[ Transcriber’s Notes:]
[Chronology], [Quotations], [Other Editions],
[Table of Parallel Passages]
[Chronology]
Based on references to datable external events (shown here in boldface), the story covers at least ten years. The parts of the book that take place in Connecticut are filled with descriptions of changing seasons. Europe and the southern states have no climate.
two young gentlemen of Connecticut ... graduated at Yale College
Beauman ... came regularly once in two or three months
Beauman’s visits to Melissa became more frequent
[Beauman’s] visits became more and more frequent.
It was summer, and towards evening when [Alonzo] arrived.
To accommodate Beauman’s repeated visits, a full year would have to pass.
The troubles which gave rise to the disseveration of England from America had already commenced, which broke out the ensuing spring into actual hostilities, by the battle of Lexington, followed soon after by the battle of Bunker Hill.