Bones in London Informative Summary

Overview:

“Bones in London” is a fast-paced, humorous tale of a naive but lucky young man, Augustus Tibbetts, who inherits a fortune from his miserly uncle and dives headfirst into the world of London finance. He quickly finds himself entangled in a series of bizarre swindles and deals, involving everything from ships to gramophones to a cinema picture, all the while showing remarkable incompetence and a tendency to jump into ventures without understanding them. However, Bones is aided by his incredible luck and his surprisingly astute secretary, Marguerite, who helps him avoid financial ruin and even unravel a plot against him.

Despite his naivete, Bones has a knack for sensing opportunity, often buying and selling things at enormous profits without truly understanding the intricacies of the businesses he’s involved in. As the story progresses, he develops a more sophisticated understanding of the City’s underbelly, becoming a shrewd business player and even establishing his own detective agency. Along the way, he faces various challenges, including attempts to exploit him by shrewd businessmen, encounters with con artists, and even a surprising romantic entanglement with his secretary.

Key Findings:

The City of London is a complex and often ruthless world where those with money and connections often exploit those less fortunate.
Bones’s naivety and optimism are both his strengths and weaknesses. His lack of experience makes him vulnerable to deception, but his willingness to take risks and his inherent luck lead him to success.
Good intentions are not always enough to navigate the treacherous waters of finance, and even the most naive individuals can learn to protect themselves from exploitation.

Learning:

The importance of financial literacy: Bones’s success in the City despite his lack of experience is partly due to his good fortune, but also to his willingness to learn and adapt. He makes mistakes, but he also learns from them and becomes more savvy as the story progresses. This emphasizes the value of financial knowledge in any business venture.
The dangers of greed: Bones encounters numerous examples of people seeking to exploit him for financial gain, including the Pole Brothers and Mr. de Vinne. These encounters illustrate the dangers of greed and the importance of being wary of those who promise quick riches.
The value of a good secretary: Marguerite is crucial to Bones’s success. She is intelligent, resourceful, and possesses a sharp eye for detail. She helps him navigate the complexities of the City, warns him about potential scams, and even saves him from a disastrous purchase by the Stegg sisters.

Historical context:

The novel was published in 1921, a period of significant social and economic change in the UK following World War I. The City of London, once a hub of international finance, was undergoing a period of adjustment as the country transitioned from a wartime economy to a peacetime one. The story reflects the anxieties and opportunities of this period, with Bones’s adventures highlighting the rise of new financial players and the exploitation of those less savvy in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

Facts:

The City of London is the financial center of the UK. The novel portrays the city as a dynamic, fast-paced environment where money is king, and those who are not careful can easily be exploited.
Shipping stocks were volatile in the post-war period. This is evident in the Pole Brothers’ struggles to sell the Fairy Line ships, which they bought during the war but are now worth much less in the changed economic climate.
Jute was used for sandbags during World War I. The novel highlights the government’s unsuccessful attempt to sell off excess jute purchased during the war, illustrating the economic challenges faced by the country in the post-war years.
The cinema industry was experiencing a boom in the 1920s. Bones’s venture into cinema production highlights the growing popularity of silent movies and the excitement surrounding the new medium.
Private detectives were a common feature of London life. Siker’s Detective Agency, which Bones acquires, provides a glimpse into the world of private investigation, which was often used by wealthy individuals to keep tabs on their rivals or spouses.
The “Tibbetts-Jelf Motor Lamp” was a fictional invention. It highlights the boom in new technologies and innovations, particularly in the automobile industry, in the 1920s.
The Mazeppa Trading Company was a fictional company. The story uses the company as a means to showcase the exploitation of resources in Africa by European companies, particularly the trade in rubber and ivory.
The Lynhaven Railway was a fictional line. It illustrates the changing landscape of transportation in the post-war period, highlighting the rise of automobiles and the decline of some railway lines.
The Chinese Concession of Wei-hai-tai was a real event. The novel reflects the growing interest in China and its resources in the early 20th century, with the UK seeking to secure a foothold in the region.
The Chinese Commission’s visit was a real event. It highlights the international diplomacy and trade negotiations that were taking place in the 1920s, as the UK sought to strengthen its position in the global economy.
The government was facing criticism for wartime spending. The novel portrays a government struggling to manage the economic consequences of the war, facing questions about its spending and the value of its assets.
The Stock Exchange was a highly speculative environment. This is evident in the novel’s portrayal of the Mazeppa Trading Company, where shares fluctuate wildly based on rumors and insider information.
The West Coast of Africa was a region of significant economic activity. The story features several characters who have worked or are interested in this region, highlighting its importance in the global trade network.
The “N’gombi” is a fictional tribe. It reflects the European fascination with exotic cultures and the use of African tribal names in the early 20th century.
“Morning Glory” was a real racehorse. It is mentioned as part of a horse race bet between Morris and Seepidge, reflecting the popularity of horse racing and gambling in 1920s Britain.
The “King’s Arms” was a real pub in London. It is mentioned as a place frequented by Ali, Bones’s servant, who used it to spread tales of his master’s poetry.
The “Marylebone Registry Office” was a real location in London. It is the site of the fictional wedding between Jackson Hyane and Marguerite Whitland.
The “Great Northern” Railway was a real line. It is mentioned as a potential source for an engine to be used for a fictional railway collision in the novel.
“The Flame” was a real newspaper. It is mentioned as a satirical weekly review published in London.
The “Colydrome Syndicate” is a fictional organization. It is mentioned in relation to the purchase of a theatrical property by Tibbetts and Hamilton.
The “Ritz-Carlton” was a real hotel in London. It is mentioned as the location for a dinner between de Vinne and Fred Pole.
“The Kingsway Restaurant” was a real restaurant in London. It is mentioned as the location where de Vinne overheard a conversation between himself and a fellow-director that was later used to exploit Bones.

