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The Virginians was first published between 1857 and
1859 as sequel of sorts to Henry Esmond, and
follows George and Harry Warrington, the twin
grandsons of Colonel Henry Esmond, growing up
on an estate in the American colony of Virginia. Set during the American Revolution, the twins eventually find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict, with George Siding with the American cause and Harry serving with the British. Much of the novel follows Harry as he travels to England and to his ancestral home of Castlewood. There, his fashionable but financially struggling cousins attempt to fleece him of his supposed fortune. Harry Furniss’s image features Harry Warrington's enslaved servant Gumbo, a comic figure who regularly embellishes tales of his master’s wealth
and his own exploits to anyone who will listen. He is however a gifted fiddler, making him a
favourite character at Castlewood Hall.
‘He played the fiddle so charmingly, that he set all
the girls dancing in Castlewood Hall, and was ever
welcome to a gratis mug of ale at the Three Castles in
the village, if he would but bring his fiddle with him.’
The Virginians, 1911, page 137
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