Life in the Clearings Versus the Bush


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.5 stars; 7 reviews)

As a middle class Englishwoman Moodie did not particularly enjoy "the bush", as she called it. She and her husband moved to Belleville in 1840, which she referred to as "the clearings". Here she described urban life, including religion, art, and education, especially as compared to relative lack of these things in "the bush". She studied the Family Compact and became sympathetic to the moderate reformers led by Robert Baldwin, while remaining critical of radical reformers such as William Lyon Mackenzie. This caused problems for her husband, who shared her views, but, as sheriff of Belleville, had to work with members and supporters of the Family Compact. (Summary from Wikipedia)

This was read as a duet by Cori Samuel and Esther. Joined in section 9 by Jim Mowatt, and in section 12 by Glen Hallstrom. (11 hr 20 min)

Chapters

Introduction 14:33 Read by Cori Samuel
Belleville 1:08:58 Read by Cori Samuel
Local Improvements--Sketches of Society 58:56 Read by Cori Samuel
Free Schools--Thoughts on Education 23:23 Read by Cori Samuel
Amusements 29:22 Read by Cori Samuel
Trials of a Travelling Musician 24:47 Read by Cori Samuel
The Singing Master 44:27 Read by Cori Samuel
Camp Meetings 46:39 Read by Cori Samuel
Wearing Mourning for the Dead 30:18 Read by Cori Samuel
Odd Characters 27:45 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Grace Marks 46:12 Read by Cori Samuel
Michael Macbride 37:05 Read by Cori Samuel
Jeanie Burns 24:06 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Lost Children 17:24 Read by Cori Samuel
Toronto 33:54 Read by Cori Samuel
Lunatic Asylum 26:35 Read by Cori Samuel
Provincial Agricultural Show 28:50 Read by Cori Samuel
Niagara 46:03 Read by Cori Samuel
Goat Island 27:23 Read by Cori Samuel
Conclusion 24:04 Read by Cori Samuel