ABSTRACT
The selections included here are not intended to offer a complete sur vey of the kinds of humorous literature produced in the Northeast during the nineteenth century. The literary comedians of the Civil War era are only modestly represented by Artemus Ward and Josh Billings, whose works have been collected elsewhere. The other works pre sented here are more obscure. They represent a tradition of comic scepticism that affirms progress and decency even while history and economic relations are matters of notice. Needless to say, the values expressed actually Vary widely, but the matter-railroads, land deals, maritime adventures, and the Civil War-is northern in every respect.
