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"The Settlers in Canada" was published in 1844, the twenty-first book to flow from Marryat's pen. Marryat's later books were written for a juvenile readership. This book is notable because it is not in Marryat's earlier style, in that the narrative flows forward in a steady style, without the introduction of the usual asides which make his nautical books so readable. The subject material, set in the Canadian wilderness, is very well treated: in fact one might almost say that he had read the works of the later masters of Canadian wilderness writing, Ballantyne or Egerton Ryerson Young. Another feature which is unusual for him is the shortness and evenness of the chapters; nor are there any of the long paragraphs normal for his earlier works. This helps to make the book so suitable as a children's book.
The story opens in England, where the Campbell family are living on a wealthy estate, Wexton Hall, which they had inherited because it was considered that the direct heir, of whom nothing had been heard for many years, was dead. When they had taken it on the estate was very run down and needed much expensive renovation, for instance to the tenants' houses. Out of the blue comes a solicitor's letter advising them that the presumed heir was indeed dead, but that he had had a son, who was now the heir, so the Campbell family, after some expensive legal work, agree to give up the estate. They then decide to use what little money they have left, to emigrate to Canada, acquire some land, and try to build up a farm. This all works quite well, despite some misadventures and narrow escapes. After some years another solicitor's letter arrives to tell them that their cousin who had received the Wexton estate from them had died as a result of a fall when out hunting. So back they go to England, leaving one of the sons in charge of the farm in Canada.
This is a bit of a departure for me as for once I have put up the entire book in a oner rather than chapter by chapter. The reason for this is simply that as I started to read it I found to my mild astonishment that I'd read the entire book. And so you can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/kids/settlers.htm
I might add that I think this would make a great read for children as mentioned above. It does serve to give an idea of what settlers went through to settle the land and so hopefully you'll tell your Kids or Grand Kids about this and encourage them to read it.
Alastair
The story opens in England, where the Campbell family are living on a wealthy estate, Wexton Hall, which they had inherited because it was considered that the direct heir, of whom nothing had been heard for many years, was dead. When they had taken it on the estate was very run down and needed much expensive renovation, for instance to the tenants' houses. Out of the blue comes a solicitor's letter advising them that the presumed heir was indeed dead, but that he had had a son, who was now the heir, so the Campbell family, after some expensive legal work, agree to give up the estate. They then decide to use what little money they have left, to emigrate to Canada, acquire some land, and try to build up a farm. This all works quite well, despite some misadventures and narrow escapes. After some years another solicitor's letter arrives to tell them that their cousin who had received the Wexton estate from them had died as a result of a fall when out hunting. So back they go to England, leaving one of the sons in charge of the farm in Canada.
This is a bit of a departure for me as for once I have put up the entire book in a oner rather than chapter by chapter. The reason for this is simply that as I started to read it I found to my mild astonishment that I'd read the entire book. And so you can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/kids/settlers.htm
I might add that I think this would make a great read for children as mentioned above. It does serve to give an idea of what settlers went through to settle the land and so hopefully you'll tell your Kids or Grand Kids about this and encourage them to read it.
Alastair