This sixth and final installment of Laura E. Richards' Margaret Series might just as easily be considered the sixth volume of her Hildegarde Series, featuring as it does so many characters from that earlier cycle of books, and indeed, they appear to have been referred to as the "Hildegarde-Margaret" series, in some contemporary advertisements. Howsoever that may be, The Merryweathers is an enjoyable conclusion to both, setting out the story of a summer in a lakeside camp with that eponymous family, first seen in Hildegarde's Neighbors. In addition to the Merryweathers themselves - Mr. and Mrs. Merryweather, college girl Bell, twin brothers Gerald and Phil, Gertrude (AKA "The Snowy Owl"), and youngsters Kitty and Willy - Margaret and Peggy Montfort appear, as do Colonel and Jack Ferrars. Through the pleasant and mostly calm days - a notable exception being provided during the visit of the insufferable Claud Belleville - the Merryweathers and their friends enjoy their time together, playing games both imaginative and corporeal, and, in the case of quite a few of them, slowly pairing off. There is, after all, as young Willy Merryweather notes toward the end of the book, quite a bit of "spooning" going on in camp...

I enjoyed this finale, which, much like Fernley House, brought together characters from both of Richards' series, and which offered some romantic conclusions to a number of the characters' stories. The romance of Gerald and Margaret, begun in Margaret Montfort and continued in Fernley House, becomes much more serious here, while Jack Ferrars and Bell Merryweather become engaged, and Phil and Peggy look like they are headed in the same direction. I was rather surprised, truth be told, that no mate was found for Gertrude, but then, perhaps Richards didn't intend this to be her final visit with these characters. I was struck, during the course of my reading, by how intellectually challenging and engaged the Merryweather family and their extended circle were. Impromptu games involving quickly-composed poetry, naming favorite quotations about the moon - Shelley, Milton, Browning, Longfellow, and Mother Goose all appear, in this context - and the singing of German lieder all featured in their day-to-day activities. Different expectations from a different time! I was also very interested in the discussion of feminine and masculine power that the girls have, midway through the book, as Margaret (who has always struck me as the author's personal favorite, and her mouthpiece, within the series) argues for the Victorian ideal of womanly influence, through feeling. Weakness as strength, and so on.

All in all, this provided another pleasant reading interlude, with engaging characters, and the occasional moment of historical and sociological interest. How I wish that Richards had written more! I may have to dig around, and see if any of her other series look promising. ( )