No royal road: or, The thing that lies the nearest. A story for girls.: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
No royal road: or, The thing that lies the nearest. A story for girls.: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
No royal road: or, The thing that lies the nearest. A story for girls. is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Burch, Florence E. (1856–1918).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"No royal road : or, The thing that lies the nearest. A story for girls." by Burch is a moral coming‑of‑age novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers on Lilla, an orphan living with her grandmother, and Margie, a sturdy village girl, as both discover that true greatness is found in humble duties, patience, and Christian kindness. With guidance from a kindly clergyman and a gentle governess, the tale contrasts ambition and class with everyday service. It suits readers who enjoy heartfelt Victorian domestic fiction with a clear ethical thread. The opening of the story introduces a picturesque lodge where Lilla is lovingly raised by Mrs. Eden, whose health is beginning to fail, and sets a reflective tone through scenes of spring, home routines, and a fleeting excitement over a runaway pony. A parallel thread presents Margie’s crowded, working‑class home, her Sunday solace in church, and a brief exchange with the clergyman about work, rest, and purpose. A stormy afternoon visit from Mr. Munro gives Lilla the book’s motto—“Do the work that lies the nearest”—spurring her to early rising, practical help, and renewed diligence, even as her grandmother decides to hire a maid. Lilla and Margie meet, grow shyly friendly, and their lives intertwine: Lilla studies intensely under Miss St. Ives while learning patience in twilight hours with her grandmother; Margie’s hopes to “get on” are tested by her brother’s illness and a cousin’s shallow advice. When Margie’s mother falls sick, Lilla quietly takes over the housework so Margie can care for her family and still receive her wages, deepening their bond. By year’s end, with Margie back, the theme sharpens as a sermon on greatness as service echoes the lesson both girls are learning through small, faithful acts.
Book and edition facts
- Title: No royal road: or, The thing that lies the nearest. A story for girls.
- Author credits: Burch, Florence E. (1856–1918)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Children and death -- Juvenile fiction
- Christian life -- Juvenile fiction
- Friendship -- Juvenile fiction
- Grandmothers -- Juvenile fiction
- Household employees -- Juvenile fiction
- Loneliness -- Juvenile fiction
- Orphans -- Juvenile fiction
- Self-culture -- Juvenile fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Children & Young Adult Reading
- Category: Novels
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Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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