautiful young landlady is none other than the Duchessa di Santangiolo, an Anglo-Italian widow with whom he has been secretly in love for years. Unfortunately for the self-deprecating Peter Marchdale, the Duchessa is also a fabulously wealthy noblewoman, far above him in social station, and a devout Catholic to boot--two circumstances which would appear to raise certain obstacles to Peter's romantic aspirations...until the matter is taken in hand by the Duchessa's wily old uncle, a Roman cardinal with a penchant for pinching snuff, and for matchmaking.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2892087 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 196 pages

Customer Reviews

A true `time lost' literary treasure
Original published in 1989, "The Cardinal's Snuff-Box is the first of Henry Harland's `Catholic' novels after his conversion to the Roman Catholic Church in 1897. Set in Italy, this is the story of English novelist Peter Marchdale who takes up residence in a small villa amidst the Lombard countryside. Intending to get some writing done, Marchdale finds himself distracted by his lovely young landlady whom he discovers is actually the Duchessa di Santangiolo, an Anlo-Italian widow that he has been secretly in love for years. The problem facing Marchdale is that she is wealth and far above him in social station. Fortunately for him, the lady's uncle is a Roman cardinal whose fondness for snuff is equaled by his flair for matchmaking! This new edition of "The Cardinal's Snuff-Box" from Idylls Press is a true `time lost' literary treasure that is once again made available to a whole new generation of readers and will serve to re-introduce Henry Harland as a gifted novelist deserving rescue from obscurity.