Son of a brewer in 18th century England, John Beavershaft aims to be a leader in brewing science by pioneering the use of the new instrument, the hydrometer. He is led into a marriage with a former actress placed by a pair of schemers who aim to take control of his father's brewery. At the same time he is busy using their capital to expand the brewery, using his own ideas and plans for novel equipment. He also successfully continues his scientific work in secret, and when his wife conceives a child all seems well in his life. But his father dies in surprising circumstances, and the schemers seem set to implement their plan. Can Beavershaft thwart them, and if he does what will he do about the unexpected threat from another quarter? This is his wife's former lover who had been sentenced to transportation through the wiles of the schemers. But he has escaped and may be waiting his chance to reclaim Beavershaft's wife, using riot and violence if necessary. And is John's scientific work as original as he thought?
The novel shows much about love, life and ambition in 18th century England, with vivid descriptions of both a small Hampshire town and the teeming, brawling, lawless city that was London at that time, as well as casting light on a significant period in English brewing history.
The novel shows much about love, life and ambition in 18th century England, with vivid descriptions of both a small Hampshire town and the teeming, brawling, lawless city that was London at that time, as well as casting light on a significant period in English brewing history.
