SO WHY SHOULD WE EMBRACE THE WORK OF AN AMERICAN AUTHOR? - BY CELEBRATING HIS LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
WASHINGTON IRVING SAW HIMSELF AS A SORT OF CULTURAL STEWARD - A KEEPER OF OLD STORIES
Sitting here, on a park bench, looking down along the historic main street of Bracebridge, I can't help but think back to what my mother said, on our first trip across the silver bridge, that spans the cataract of the North Branch of the Muskoka River. The first description of what would become our new hometown, left my mother's lips as if it has been perfectly scripted for the theatre stage. "Well, for better or worse, a long time, or short, here we are now, at home in Sleepy Hollow." At this time, being the late winter of 1966, I don't believe Merle had any idea, that the same author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," that she had just quoted, was the same author who penned the name "Bracebridge." Might she have thought it curious, then, to find out that our new hometown, was named as a memorial tribute to Washington Irving? I did share this irony with my mother, shortly before she suffered a debilitating stroke. She whispered to me one morning, while enjoying a coffee together, at her Bass Rock apartment, "You know Ted, Bracebridge has been a good 'Sleepy Hollow,' for all these years, hasn't it?" I agreed. By this, she didn't mean that it had been a "sleepy," inactive, and boring community. Knowing that I was working on the Washington Irving story, she understood the irony. What she meant, was that Bracebridge had above all else, been a good choice for a hometown, and that the move north from Burlington, Ontario, had brought much happiness to our family. I remember seeing her walking up River Road, from her apartment, to the main street, where she loved to poke-about in the stores she adored. She had been concerned, initially, that the small town of 2,500 people, back in 1966, was going to be too much of a culture shock, coming from city-life. It took a few years, but she came around, and although she liked the occasional trip to the city, to visit family, she was most comfortable in her riverside residence, and taking her short walks uptown, using the clock tower, of the old federal building, as that comforting, familiar landmark, we first saw, coming over the silver bridge, on that first day as new and unsure residents. When Merle referenced "Sleepy Hollow," it was always in the most kindly terms. It's the same "Sleepy Hollow," they decided to stay for the rest of their lives.
In the year 1864, when the Town of Bracebridge was officially awarded its name, for its new post office, the period coincided, of course, with the troublesome events of the American Civil War. It was still three years ahead of Canadian Confederation. The Muskoka homesteader's life was a misery of hard work, against terrible conditions; so it's quite understandable, that the first residents of North Falls, didn't have the interest, or feeling of necessity, to challenge the federal post office, for denying the name they thought best for their community. As newspapers from the urban areas of Canada, were making it to the frontier, in the post, by rail to Belle Ewart, steamships up the lakes to Washago, and by cart and on foot, first to the settlement of Muskoka Falls, settlers would have known the key events and battle news from Civil War reports. The name issue, wouldn't have been in the top ten of local concerns, at this point in community history.
When William Dawson LeSueur rejected the citizens' request, as the name for their soon-to-be granted postal outlet, there is no evidence, there was a march of protest, or any kind of uprising against the decision. There may have been a letter of protest written, but to this point, it hasn't been uncovered. Most regional historians, including Thomas McMurray, who wrote the first book on Muskoka, in the early 1870's, avoided any mention of the naming-incident, suggesting to the contemporary researcher, it never became as contentious as we might believe today. If there was a sense of betrayal, or any anger, that "North Falls," was rejected, as the selected name for the hamlet, on the Muskoka River, there isn't a shred of evidence this created even the slightest ripple until decades later.