Statistics:

£107,402 12_s_. 7_d_: This is a fictional amount mentioned as part of the balance sheet of a company, illustrating the large sums of money involved in financial transactions in the 1920s.
£105,000: This is the price Bones paid for Browns, a chain of boot shops. This highlights the scale of his investments and his willingness to take large financial risks.
£17,500: This is the profit Bones made on his deal with de Vinne for the boot shops.
£1,000,000: This is the fictional amount that Bones is rumored to have paid for the government’s supply of jute.
£15,000: This is the price that de Vinne and his partners initially offered Bones for Stivvins’ Wharf, and the amount that Bones later offered to pay for the property.
£60,000: This is the amount that de Vinne and his partners offered to pay Bones to transfer the wharf to them.
£50,000: This is the amount that Bones believed he would make by reselling the government’s jute supply.
£2,000: This is the price Bones paid for the cinema company.
£6,000: This is the amount that the elderly man paid Bones for the cinema company.
£4,000: This is the amount that Hamilton invested in the Plover Light Car Company.
£15,000: This is the amount that Bones paid for Siker’s Detective Agency.
£14,000: This is the price Jackson Hyane was offered for a tea plantation.
£60,000: This is the price that Parkinson Chenney offered Bones for the Lynhaven Railway.
£2,000: This is Sanders’s annual salary as managing director of the Mazeppa Trading Company.
£5,000: This is the amount of shares that Sanders had to purchase to qualify as a director of the Mazeppa Trading Company.
£19_s_. 9_d_: This is the closing price of Mazeppa Trading shares, a significant increase from their previous value of twopence.

Terms:

Debenture Stock: Debt issued by a company that is secured by its assets.
Stock Exchange: The market where stocks and shares are bought and sold.
Dividend: A payment made to shareholders from the company’s profits.
Liquidation: The process of winding up a company and selling its assets.
Reconstruction: The process of reorganizing a company, often in response to financial difficulties.
Concession: A right granted to a company or individual by a government to exploit a resource or carry out an activity in a particular area.
Colonial Office: The government department responsible for overseeing the UK’s colonies.
Blackmail: The act of extorting money from someone by threatening to expose a secret or harmful information.
Speculation: The practice of buying and selling assets in the hope of making a profit from price fluctuations.
Eavesdropper: Someone who secretly listens to a conversation.

Examples:

The Fairy Line: This is a small shipping line that the Pole Brothers buy during the war, but are unable to sell at a profit after the war due to the changed economic climate. This illustrates the risks of wartime investment and the volatility of shipping markets.
Stivvins’ Wharf: This is a derelict property that the Pole Brothers and de Vinne attempt to exploit, but are thwarted by Bones’s intervention.
The Plover Light Car Company: This is a fictional company that Hamilton invests in, only to discover that it is a swindle.
The “Tibbetts-Jelf Motor Lamp”: This is a fictional invention that Jelf attempts to sell to Bones, highlighting the tendency for unscrupulous individuals to exploit new technologies for personal gain.
The Mazeppa Trading Company: This is a fictional company that Sanders becomes managing director of. It serves as an example of the exploitation of African resources by European companies and the challenges of managing a struggling business in a remote location.
The Lynhaven Railway: This is a fictional railway that Bones purchases from Parkinson Chenney, illustrating his tendency to jump into ventures without fully understanding them.
The Stegg Sisters: This is a duo of con artists who attempt to exploit Bones by getting him to sign a blank cheque.
The “Good Girl’s Legacy”: This is Bones’s fictional cinema picture, reflecting the growth of the cinema industry and the excitement surrounding the new medium.
“The Flame”: This is a satirical newspaper that Bones purchases and uses to expose various individuals and scandals, highlighting the power of the media to influence public opinion.
The Chinese Coal Concession of Wei-hai-tai: This is a real event mentioned in the story, illustrating the UK’s expanding influence in China and the scramble for resources in the early 20th century.

Conclusion:

“Bones in London” is a hilarious and often cynical look at the world of finance in post-war London. The novel’s central character, Augustus Tibbetts, is a naive but charming young man who possesses incredible luck and a knack for recognizing opportunities. Despite his lack of experience and tendency to jump into ventures without understanding them, Bones makes a fortune through a series of improbable deals, often aided by his capable secretary, Marguerite. The story highlights the dangers of greed, the importance of financial literacy, and the often unpredictable nature of the City of London. While Bones is a lovable but often foolish character, his story ultimately celebrates the power of luck, determination, and a bit of naivete to succeed in a world where sharp elbows and a willingness to take risks can lead to riches beyond imagination.

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