Penelope's English Experiences Being Extracts from the Commonplace Book of Penelope Hamilton

"Penelope's English Experiences" by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin is a humorous travelogue written in the late 19th century. The work presents the experiences of Penelope Hamilton, an American woman navigating English society alongside her friends, Salemina and Francesca, during their time in London and the countryside. The book delves into cultural observations, social interactions, and the humorous trials of adapting to British customs. The opening of "Penelope's English Experiences" introduces us to the main character, Penelope, and her companions as they settle into Smith's Hotel in London. The setting establishes their dynamic: Penelope as a struggling artist, Salemina as a philanthropist, and Francesca as a carefree young woman enamored with the lavishness of their surroundings. Their initial focus on deciphering the hotel's weekly bill highlights their cultural misunderstandings, particularly in relation to British currency. Through witty observations and a light-hearted tone, the narrative sets the stage for Penelope's humorous critique of English society, her own internal struggles, and the endearing quirks of her companions and the people they encounter. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Kate Douglas Wiggin was an American educator, author and composer. She wrote children's stories, most notably the classic children's novel Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and composed collections of children's songs. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878. With her sister during the 1880s, she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Kate Wiggin devoted her adult life to the welfare of children in an era when children were commonly thought of as cheap labor.