BY A MEMBER OF THE BAR.
Dick.
The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
Cade.
Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of a skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchament, being scribbled o'er, should undo a man? Some say, the bee strings; but I say, 't is the bee's wax; for I did put seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since.
—KING HENRY. VI.
1851. page: Advertisement (TitlePage) [View Page Advertisement (TitlePage) ]
CHANTICLEER:
A THANKSGIVING STORY OF THE PEABODY FAMILY.
In one Volume, 12mo., cloth, PRICE 75 cts.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
The first work of the kind ever attempted in this country.—Brooklyn Star. Worthy of Teniers, if Teniers had employed the pen instead of the brush.—Philadelphia Sat. Gaz.
A dainty volume.—Boston Transcript.
The author must have been there; spirited and amusing—with touching and pathetic passages—amd well deserves a place on every centre-table.—Boston Advertiser.
A truthful and vivid picture—an addition to read American literature.—Boston Courier.
A Charming little book, quiet, simple, almost German in its dreamy fancies; the description true to the life, and giving proof of a master's hand; the few sad pages touching, hut free from sentimental exaggeration, the humorous passages highly toned, and all the characters brought out in bold relief.—New York Spirit of the Times.
The style of often chaste and beautiful.—New York Tribune.
A delightful story.—N. Y. Morning Star.
Graphically and beautifully wirtten.—N. Y. Atlas.
A glorious thanksgiving volume; we can not guess the author—but the story is charming, and the volume elegant. We have seen no finer holyday book yet.—The New Yorker.
To be read in the family circle while the Turkey is digesting—a capital book.—Providence Post.
The author of "Chanticleer" does not put his nake on the titlepage, but his book has the imprint of a truly national spirit. Its style combines the humorous and pathetic in a happy admixture.—Washington Nat. Intelligencer,
A very interesting story. An appropriate Gift-book.—Christian Watchman and Reflector.
We wonder, at its close, at the number of persons we have become acquainted with, and how well we know them. It is the sketch of a master; like the circle of Giotto, demonstrative as an acre of canvas.—Lit. World.
Recommended to precede the turkey and plum pudding era.—Neward Adv.
Everyday life and incident presented in a new and telling fuise, and written in peculiarly pure English.—The Asmodean.
The hook is beautifully executed, and harmonizes in its tone and spirit with the great idea of the day.—N. Y. Evangelist.
Delightfully written.—Weekly Picayune.
The materials are skilfully worked by the author into a charming picture of life and character. All the social and religious characteristics of the season of thanksgiving are brought out with a lancy, genial, humorous, and reverential. N Y Evening post.
A beautiful little holyday volume.—Philadelphia Ledger.
There is a greshness and originality about it which will be very attractive to its readers. The characters have an individuality about them which makes them portraits. We can promise the reader a treat in its perusal, and could we disclose the name of the author, he would be convinced that he had a right to expect a rich fund of entertainment.—Albany State Register.
THE VOLCANO DIGGINGS; A TALE OF CALIFORNIA LAW.
BY A MEMBER OF THE BAR. Dick. The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. Cade. Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of a skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchament, being scribbled o'er, should undo a man? Some say, the bee strings; but I say, 't is the bee's wax; for I did put seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. —KING HENRY. VI.
NEW YORK:
J. S. REDFIELD, CLINTON HALL,
CORNER OF NASSAU AND BEEKMAN STREETS.
1851.Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, BY J. S. REDFIELD, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Southern District of New York. STEREOTYPED BY C. C. SAVAGE 13 Chamber Street, N. Y.
PREFACE.
A FEW words by way of introduction, reader!—
The object of this tale has been to illustrate the blind and foolish ignorance of those who are for ever carping at the systematic workings of our judicial and legal institutions; and also to show the danger as well as the absurdity of despising forms, and trusting to extempore suggestions for a true demonstration of legal principles.
The early lynch-law trials in California furnish savory food for reflection upon this topic; and, as the author has spend much time in that country, and has so travelled through it as to be well acquainted with its different phases of life, he has concluded that he could not choose a more expedient region for the development of his plot.
Many of the following descriptions of scenes and scenery have been drawn from the life. Those among our countrymen who have ever visited the Volcano page: 4-5[View Page 4-5] diggings, will, it is hoped, recognise the picture—though, of course, understanding that the plot is entirely fictitious, and in no way to be identified with the locality more than with any other. Several of the characters are also drawn from actual observation or acquaintance; among which, Burschenwolt, Kentucky, and Pickle Jack, will be readily recalled by such of the author's friends as worked with him at the pickaxe and rocker.
—And now, reader, to the story!
