AURIOL: The Elixir of Life. Flashes of light passed before Auriol's eyes, and strange noises smote his ears. The furnace breathed forth flames and mephitic vapors; the spiral worm of the alembic became red hot, and seemed filled with molten lead; the skeletons grinned and gibbered; the monstrous sea-fish belched forth fire and smoke; the bald decapitated head opened its eyes, and fixed them, with a stony glare, on the young man; while the dead alchemist shook his hand menacingly at him. (Jacketless library hardcover.)

Author Biography

William Harrison Ainsworth (1805 - 1882) was an English historical novelist born at King Street in Manchester. He trained as a lawyer, but the legal profession held no attraction for him. While completing his legal studies in London he met the publisher John Ebers, at that time manager of the King's Theatre, Haymarket. Ebers introduced Ainsworth to literary and dramatic circles and to his daughter, who became Ainsworth's wife. Ainsworth briefly tried the publishing business, but soon gave it up and devoted himself to journalism and literature. His first success as a writer came with Rookwood in 1834, which features Dick Turpin as its leading character. A stream of 39 novels followed, the last of which appeared in 1881.