Chapter III: Introduction: 9

INTERLOCUTORS, ACTORS, etc. 21

CHAPTER I.

Antiquities of Quodlibet. Michael Grant's tanyard destroyed by
the canal. Consequences of this event. Two distinguished
individuals take up their residence in the Borough.
Establishment of the Patriotic Copperplate Bank.
Circumstances which led to, and followed that measure.
Michael Grant's objections to it. 25

CHAPTER II.

Great usefulness of the bank. Surprising growth of Quodlibet.
Some account of the Hon. Middleton Flam. Origin of his
Democracy. His logical argument in favor of the pocketing of
the Bill to repeal the Specie Circular. The Democratic
principle as developed in the Representative System. 41

CHAPTER III.

Further discourse relating to the Hon. Middleton Flam.
Correction in the orthography of his family seat. His
respect for the people. Very original views entertained by
him on this subject. His liberality in money matters.
Aversion to the law regarding interest. Democratic view of
that question. His encouragement of industry and the
working people. Ingenious and profound illustration of the
Great Democratic Principle 57

CHAPTER IV.

The Second Era. Population of Quodlibet. Increase unparalleled
in Ancient Cities; equaled only by Milwaukee, etc. Success
of the bank. Attack upon it in Congress. The Hon. Middleton
Flam's triumphant vindication. Sketch of his celebrated
speech before the New Lights. Inimitable irony on the
Divorce of Government and Bank. Merited compliment to the
head of the Secretary of the Treasury. That distinguished
gentleman's opinions. 68

CHAPTER V.

Excitement produced by The Thorough Blue Whole Team. Meeting of
the New Lights. Jesse Ferret's ambidexterity. Introduction
of Eliphalet Fox to the club. His exposition of principles.
Establishment of the Quodlibet Whole Hog. 79

CHAPTER VI.

Being a short history of Eliphalet Fox. 87

CHAPTER VII.

Astounding Event; Suspension of Specie Payments. Proceedings of
the Bank of Quodlibet thereupon. Resolve of the Directors
against Suspension. Conspiracy and threatened Revolution
headed by Flan Sucker. Directors change their mind. Their
consternation and escape. Remarkable bravery and presence of
mind of the Hon. Middleton Flam. His splendid appeal to the
insurgents. General Jackson's oracular views in regard to
the Suspension. 93

CHAPTER VIII.

Signs of discord in Quodlibet. The Iron-Railing Controversy.
Agamemnon Flag's nomination. Revolt of Theodore Fog. The
celebrated Split. Consequences of Jesse Ferret's pernicious
dogma in reference to publicans. First fruits of the Split
manifested at Mrs. Ferret's tea drinking. Grave reflections
by the author. Moral. 106

CHAPTER IX.

Great meeting at the Sycamore Spring. Some description of the
arrangements. Nicodemus Handy chosen to preside on this
occasion. Motion to that effect by Mr. Snuffers. This worthy
gentleman's misfortune. His escape. Successful organization
of the meeting. 118

CHAPTER X.

Scenes at the Sycamore Spring. Nicodemus Handy's speech as
President. Sketch of Andrew Grant's speech. Agamemnon
Flag's. Attempts at interruption. Theodore Fog's celebrated
speech on this occasion. Eloquent exposition of principles.
His triumph. His misfortune. Quipes's disappointment of his
friends. 128

CHAPTER XI.

The division of the party becomes more distinct. Admirable
address of Eliphalet Fox at this juncture. Result of the
election. Rejoicing of the True Grits. Jesse Ferret's
difficulties. Is taken to task by his dame. Candid avowal
of his embarrassments. Theodore Fog's exposition of True
Grit principles. His good-natured encouragement of Jesse
Ferret. Dabbs's treat. 147

CHAPTER XII.

Third Era. Divisions in Quodlibet continue. Fomented by the
women. Fog rather disappoints his friends by his course in
the Legislature. Prostration of business in the Borough.
Traced to the merchants. Mr. Flam's opinion of them, and the
consequence thereof. Indignation of the New Lights against
them. Fog's eulogium upon them. Movements of the True Grits.
Fox's skillful management. The Tigertail affair. Mysterious
termination of it. Nim Porter's indiscretion. 169

CHAPTER XIII.

A political discussion at Abel Brawn's shop. Abel's views of the
Sub-Treasury. Important communication made by Theodore Fog.
The New Lights take ground against the banks. The Hon.
Middleton Flam resigns the Presidency of the Copperplate
Bank. Snuffers aspires to the succession. 181

CHAPTER XIV.

Letter from a Cabinet officer to Mr. Flam. Directions to the
Democracy. The Cabinet officer's mode of producing an
impression. The President's determination in regard to the
Independent Treasury. Warning to deserters. Candidates for
Mr. Flam's place in the bank. Hardbottle elected. Theodore
Fog's outbreak. He cools down and stands upon principle.
Hardbottle unpopular. 194

CHAPTER XV.

Unhappy event in the life of Nicodemus Handy. Consternation at
Quodlibet. Disasters among the Directors. Explosion of the
bank. Conversation between Theodore Fog and Mr. Grant. Fog's
views of the question of distress. Compliment to Jesse
Ferret. 201

CHAPTER XVI.

A rapid review of one year. What the author is compelled to
pretermit. The President's "Sober Secondthought" message
received at Quodlibet with great rejoicing. The author
communes with his reader touching New-Light principles.
Illustrations of them. Remarkable dexterity of the
Secretary. Interesting letter from the Hon. Middleton Flam.
Dawning of the Presidential Canvass. The Northern man with
Southern principles, and his mannikin. 214

CHAPTER XVII.

Fourth Era. The Hon. Middleton Flam re-elected. The New Lights
determine to stigmatize the Whigs as Federalists. Mr. Flam's
instructions in regard to the Presidential Canvass.
Nomination of Harrison and Tyler. Course of the New Lights.
Formation of the Grand Central Committee of Unflinching
New-Light Quodlibetarian Democrats. Its President,
Secretary, and place of meeting. 225

CHAPTER XVIII.

Proceedings of the Grand Central Committee. Vindication of the
severity practiced against General Harrison. Tactics of the
New Lights. Abolitionism. Selling white men for debt.
Harrison a coward. Considerations which led to the naming of
the opposition British Whigs. Stratagem against Harrison,
and the clamor against him for not answering. Hope of the
New Lights confirmed by the Connecticut, Rhode Island, and
Virginia elections. Baltimore Convention a failure.
Important letter from Mr. Flam. Amos Kendall's purpose to
resign. Excitement of composition prescribed by his
physician. Central Committee sanction the compilation of
these annals. 232

CHAPTER XIX.

Deserved compliment on Mr. Van Buren's exploit of the Florida
War. The affair of the True Grits and Sergeant Trap. True
Grits suffer a defeat. Flan Sucker's opinion upon the
subject. His account of an action at law between Joe Snare
and Ike Swingletree. 242