The Strand, 1887 (c) British Transport Museum As discussed in previous posts, much of Confessions of a Young Man is set in Paris and focusses upon different aspects of the literary and artistic scene in France at the end of the nineteenth century. However, half-way through the book the protagonist leaves Paris and moves to London. Whilst Confessions offers important space to consideration of English-speaking writers, such as Henry James, Thomas Hardy and Robert Louis Stevenson, it nevertheless remains strongly focussed upon France and French writers. Take Chapter 12, entitled 'Thoughts in a Strand Lodging', which opens: Awful Emma has undressed and put the last child away – stowed the last child away in some mysterious and unapproachable corner that none knows of but she; the fat landlady has ceased to loiter about my door, has ceased to pester me with offers of brandy and water, tea and toast, the inducements that occur to her landlady’s mind; the actress from the Savoy has