It is left out of the history books generally, if there was any protest, in any form, which indicates it wasn't a matter worth much attention. I suppose the most significant protest, if you can consider it purposeful, has been in recent years, when the Town of Bracebridge has, for all intents and purposes, chosen to ignore this reality of its own heritage; rather than celebrating, what can only be considered, a high honor in the literary world. Naming the hamlet post office, after the title of a book written by American Author, Washington Irving, was as much a memorial tribute, to Irving, blessed upon the fledgling community; although, arguably he was a little weak on his follow-through. Shortly before his death he admitted to a regional reporter, that he had indeed, named the community after the book "Bracebridge Hall." But in August 1864, there was no attachment that clarified this, when notification came to the citizenry of "North Falls," that their mailing address was going to change; and any maps and community governance would have to allow for the name "Bracebridge," instead. Once again, there is no indication that the citizens could have cared less, as there were many more considerations at the time; one being, their survival in a harsh environs, with short seasons, except the relentless winter.
It is to be supposed, that some of the citizens at this time, would have known who Washington Irving was, just as they probably knew about his contemporary, Charles Dickens. Irving's "Sketch Book," that contains the first mention of "Bracebridge Hall,' and "Squire Bracebridge," were available on the open market from 1819 onward, and in hundreds of different forms, by the year 1864, when W.D. LeSueur, selected "Bracebridge Hall," as the perfect title, for a new frontier town in South Muskoka. He just dropped the "Hall' reference. Even if the citizens at that time, had known Irving was a representative American author, in retrospect, I don't think it would haver mattered. However, there was likely some minor chagrin, in the minds of settlers, estimating via news reports, the danger from the American Civil War escalation, and its eventual outcome; a little more than worrying about the provenance of the hamlet's new name. Many Canadians, and British subjects, did serve on both sides of the Civil War, so it was even a possibility, that a few of the pioneers, at the time, considered crossing the border, and taking up sides. It's worth noting, that there would have been more concern about a change of political focus, after the war, about Canada's British rule; and if another war, like that of 1812, could erupt again, between a resolved America, and an occupying British governance as a neighbor. But it just wasn't a big deal, to unload the name "Bracebridge,' regardless of why it was selected by LeSueur. So the bottom line here, is that it wasn't an issue then, as much as it has been in the past fifteen years. This is where I come in! I can't leave well enough alone. Right?
As I wrote about in yesterday's blog, Washington Irving, was fascinated by British culture and traditions, and spent time travelling, and residing temporarily in England, to learn more about its folk tales and countryside cultures. As a young man, he found himself in the strange position, of trying to reconnect and promote, what he believed had been a hasty act of severance, of America from its own ancestry. He believed that the American Revolutionary War, while providing independence to the fledgling North American country, at the expense of thousands of soldiers' lives, on both sides, created a hurtful divide, in conscience, between the two nations. Many Americans were of British ancestry, and were entitled to share the culture and traditions this provenance afforded. While he didn't deny the importance of building home-grown traditions, for the generations to come, he felt it was an ill-conceived plan, to abandon British ancestry entirely out of spite; believing that the war, was the sharp blade that cut relations forever. He pointed out that this could not happen, as a family legacy, and shouldn't happen in social / cultural tradition either. To honor and respect one's past, was not disrespectful to the present allegiance. It's one of the reasons he went to England, to reconnect, with the cultural essence, that was fading in America; and diminishing even in England, which he found most alarming. He stayed at the country estate of well known bard, Sir Walter Scott, known as "Abbotsford," which is said to have been Irving's model for the story of "Bracebridge Hall." He went on countryside walks with Scott, who was, as well, a great defender and steward of the old ways and traditions of England and Scotland.
So when it comes to the name "Bracebridge," W.D. LeSueur shared one particular belief with Irving; he concurred on the importance of conserving cultural traditions, as country or region's ingrained and forged heritage. He would have found that his work, and enthusiasm for British culture, would fit well, as the name of a pioneer settlement on the Muskoka River. The first settlers, afterall, were of British ancestry, who had not even been residents, of this country, a few years prior to 1864. If he had been called to a hamlet meeting, to explain his choice of names, he would have undoubtedly fallen back on this cultural extension, and paid little attention to the fact, Irving was a representative of American literature. The fact Irving had just recently passed away, made LeSueur's action a "memorial" tribute. It is this likelihood, that makes the name "Bracebridge" even more significant, on the literary scene, because if it was indeed afforded the town, as a posthumous tribute to the author, after his passing, it would elevate the historic connection, to its highest level. Washington Irving, at the time of his death, was known around the globe, and his characters, given international acclaim well before 1864. What was LeSueur's actual intent? We are left to ponder.
