The Amaranth

The Amaranth by Emily Percival is a mid-19th-century anthology originally published in 1853 and later reissued. This collection features a diverse range of prose fiction, verse, and dramatic sketches sourced from both contemporary and classical literature. It includes captivating tales such as Desdemona, The Heiress and Her Wooers, Sunshine, Bachelor Bim, The Schoolmaster's Story (From the Italian), The Stolen Child, The Gambler's Last Stake, The Temple of the Angels, and Queen Esther, exploring themes of truth, virtue, love, duty, sacrifice, and moral education. Interspersed with biblical and historical narratives, devotional pieces, and lyric poems, the anthology captures the Victorian-era sensibility—sentimental, didactic, and often moralistic—while showcasing a variety of settings and tones. Accompanied by engraved illustrations and editorial notes, this work reflects the era's appreciation for illustrated, morally instructive reading. The anthology also includes translations from German and Italian, along with original English pieces, providing insight into 19th-century editorial practices, print culture, and the market for 'gift books'.