Thomas Chandler Haliburton

Regarded by many as the equal of Charles Dickens, Haliburton's incisive social commentary is always expressed with sparkling wit. A dedicated parliamentarian and judge, the creation of the character Sam Slick is widely regarded as Haliburton's crowning achievement. Following the huge popular acclaim that greeted The Clockmaker (1837), the author, bowing to the weight of expectation, brought the fast-talking hero of his narrative, Sam Slick, to England. The Attache; or Sam Slick in England details the adventures of the American wordsmith, as he delivers his brand of home-spun wisdom upon this green and pleasant foreign land.

Sam Slick, a clock-peddler who accompanies a visiting English gentleman on an unforgettable tour of Nova Scotia, first appeared in the 'Novascotian' in 1835. His shrewd observations and witty commentaries addressed important contemporary issues, such as race, slavery and colonialism.

In 1835 Thomas Chandler Haliburton introduced Samuel Slick of Slicksville, Connecticut, into the pages of the Novascotian in order to awaken his fellow citizens to the economic opportunities of their province. From this Halifax newspaper trotted out the Connecticut Yankee, manufacturer and seller of clocks, with his original dialect and unique comic vision, to become the chief character in three series of The Clockmaker published between 1836 and 1840.

In 1835 Thomas Chandler Haliburton introduced Samuel Slick of Slicksville, Connecticut, into the pages of the Novascotian in order to awaken his fellow citizens to the economic opportunities of their province. From this Halifax newspaper trotted out the Connecticut Yankee, manufacturer and seller of clocks, with his original dialect and unique comic vision, to become the chief character in three series of The Clockmaker published between 1836 and 1840.

One of his most famous works was his controversial Reply to Lord Durham's Report, written at white heat and originally published in 1839, at first in the form of seven letters to the Times. This edition also includes an introduction from Alfred G. Bailey, a Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New Brunswick.