The Clockmaker

by Thomas Chandler Haliburton

Overview

Venture into the world of 19th-century Canada with Thomas Chandler Haliburton's "The Clockmaker," a collection of witty and insightful short stories. Meet Sam Slick, the quick-witted and ever-resourceful Yankee clock peddler, as he traverses the Nova Scotian countryside, dispensing his unique brand of homespun philosophy and shrewd observations.

Through humorous anecdotes and satirical tales, Haliburton offers a sharp social commentary on Canadian life, manners, and values. "The Clockmaker" is a foundational work of Canadian literature, celebrated for its clever use of dialect, its memorable characters, and its enduring exploration of cultural identity. This meticulously prepared print edition allows readers to rediscover the timeless appeal of Sam Slick and his adventures. A classic of humorous fiction and Canadian literary history, these stories provide a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era, delivered with a generous dose of wit and charm.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023039505
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/28/2025
Pages:	122
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.31(d)

About the Author

Richard A. Davies is Professor Emeritus of English and Theatre at Acadia University.

Read an Excerpt

[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 aint 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 on it, hav’nt 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…. Now folks say you are a considerable of a candid man, and right up and down in your dealins, and do things above board, handsum — at least so I’ve hearn tell. That’s what I like; I love to deal with such folks. Now spose you make me an offer?

You’ll find me not very difficult to trade with, and I don’t know but I might put off more than half of the books myself, tu. I’ll tell you how I’d work it. I’d say, “Here’s a book they’ve namesaked arter me, Sam Slick the Clockmaker, but it tante mine, and I can’t altogether jist say rightly whose it is…. It wipes up the Blue Noses considerable hard, and don’t let off theYankees so very easy neither, but it’s generally allowed to be about the prettiest book ever writ in this country; and although it aint altogether jist gospel what’s in it, there’s some pretty home truths in it, that’s a fact. Whoever wrote it must be a funny feller, too, that’s sartin; for there are some queer stories in it that no soul could help larfin at, that’s a fact. Its about the wittiest book I ever seed. Its nearly all sold off, but jist a few copies I’ve kept for my old customers. The price is just 5s. 6d. but I’ll let you have it for 5s. because you’ll not get another chance to have one.” Always ax a sixpence more than the price, and then bate it, and when Blue Nose hears that, he thinks he’s got a bargain, and bites directly. I never see one on ’em yet that didn’t fall right into the trap.

Yes, make me an offer, and you and I will trade, I think. But fair play’s a jewel, and I must say I feel ryled and kinder sore. I han’t been used handsum atween you two, and it don’t seem to me that I had ought to be made a fool on in that book, arter that fashion, for folks to laugh at, and then be sheered out of the spec. If I am, somebody had better look out for squalls, I tell you. I’m as easy as an old glove, but a glove aint an old shoe to be trod on, and I think a certain person will find that out afore he is six months older, or else I’m mistakened, that’s all. Hopin to hear from you soon, I remain yours to command,

samuel slick.

Pugnose’s Inn, River Philip, Dec. 25, 1836.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Thomas Chandler Haliburton: A Brief Chronology
A Note on the Text

The Clockmaker, First Series

Glossary

Appendix A: Pre-The Clockmaker Texts

1. From Thomas Chandler Haliburton, A General Description of Nova Scotia (1823)
2. From Haliburton’s Legislative Speeches (1827-28)
3. From “The Club” Papers, Novascotian (21 May 1829)
4. From Thomas Chandler Haliburton, An Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia (1829)

Appendix B: Precursors

1. From Thomas McCulloch, The Mephibosheth Stepsure Letters (1821-22)
2. From Seba Smith, The Life and Writings of Major Jack Downing, of Downingville (1833)
3. From Charles Augustus Davis, Letters of J. Downing, Major, Downingville Militia, Second Brigade (1834)
4. From Matthew St. Clair Clarke, Sketches and Eccentricities of Col. David Crockett, of West Tennessee (1833)
5. From John Howison, Sketches of Upper Canada (1821)

Appendix C: Comment by Thomas Chandler Haliburton on The Clockmaker, First Series

• From a “DINNER TO THOMAS C. HALIBURTON,” Novascotian (12 June 1839)

Appendix D: Contemporary Reviews

1. “Julian” [Alexander Stewart], Acadian Recorder (10 June 1837)
2. From Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (1837)

Appendix E: Edmund Burke and Alexis de Tocqueville

1. From Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)
2. From Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (1835)

Select Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

In the 1830s, Thomas Chandler Haliburton gave us the figure of Sam Slick, a wily Yankee clock-pedlar of incomparable vigour and voice. Immediately, Slick leapt off the page, and he continues to do so in this new edition of The Clockmaker, carefully prepared by Richard A. Davies. Davies has done Haliburton a great service by reintroducing his series of sketches to a new audience of readers. One of Canada’s earliest and most significant writers, Haliburton once rivalled Dickens in popularity. Today he is known for ‘sayings and doings’ that are controversial but nonetheless invoke the temper of his times. This accessible edition will return Sam Slick to the reading room and the classroom, where he is guaranteed to spark fierce debate—the mark of his spirited and enduring character.” — Ruth Panofsky, Ryerson University

From the Publisher