IRVING'S INTEREST IN THE FUR TRADE IN CANADA
A couple of weeks ago, as if an act of providence, on it own, I found a good condition copy, from early in the 1900's, of "The Works of Washington Irving," published by the A.L. Burt Company, of New York, that happened to contain a story I had been looking for, but till this point, didn't own. I have been most interested in the opening remarks by Irving, to his story entitled "Astoria." What it demonstrates, in case there are those who object to the author's American leanings, such that we might get too comfortable with his foreign work, is that the author was particularly fond of Canada's wild frontier. The following notes are published in his introduction to "Astoria." He wasn't a stranger to Canada that's for sure.
"In the course of occasional visits to Canada many years since, I became intimately acquainted with some of the principal partners of the great Northwest Fur Company, who at that time, lived in genial style at Montreal, and kept almost open house for the stranger. At their hospitable 'boards' (tables), I occasionally met with partners, and clerks, and hardy fur traders, from the interior posts; men who had passed years remote from civilized society, among distant and savage tribes, and who had wonders to recount of their wide and wild peregrinations, their hunting exploits, and their perilous adventures, and hair-breadth escapes among the Indians."
Irving writes, "I was at an age when imagination lends its coloring to everything, and the stories of these Sinbads of the wilderness, made the life of a trapper, and fur trader, perfect romance to me. I even meditated at one time a visit to the remote posts of the company in the boats, which annually ascended the lakes and rivers, being thereto invited by one of the partners; and I have ever since regretted that I was prevented by circumstances, from carrying my intention into effect. From those early impressions, the grand enterprises of the great fur companies, and the hazardous errantry of their associates, in the wild parts of our vast continent, have always been themes of charmed interest to me; and I have felt anxious to get at the details of their adventurous expeditions among the savage tribes that peopled the depth of the wilderness.
"About two years ago, not long after my return from a tour upon the prairies of the far west, I had a conversation with my friend, Mr. John Astor, relative to that portion of our country, and to the adventurous traders to Santa Fe, and the Columbia. This led him to advert to a great enterprise, set on foot, and conducted by him, between twenty and thirty years since, having for its object, to carry the fur trade across the Rocky Mountains, and to sweep the shores of the Pacific. Finding that I took an interest in the subject, he expressed a regret that the true nature and extent of his enterprise, and its national character and importance had never been understood, and a wish that I would undertake to give an account of it. The suggestion struck upon the chord of early associations, already vibrating in my mind. It occurred to me that a work of this kind might comprise a variety of those curious details, so interesting to me, illustrative of the fur trade; of its remote and adventurous enterprises, and of the various people, and tribes, and castes, and characters, civilized and savage, affected by its operations." Thus, the story, "Astoria." "It was the fur trade, in fact, which gave early sustenance, and vitality, to the great Canadian provinces."
I wrote most of today's column, while sitting on west side of Manitoba Street, on what was known in my day, as the Queen's Hill, out of respect for the former Queen's Hotel, which later, of course, became the Patterson Hotel. I know this hill well, as I hated it on the many hot summer days, when I had to bike (or push) up its length, or on those occasions when I slid down it, like a curling stone, during winter ice storms going or coming from school. It was the hillside that Bill "Willy" Andison, found entertaining, when he and some of the local lads, would hide around the corner of the hotel, sling-shots in hand, and aim stones at the hind quarters of the horses pulling the wagon-loads up the hillside. Willy told me about the time he hit one of the horses from the dairy, half way up the Queen's Hill, and it reared-up, sending the load of full milk cans tumbling, and rolling quickly down to the intersection of Thomas Street. The milk of course, cascading down the hill like a waterfall. I never travel this hill today, that I don't think of that story. I think Willy would have made a good character in a Washington Irving short story.
