The Clockmaker | Page 2

a series of letters to the "Nova Scotian" newspaper, in 1835. The contributions were collected into the present volume in 1837, and were eagerly read, both in America and in England, the wit of the book making it equally enjoyable on both sides of the water, while its pointed reflections raised a good deal of angry discussion also. Perhaps the most vehement attack which his writings received from the side of purely literary criticism was a review by C. C. Felton in the "North American Review," in which the critic spoke in tones of great disgust at the entire conception and execution of the character of Sam Slick. Quite possibly some of Professor Felton's severity drew its strength from a personal regard for Mr. Everett, who figures rather poorly in Judge Haliburton's pages. There was so little, however, of discriminating criticism at that time by American writers, that it is not easy to determine just how the book was measured by our countrymen. Probably it was hardly looked upon as literature by the scholar, and the ordinary reader did not mar his pleasure in the fun by looking at it too critically.
The vein was worked by the author with less success in "The Attache, or Sam Slick in England," where the violent improbability of the plan, involving an offensive contrast between the English and American characters, leaves the really clever parts of the book less attractive. In addition to these Judge Haliburton published several volumes bearing upon colonial manners and history: "Bubbles of Canada;" "The Old Judge, or Life in a Colony;" "Historical and Statistical account of Nova Scotia;" "Rule and Misrule of the English in America;" "Letters to Lord Durham." His more strictly humourous writings include "Nature and Human Nature;" "Wise Saws;" "The Letter Bag of the Great Western."

CONTENTS.
Slick's Letter I. The Trotting Horse II. The Clockmaker III. The Silent Girls IV. Conversations at the River Philip V. Justice Pettifog VI. Anecdotes VII. Go Ahead VIII. The Preacher that Wandered from His Text XI. Yankee Eating and Horse Feeding X. The Road to a Woman's Heart--The Broken Heart XI. Cumberland Oysters Produce Melancholy Forebodings XII. The American Eagle XIII. The Clockmaker's Opinion of Halifax XIV. Sayings and Doings in Cumberland XV. The Dancing Master Abroad XVI. Mr. Slick's Opinion of the British XVII. A Yankee Handle for a Halifax Blade XVIII. The Grahamite and the Irish Pilot XIX. The Clockmaker Quilts a Bluenose XX. Sister Sall's Courtship XXI. Setting up for Governor XXII. A Cure for Conceit XXIII. The Blowin' Time XXIV. Father John O'Shaughnessy XXV. Taming a Shrew XXVI. The Minister's Horn Mug XXVII. The White Nigger XXVIII. Fire in the Dairy XXIX. A Body Without a Head XXX. A Tale of Bunker's Hill XXXI. Gulling a Bluenose XXXII. Too many Irons in the Fire XXXIII. Windsor and the Far West

SLICK'S LETTER.
[After these sketches had gone through the press, and were ready for the binder, we sent Mr. Slick a copy; and shortly afterwards received from him the following letter, which characteristic communication we give entire--EDITOR.]
To MR. HOWE,
Sir--I received your letter, and note its contents; I ain't over half pleased, I tell you; I think I have been used scandalous, that's a fact. It warn't the part of a gentleman for to go and pump me arter that fashion and then go right off and blart it out in print. It was a nasty dirty mean action, and I don't thank you nor the Squire a bit for it. It will be more nor a thousand dollars out of my pocket. There's an eend to the clock trade now, and a pretty kettle of fish I've made of it, havn't I? I shall never hear the last on it, and what am I to say when I go back to the States? I'll take my oath I never said one half the stuff he has set down there; and as for that long lochrum about Mr. Everett, and the Hon. Alden Gobble, and Minister, there ain't a word of truth in it from beginnin' to eend. If ever I come near hand to him agin, I'll larn him--but never mind, I say nothin'. Now there's one thing I don't cleverly understand. If this here book is my "Sayin's and Doin's," how comes it your'n or the Squire's either? If my thoughts and notions are my own, how can they be any other folks's? According to my idee you have no more right to take them, than you have to take my clocks without payin' for 'em. A man that would be guilty of such an action is no gentleman, that's flat, and if you don't like it, you may lump it--for I don't vally him, nor you neither, nor are a Bluenose that ever stepped in shoe leather