
In this spirited collection of town annals, a modest borough called Quodlibet comes alive through the eyes of its schoolmaster, Solomon Secondthoughts. Written originally in the 1840s and revived after two decades, the work mixes diligent record‑keeping with playful commentary, preserving the quirks, sayings, and deeds of its citizens. Listeners are treated to vivid sketches of the most memorable locals, from garrulous shopkeepers to earnest officials, all set against a backdrop of shifting political tides.
Beyond the charming portraits, the annals serve as a witty meditation on the cyclical nature of party politics. The narrator observes how once‑fierce factions dissolve, merge, and re‑emerge, turning former enemies into uneasy allies, while new generations ignore the passions of their predecessors. Listeners will find both humor and insight as the book invites reflection on how history’s absurdities repeat, offering a light‑hearted yet thoughtful glimpse into a bygone era of civic drama.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (394K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Clark, Dianna Adair and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2012-03-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1795–1870
A lively early American novelist and statesman, remembered for helping shape the romance of the Old South in fiction while also playing a visible role in national politics. His best-known books mix adventure, regional detail, and a strong sense of place.
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