
1914. This etext prepared from a reprint of a version published in 1914.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. - IN WHICH THE READER IS MADE ACQUAINTED WITH A STATE OF INNOCENCE; AND THE MEANING OF THE WORD "CUMEELFO".
CHAPTER II. - HOW AN ADMIRAL TOOK ONE GENTLEMAN FOR ANOTHER, AND WAS TOLD THE DAY OF THE MONTH.
CHAPTER III. - OF A BLUE-JERSEYED MAN THAT WOULD HOIST NO MORE BRICKS; AND A NIGHTCAP THAT HAD NO BUSINESS TO BE WHERE IT WAS.
CHAPTER IV. - OF CERTAIN LEPERS; AND TWO BROTHERS, WHO, BEING MUCH ALIKE, LOVED THEIR SISTER, AND RECOMMENDED THE USE OF GLOBES.
CHAPTER V. - HOW AN ABSENT-MINDED MAN, THAT HATED WOMEN, TOOK A HOUSE BY THE WATER-SIDE, AND LIVED THEREIN WITH ONE SERVANT.
CHAPTER VI. - HOW CERTAIN TROJANS CLIMBED A WALL OUT OF CURIOSITY; AND OF A CHARWOMAN THAT COULD GIVE NO INFORMATION.
CHAPTER VII. - OF A LADY THAT HAD A MUSICAL VOICE, BUT USED IT TO DECEIVE.
CHAPTER VIII. - HOW A CREW, THAT WOULD SAIL ON A WASHING-DAY, WAS SHIPWRECKED: WITH AN ADVERTISEMENT AGAINST WOMEN.
A sprightly, tongue‑in‑cheek portrait of a fictional English town bursts onto the ear, presenting its residents as caricatures of Victorian society. The opening scene places an irascible admiral, a nervous vicar, and a meddling hostess in a cramped drawing‑room, their banter already hinting at the absurdities to come. Through witty dialogue and a mischievous narrator, the story sets a tone that is both affectionate and gently mocking.
The book unfolds as a series of loosely linked episodes, each titled with a whimsical promise—from a blue‑jerseyed man who refuses to stack bricks to a charwoman who guards secrets, and from a leper‑brother duo puzzled by their own sister to a lady whose melodious voice doubles as a deception. These vignettes blend far‑cotted mishaps, sly observations on class and propriety, and a habit of turning everyday matters into grand, almost mythic, adventures. The language is richly period‑flavored, yet the humor feels alive and surprisingly modern.
Listeners will find themselves wandering the odd streets of Troy Town, where every encounter feels like a gentle parody of the earnest moral tales of the era. The pacing is brisk, the characters instantly memorable, and the author's wry commentary invites both laughter and a soft reflection on the quirks of human nature. It’s a delightfully eccentric journey that rewards attentive ears with its clever turns of phrase and endearing eccentricities.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (385K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-12-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1944
Best known by the pen name “Q,” this Cornish writer helped shape generations of readers through his fiction, criticism, and classic poetry anthologies. His work ranges from lively adventure stories to influential reflections on how literature should be read and enjoyed.
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