Jabez Clegg, the Manchester man, floats into this historical novel in 1799, carried downstream by the River Irk in flood. Jabez's rise to commercial success mirrors the rise of the city at the heart of the industrial revolution. Mrs George Linnaeus Banks (nee Isabella Varley) weaves a web of historical fact and fiction in a fast-paced story built around the rivalry between the Jabez and his nemesis Laurence Aspinall, and the fate of Augusta Ashton, who is loved by both but loves only one. An entertaining fictional journey through the early 19th century history of the city of Manchester, the book also has serious points to make about women's choices and domestic violence. (Summary by Phil Benson)
Chapters
1
Chapter I: The Flood Read by Phil Benson 16:21
2
Chapter II: No One Knows Read by Phil Benson 18:55
3
Chapter III: How the Rev. Joshua Brookes and Simon Clegg Interpreted a Shakesperian Text Read by Phil Benson 18:49
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Chapter IV: Mischief Read by Phil Benson 16:58
5
Chapter V: Ellen Chadwick Read by Phil Benson 20:53
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Chapter VI: To Martial Music Read by Phil Benson 17:05
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Chapter VII: The Reverend Joshua Brookes Read by Phil Benson 16:16
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Chapter VIII: The Blue-Coat School Read by Phil Benson 17:53
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Chapter IX: The Snake Read by Phil Benson 18:39
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Chapter X: First Antagonism Read by Phil Benson 16:36
11
Chapter XI: The Blue-Coat Boy Read by Phil Benson 21:24
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Chapter XII: The Gentleman Read by Phil Benson 10:52
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Chapter XIII: Simon's Pupil Read by Phil Benson 15:19
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Chapter XIV: Jabez Goes Out Into The World Read by Phil Benson 18:30
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Chapter XV: Apprenticeship Read by Phil Benson 17:55
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Chapter XVI: In War And Peace Read by Phil Benson 19:47
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Chapter XVII: In The Warehouse Read by Phil Benson 18:53
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Chapter XVIII: Easter Monday Read by Phil Benson 17:37
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Chapter XIX: Peterloo Read by Phil Benson 27:16
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Chapter XX: Action And Reaction Read by Phil Benson 17:04
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Chapter XXI: Wounded Read by Phil Benson 17:05
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Chapter XXII: Mr. Clegg Read by Phil Benson 17:15
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Chapter XXIII: In The Theatre Royal Read by Phil Benson 15:24
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Chapter XXIV: Madame Broadbent's Fan Read by Phil Benson 17:56
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Chapter XXV: Retrospective Read by Phil Benson 18:48
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Chapter XXVI: On The Portico Steps Read by Phil Benson 17:27
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Chapter XXVII: Manhood Read by Phil Benson 15:26
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Chapter XXVIII: Once In A Life Read by Phil Benson 17:43
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Chapter XXIX: On Ardwick Green Pond Read by Phil Benson 21:33
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Chapter XXX: Blind Read by Phil Benson 16:51
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Chapter XXXI: Coronation Day Read by Phil Benson 19:57
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Chapter XXXII: Evening: Indoors And Out Read by Phil Benson 18:48
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Chapter XXXIII: Clogs Read by Phil Benson 18:10
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Chapter XXXIV: Birds Of A Feather Read by Phil Benson 15:15
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Chapter XXXV: At Carr's Cottage Read by Phil Benson 19:24
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Chapter XXXVI: The Lovers' Walk Read by Phil Benson 19:01
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Chapter XXXVII: A Ride On A Rainy Night Read by Phil Benson 17:58
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Chapter XXXVIII: Defeated Read by Phil Benson 17:10
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Chapter XXXIX: Like Father, Like Son Read by Phil Benson 16:19
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Chapter XL: With All His Faults Read by Phil Benson 16:42
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Chapter XLI: Marriage Read by Phil Benson 18:57
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Chapter XLII: Blows Read by Phil Benson 20:46
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Chapter XLIII: Partnership Read by Phil Benson 20:58
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Chapter XLIV: Man And Beast Read by Phil Benson 21:19
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Chapter XLV: Wounds Inflicted And Endured Read by Phil Benson 19:19
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Chapter XLVI: The Mower With His Scythe Read by Phil Benson 17:22
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Chapter XLVII: The Last Act Read by Phil Benson 27:29
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Appendix 1 & 2 Read by Phil Benson 14:41
49
Final Appendix (Historical) Read by Phil Benson 57:22
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens archive.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
