
A spirited travelogue lets listeners follow a lone chauffeur as he pushes a temperamental gasoline automobile through the varied landscapes of New England, New York, and Canada in the early days of motoring. The narrative captures the quirks of a machine that seems to have a mind of its own—stubbornly silent one moment, then roaring to life the next—while offering witty commentary on the people and places encountered along the way. With vivid sketches described in the text, the journey feels both visual and tactile, inviting listeners to picture bustling towns, quiet valleys, and the occasional roadside drama of mechanics and curious crowds.
Beyond the mechanical challenges, the chauffeur’s observations turn the road into a social canvas, from the bustling streets of Buffalo to the historic sites of Lexington and Concord. His reflections blend humor with genuine curiosity, revealing how early automobiling opened unexpected doors to conversation, culture, and the simple pleasure of watching a new technology reshape everyday travel. The result is an engaging snapshot of an era when every mile was an adventure.
Full title
Two Thousand Miles on an Automobile Being a Desultory Narrative of a Trip Through New England, New York, Canada, and the West, By "Chauffeur"
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (446K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1859–1920
A Chicago lawyer with a sharp eye for the new, he became one of the earliest American champions of modern art. His enthusiasm for bold, unfamiliar work helped introduce Cubism and Post-Impressionism to a wider public in the United States.
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