The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday

A lively scrapbook of New‑England life, this volume gathers forgotten newspaper snippets and pamphlets that reveal how early Americans treated the Sabbath. From earnest sermons to witty verses, the pages capture the rhythm of a week anchored by Sunday’s “golden clasp,” as poets once called it. Readers get a taste of the era’s moral debates, community rituals, and the everyday humor that surrounded a day of rest.

Among the most entertaining episodes is the story of a president halted by a vigilant tythingman for daring to ride on a Sunday, a scene that sparked lively commentary on law, piety, and practicality. The collection also includes curious advertisements, strange punishments, and reflections from figures like Emerson and Longfellow, all woven together with brief, insightful notes. It offers a charming, instructive glimpse into a time when the line between reverence and routine was both clearly drawn and occasionally blurred.