It was a nice, leisurely respite, this morning, to make the notes above. I reminisce about my own place on this main street, with its updated, busy and colorful Victorian architecture, common to most of Ontario's communities of this period. It is an interesting amalgamation of old and new, and the retail component fits in rather well, with all the history that has etched, and been imprinted, along this downtown, north and south corridor. I spent a lot of time here as a kid. A lot of days here as a reporter, and editor of The Herald-Gazette. This was my beat. It's where I covered hundreds of stories, from great fires, to new business launches, and where we huddled at Angie's Delicatessan, to get the big scoops from our informants (usually just our mates). We drank beer and listened to music at the Patterson Hotel, when we weren't further downtown, at a dimly lit table at the old Albion Hotel, on Main Street, where a lot of history was made in this town; in fact, well back into the 1800's, it was a "happening" place. It was across from the picturesque train station, of the Canadian National Railway. There are so many great stories we could tell, each one of us with a little background in this town, if only we put them together as a sort of downtown compendium, of the way we were, and the way we are today. I think Mr. Irving might approve of such an adventure in history.
I have been researching and writing about the history of my former hometown, since the fall of 1977, when I helped launch the Bracebridge Historical Society; the first step in saving the octagonal homestead, built by Henry Bird, founder of the Bird's Woollen Mill. This good feeling about the history of the community, has been inspired by my lengthy sojourns, in some of the town's historic landmarks, including the home and office of former Muskoka M.P., Dr. Peter McGibbon, on upper Manitoba Street; the former Marrin House, on Quebec Street, the former Lynn House, on lower Ontario Street, and my long work relationship, with the Boyer building, at 27 Dominion Street, which housed the historic weekly newspaper, "The Herald-Gazette," and of course, The Bird House, better known as Woodchester Villa," where I was once operations manager. I have always been eager to, as they say, drink-it-all-in, and these portals have long assisted my immersion in town heritage. Some of my critics, of which I have a number, believe that I lack experience in local history, because I have not been working in this regard for most of my life; as they can comfortably declare. What I don't have in tenure, as a regional historian, I make up with intuition, and the desire to keep history relevant, by writing about it from the contemporary sense instead, with the modern reader's interest being my first consideration. I have had it said to me, that the Washington Irving connection has no real significance, and that we might have been better off, carrying-on with the name "North Falls." I don't agree, and never will. I think the new age of Bracebridge citizenry, needs to decide for themselves, whether it is a provenance worth developing; independent of those who wish I would either stop writing, (with my hands or head falling off) or that I'd finally, as a promise, conclude all references to this period in our history; to never again make their recall, under any circumstance. I have great respect for critics, and I do listen to their suggestions. I have no use for those who simply wish to obstruct, and deny, because it suits their personal opinion. History can be debunked. But it can't be re-written.
Thanks so much for joining today's blog. Lots more ahead, in this countdown to the rather low-key celebration, of Bracebridge's non-civic 150th anniversary, of its official naming by Dr. William Dawson LeSueur. Sorry I couldn't have afforded at least a few balloons, with Washington Irving's face painted on, or maybe a community cake, so we could share slices with everyone. I did this once, for a Woodchester Villa open house, for Canada Day, and it almost ended in divorce. The baker was not amused. Suffice however, that I haven't forgotten the 150th anniversary, of an occasion in Bracebridge history, deserving some respect. So stick with this blog, for a low key, no parade, no fireworks celebration, over the next few days, as we approach the 150 year anniversary, on August 1st.
If you don't have Washington Irving's books on hand, and would like to read them, you can check out googlebooks, and check them out online. The same with William Henry Smith's book, "Gravenhurst; or Thoughts on Good and Evil." Smith, a British poet/ philosopher, was also revered by post authority, W.D. LeSueur, and two years before Bracebridge got its Post Office, he borrowed the name "Gravenhurst," for their new postal outlet.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
WHO WAS THIS WILLIAM HENRY SMITH ANYWAY - AND WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
SHOULD WE BE PROUD OF OUR ASSOCIATION - OR TUCK IT AWAY WITH THE OTHER DUST OF AGES?
