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Phrases coined by Sam Slick from this novel include: 'He drank like a fish', 'The early bird gets the worm', 'It's raining cats and dogs', 'You can't get blood out of a stone', 'As quick as a wink', 'Six of one and half a dozen of the other'. Regarded by many as the equal of Charles Dickens, Thomas Chandler Haliburton's incisive social commentary is always expressed with sparkling wit. A dedicated parliamentarian and judge, the creation of the character of Sam Slick is widely regarded as his crowning achievement. Haliburton brought the fast-talking hero of his narrative to England and the novel details the adventures of the American wordsmith as he delivers his brand of home-spun wisdom upon this green and pleasant foreign land. Sam is the Yankee observer whose keen eye and sharp wit on the life of colonial Nova Scotia made him one of the most popular literary characters in 19th century English literature. Haliburton sends his character in the role of an attaché in an American diplomatic mission to the British Imperial Government and uses his character to satirise the traditions and politics of Britain, from colonial policy to girls' boarding schools. Low cover priced 249 page paperback.