This book is part history and part an account of the daily life of a large aristocratic family with homes in Roxburghshire in Scotland, and in Easton Square in London. The story is told primarily by the Earl and Countess of Minto, their five sons- a diplomat, MP, soldier, sailor and lawyer- along with the daughters' governess. The action takes place in Britain and across the world, in such places as Brazil and Uruguay, Morocco, China, Russia, Corfu, the Crimea, Bulgaria, Prussia, Italy, Sicily and the Vatican. It includes colourful descriptions of crises and revolutions as well as the consequences of the fortunate marriage made by one of the Elliot daughters to a future British prime minister.