TO VIEW THE MUSIC VIDEO, COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAMING OF THE FIRST POST OFFICE IN GRAVENHURST, YOU CAN CLICK ON THE BOX ABOVE. YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO LOAD BEFORE IT CAN BE VIEWED WITHOUT STOPPING.
"HIS POEMS 'GUIDONE' AND 'SOLITUDE,' WERE PUBLISHED TOGETHER IN 1836, AND ABOUT THE SAME TIME HE REVIEWED BULWER AND LANDOR IN "THE QUARTERLY. IN 1839 HE PUBLISHED HIS 'DISCOURSE ON ETHICS OF THE SCHOOL OF PALEY,' WHICH, IN PROFESSOR FERRIER'S OPINION, 'WAS ONE OF THE BEST WRITTEN AND MOST INGENIOUSLY REASONED ATTACKS UPON CUDWORTH'S DOCTRINE THAT EVER APPEARED'. IN THE SAME YEAR HE BEGAN HIS CONNECTION WITH 'BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE,' CONTINUED TO NEARLY THE END OF HIS LIFE. HE CONTRIBUTED ALTOGETHER 126 ARTICLES ON THE MOST DIVERSE SUBJECTS, STORIES, POEMS, ESSAYS IN PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICS, BUT PRINCIPALLY REVIEWS AND CRITICISMS, ALL VALUABLE, AND ALL DISTINGUISHED BY ELEGANCE AND LUCIDITY OF STYLE."
WILLIAM SMITH, WHILE WRITING FOR THE PUBLICATIONS SUCH AS THE "LITERARY GAZETTE," AND "ATHENAEUM," USED THE PEN NAME, "THE WOOL-GATHERER."
YOU MIGHT ALSO WISH, AFTER READING THIS, TO LOOK UP THE TEXT OF "GRAVENHURST; OR THOUGHTS AND GOOD AND EVIL," ON GOOGLE BOOKS, WHERE IT HAS BE FULLY RE-PUBLISHED.
It might appear, from using this detailed, literarily complicated opening biography, first released in 'The Dictionary of National Biography,' published by the Oxford Press, that I'm actually trying to scare readers off. I'm pretty sure, this information won't stir the younger readers, and I can't imagine the hisses I'd get, if I had to present this to a high school history class. Those not hissing, would be snoring, or asking to go to the washroom.....repeatedly. It's a tough sell but then I've been doing this historical stuff since I was a kid.....so I've gotten used to people switching me off for self preservation; which does speak to my own rather boring existence mired in the archives of local history.
I'm so positive about this particular story, and the connection we've never really made with William Henry Smith, that it's worth the risk, to keep plugging along, in this 150th anniversary month, of the official naming of the Town of Gravenhurst's first post office, by postal authority William Dawson LeSueur, after the title of the British author's book, "Gravenhurst; or Thoughts on Good and Evil." That date was August Ist, 1862, and one hundred and fifty years later, there is virtually no buzz, little interest, and no will to pursue much more knowledge than presently exists, about the historial and literary connection with old England. Well, that's never stopped me before. So here goes some more biographical information from the National Biography:
"His novel 'Ernesto,' a story connected with the conspiracy of Fiesco, had appeared in 1835. It has considerable psychological but little narrative interest. Similar qualities and defects characterizes his tragedy of 'Athelwold,' (1842) although it was greatly admired by Mrs. Taylor, the Egeria of Stuart Mill, whose scrap of criticism is one of the very few utterances of hers that have found their way to print. Macready produced a curtailed version in 1843, and his and Helen Faucit's acting, procured it a successful first night; more was hardly to be anticipated. It was published in 1846 along with 'Sir William Crichton,' another tragedy, and 'Guidone,' and 'Solitude.' From this time Smith lived chiefly at Keswick in the Lake District. In 1851, he unexpectedly received an offer from Professor Wilson to supply temporarily his place as professor of moral philosophy at Edinburg, but he was diffident, and had begun to write 'Thorndale,' and the tempting offer was declined. 'Thorndale; or the Conflict of Opinions,' was published in 1857, and, notwithstanding its length and occasional abstruseness, speedily gained acceptance with thoughtful readers. In the previous year he had become acquainted with his future wife, Lucy Caroline, daughter of George Cumming, M.D. whom he married at St. John's Church, Notting Hill, on the 5th of March, 1861," records the National Biography.
