Two Years Ago, Volume II.

"Two Years Ago, Volume II" by Charles Kingsley is a novel written in the early 20th century. This narrative follows various characters as they interact with issues of social class, personal identity, and the dynamics of community life. The book likely addresses themes of honor, duty, and the complexity of societal expectations. The opening of Volume II introduces the town of Aberalva as its citizens prepare for the return of Lord Frederick Viscount Scoutbush. The townspeople are bustling with excitement, setting up celebrations for the nobleman while Elsley, the main character, grapples with his feelings of inadequacy. The narrative humorously depicts Scoutbush’s pleasant demeanor and earnest attempts to engage with the townspeople, earning their affection. Meanwhile, the subplot unfolds with Tom Thurnall, a doctor who is both respected and distrusted, as he prepares for potential cholera outbreaks, revealing deeper themes of public health and social responsibility. The interactions among the characters set the stage for unfolding complexities within the community. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Kingsley was a broad church priest of the Church of England, a university professor, social reformer, historian, novelist and poet. He is particularly associated with Christian socialism, the working men's college, and forming labour cooperatives, which failed, but encouraged later working reforms.