The third of Robertson Davies’ editions of Samuel Marchbanks’ writings, and originally published by McClelland & Stewart in 1967, Samuel Marchbanks’ Almanack is available here in e-book for the first time ever.
In 1942, two years after returning to Canada from Britain, Robertson Davies took up the role of editor of the Peterborough Examiner , in the small city of Peterborough, Ontario, northeast of Toronto. During his tenure as editor at the Examiner , a post he held until 1955, and later as publisher of the newspaper (1955–65), Davies published witty, curmudgeonly, mischievous, and fiercely individualistic editorials under the name of his alter ego, Samuel Marchbanks, “one of the choice and master spirits of his age.”
Taking pen in hand, Samuel Marchbanks, philosopher, purveyor of trivia and benefactor of mankind, once again proves there is nothing so beneficial to the weary and heavy-laden of the world as a good belly laugh. As the reader proceeds through the zodiacal year from Aries to Pisces, he will find an infinity of information and rumination on matters important and unimportant, orthodox and outrageous. Who would remain unmoved by the discourse of yo-yo virtuosity of the reflections on the Modern Reader! Who will not share the righteous anger of Mr. Marchbanks toward the civil servant, Mr. Hydra, on the gross inconvenience of Daylight Savings Time! The reader will also have the opportunity of meeting other such remarkable characters as Dr. Raymond Cataplasm, the lawyer, Mordecai Mouseman, Mrs. Kedijah Scissorbill, the committee woman, and even Dick Dandiprat, the great practical joker. There can be no better tonic for flagging spirits than Marchbanks’ Almanack .