"Gravenhurst; or Thoughts on Good and Evil,' was published the same year. It confirmed and extended the reputation acquired by 'Thorndale,' but Smith owes much more to his wife's beautiful and affectionate record of their married life, almost devoid of incident as it is. His health began to decline in 1869, and he died at Brighton on the 28th of March, 1872. Mrs. Smith survived until the 14th of December 1881. Apart from her memoir (which the Gravenhurst Archives possesses in its collection), her literary work had principally consisted of translations from the German, both in prose and verse. Next after the biography, which has embalmed his name, Smith will chiefly be remembered by his philosophical dialogues, 'Thorndale,' and 'Gravenhurst'. The mutual relation of the books is indicated by the author himself, when he says that "Thorndale,' is a conflict of opinions, and 'Gravenhurst,' a harmony. No man was better qualified by inate candour and impartiality to balance conflicting opinions against each other, or by acuteness to exhibit the strong and weak points of all. The eclectic character of his mind aided the diffusion of the books; every one found much that commended itself to him, while less popular views were expressed with an urbanity which disarmed hostility, and the hesitation to draw definite conclusions was an additional attraction to a public weary of dogmatism. If these really charming compositions have become in a measure obsolete, the chief reason is the importation of physical science as an element in moral discussions, but their classic elegance will always secure them an honorable, if not influential place in the history of modern speculation.
"Smith's dramatic gift was not inconsiderable; his personages are well individualised both in his dialogues and his dramas. Of the latter, 'Sir William Crichton,' a play of the story times of James II of Scotland, is the more effective. 'Athelwold,' is a clear immitation of the style of Sir Henry Taylor, and, like the latter's 'Edwin the Fair,' brings Dunstan upon the stage. Both plays are full of wisdom, beautifully expressed, but neither is very vital nor very real."
"I call this somewhat irregular esssay on a very old subject by the name of the place in which it was written, because allusions to that place and its inhabitants, and some conversations with neighbouring friends, have crept into it," wrote William Henry Smith, in his book, "Gravenhurst; or Thoughts on Good and Evil," published in Edinburgh, originally in 1861. "One evening when returning from my walk through a village which, at least in these pages, bears the name of 'Gravenhurst,' I found myself meditating on the old problem of good and evil, and that apparently disproportionate amount of evil, which has often perplexed profoundest thinkers, and which has often startled into thought the most simple-hearted of men, when suffering themselves under any sharp calamity," wrote Smith of the community he used as the model for his study.
"A visit paid to a poor woman in distress, and a conversation held with a dear friend who keeps alive in me the habit of philosophical discussion, had led my thoughts in this direction. It was the hour of sunset. As I paused upon the parapet of our little bridge, the distant Welsh hills were glowing in their purple splendour; the river ran gold at my feet; every branch of every graceful tree that hung silently in the air received and reflected a new beauty from that entire scene of enchantment, to which also it brought its own contribution. The whole which is formed itself of separate parts, gives to each part its meaning and charm,"
More on the good Mr. Smith in tomorrow's blog. Please join me for another in the series of blog-chapters, recognizing the 150th anniversary of the naming of the Town of Gravenhurst, Ontario, on August 1st, 1862.
To view the music video, celebrating this milestone, you can click onto it for a viewing, in the box at the beginning of today's blog.
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