Henry, Michael. The Lesson of Life, a Fancy

(ANGLO-JUDAICA)

(London)

2nd March, 1849

Unpublished manuscript (short story) in English

Michael Henry (1830-1875) was a distinguished man of letters who figured prominently in Anglo-Jewish affairs. From 1868 until the time of his death he seved as the editor of the Jewish Chronicle. He was a member of the Jews’ College Council and of the Board of Deputies, and was Honorary Secretary and personal supervisor of the Stepney Jewish Schools of London. A number of his essays were collected and published under the title “Life Thoughts.” See JE, Vol. VI, pp. 349-50. The present short story, "The Lesson of Life," concerns a Mr. Grey of Darksleigh (a fictional manufacturing town in England) who suffers the proverbial tribulations of Job, namely loss of wife and child after child, and is finally reunited with his orphaned niece, Madeline, eighteen years of age. A surprise ending awaits the reader... The manuscript represents the earliest known literary manuscript by Michael Henry, written when he was 19 years of age