A Mixture of Frailties

A Mixture of Frailties, published by Macmillan in 1958, is the third novel in The Salterton Trilogy by Canadian novelist Robertson Davies. The other two novels are Tempest-Tost (1951) and Leaven of Malice (1954). The series was also published in one volume as The Salterton Trilogy in 1986.

The trilogy revolves around the residents of the imaginary town of Salterton, Ontario.

The protagonist, Monica Gall, is a working-class girl with a beautiful singing voice. When Louisa Bridgetower dies, she leaves instructions to start a trust for the education of a young woman, in Europe, until such time as her son has a male child. Monica becomes the beneficiary of the Bridgetower Trust, and goes to England to study with several teachers chosen for her by Sir Benedict Domdaniel, a theatrical knight who works as a conductor. At the same time, back in Salterton, Mrs. Bridgetower's son, Solomon, deals with maintaining the Bridgetower estate on limited funds, and attempting to have a child with his wife, Veronica, to satisfy the terms of the will.

The book was released to positive reviews, with Edmund Fuller, reviewing for the New York Times, saying "(Davies) is lavish with character and laughter, wise and perceptive about life and art, capable of touching the sorrowful as well. In short, from Canada, a thoroughly rewarding writer with a fine new book."