Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush

Set in a small parish, the narrative explores the impact of the Revolution on local governance, highlighting the formation of a School Board with various officials, including a young clerk named Hillocks. The story humorously depicts the formalities of board meetings, where mundane issues, like funding for a coal-cellar door, are treated with great seriousness. Through the interactions and awkwardness of the board members, the book reveals the dynamics of community life and the absurdities of bureaucracy in a rural setting.