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The Club Papers: Haliburton's Literary Apprenticeship
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The Club Papers: Haliburton's Literary Apprenticeship GWENDOLYN DAVIES s D. C. Harvey haspointed out in "The Intellectual Awakening of Nova Scotia," the period after 1812 saw the establishment of academies, newspapers, libraries, reading societies, and other institutions which encouraged the development of an indigenous culture in the province.1 The publication of Agricola's essays in 1818-19,2 Thomas McCulloch's "Stepsure" letters in 1821-22,:i James Irving's "Letters on The Present State of English Poetry"4 in 1820-22, and a body of satirical newspaper sketches between 1818 and 1825, all complemented activityin other fields and gave evidence of an emergingliterary sensibility in the province. "We of this province cannot boast of many golden dreams and speculations, but we are advancing in the course of improvement at a steady, solid pace . . . ," wrote JudgeJ. A. Stewart to his friend, Peleg Wiswall, in 1825; "Everything showsthis—Our trade, our agriculture, our revenue, our population, our tranquility and contentment , speak a strong language, not in favour of rapid wealth and 1. D. C. Harvey, "The Intellectual Awakening of Nova Scotia," in G. A. Rawlyk, cd., Historical Essays on the Atlantic Provinces (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart Limited, Carle-ton Library, Number 3f>, 1967), pp. 116-21. 2. John Young's ("Agricola") essays on agriculture appeared in The Acadian Recorder in 1818-1819 and were published in book form under the title The Letters of Agrieola on the Principles of Vegetation and Tillage (Halifax: Holland and Co.,'1822). 3. Thomas McCiilloch's anonymous Stcpsueletters appeared in The Acadian Recorder In m December 22, 1821 to May 11, 1822. In tli ii' satire on Nova Seotians' failure to work hi 'd and develop the land, they anticipated T omas Chandler Haliburton's better known Si n Slick sketches. 4. James Irving's "Letters on the Present State of English Poetry" began to appear in The Acadian Recorderon May 13, 1820 and continued to be published at regular intervals for the next two years. They set a standard for literary criticism in the province and generated much discussion on literary matters. A 66 prosperity, but of a gradual and permanent benefit."5 It was this climate of tempered optimism and economic growth that quickened the intellect and confidence of young Nova Scotians, noted Harvey, and provided the appropriate financial and social base whereby literary endeavour and cultural expression could be nourished.6 Characteristic of the literary activity of this period was the emergence of a series of satirical sketches first published in Joseph Howe's The Novascotian on May 8, 1828, and continued in the journal at intermittent intervals until October 12, 1831. Ostensibly celebrating the meetings of a society of gentlemen gathered in a Halifax chamber for good conversation, good port, and the taste of a fine Havana, the fifty-two satires, songs, dialogues, and dramas appeared under the simple designation , "The Club." Always consisting of at least four people, this pseudonymous body would meet secretly in a snug room well removed from the public eye. Here, protected and pampered by a doorman named Ponsonby, the members would argue far into the night on subjects as varied as literary theory, political preferment, provincial history, country living, female education, and the Peninsular Wars. With its fellowship composed of such fictitious Halifax stalwarts as Major Metheglin of the British army; Frank Haliday, an idealistic young lawyer; Ned Harrington, a lovesick poet; and Dr. Febres, a caustic medical man, the Club would occasionally add to its numbers such new recruits as Mr. Editor (Joseph Howe of TheNovascotian), Mr. Merlin, and Morgan Rattler. From time to time it would also entertain casual visitors like Peter Pink, Mr. Homer, Donald MacGregor, and Mr. Marlow. The result was a boisterous, roistering company of the bowl, a gathering of gentlemen supposedly "bound by no rules except those of courtesy and good fellowship" and with "no object save amusement."7 In spite of the Club's stated dedication to folly and fun, it was obvious from the very beginning of the series that the Club's humour was to be as socially relevant as it was enjoyable. Exposing "vice and folly" and "the heedless race,"8 the Club was to make class inequality , colonial patronage, upward mobility, religious persecution, and educational discrimination all targets of sharp observation. When John Alexander Barry, the Member for Shelburne County, was dismissed from the House in 1829 and was imprisoned for contempt, the Club was to conduct a mock inquisition, interrogating everyone from...