BEATING THE PROVERBIAL DEAD HORSE, MAY BE MY LOT ON LIFE -
I CAN'T LET 153 YEARS GO BY, WITHOUT GIVING IT YET ANOTHER SHOT; GRAVENHURST DESERVES ITS LITERARY PROVENANCE FULFILLED
I'm getting sentimental in my fringe relationship as an elder statesman. I get particularly so, during the approach to anniversaries I hold near and dear. Of course, our wedding anniversary is right up there. But then so are the historical projects I've devoted considerable chunks of time toward over four decades. The first of August for me, marks the occasion, in 1862 and 1864, of the naming of fledgling post office outlets in both Gravenhurst and Bracebridge in that order. I'm not a postal nut about this kind of milestone; just fascinated that our two South Muskoka towns are named after books, written by highly accomplished authors, from Britain and the United States, that is as under-recognized and celebrated as it has been for over 150 years. It's just one of those confound situations that keeps a fellow like me awake at nights, because both towns continue to struggle for new ways to promote their assets and economy. You could do a lot worse than having William Henry Smith and Washington Irving on your side. I can't resist a retrospective of this history every August, even if it starts smacking of nothing more than an old historian's last will and testament, that someone, at sometime, will capitalize on a good, good, thing,
I got up early this morning, because Suzanne had an early appointment with the dentist. I took my cup of coffee, and sat down in my office chair, that affords me a nice, clear view down onto the yard, and the wetland across the lane. There were birds flitting about the heavy boughs of the maples, onto the rim of the large bird feeder, made out of an old street light, attached to the front porch railing; and the sound of their cheerful chirping was quite amazing, and altogether cheerful after a restless night with a fan blowing in my ear. The air was nicely chilled down, from the humidity of a few hours earlier, and the sunny scene was nothing short of remarkable for its framing of nature's vibrancy. I couldn't find a more attractive, alluring place in which to anchor myself, on these early-morning writing ventures, which are today, usually the results of the happenstance of nothing else to do. Most of my writing work, these days, is done in the studio of our Gravenhurst shop, which is an inspiring place because of the musical instruments, and those who play them; but it is a little shy of the actuality, of which I am most profoundly interested. Scenes like what unfolds in front of me now, in the way of little birds of different feathers, dining at the feeder, which I remind myself just now, I must soon refill. Even in the few moments I've been stationed here, there have been three squirrels bouncing through the overhanging boughs, and a rabbit cut through the front yard to get into the little forest we have at the side of the house. Birch Hollow isn't a cottage, and the lakeshore is two blocks west, but by golly, as far as exposure to nature, we get the best of both worlds here, bordering on The Bog.
I confess most sincerely, that I dislike the intrusive politics of our home town. And in turn, the political sort, and all the connected cronies, dislike me as much. It is difficult, in this town, to distance oneself, from all that is politically influenced, with its inherently dangerous undertow. The only ones to refute my assessment in this regard, are those of the political ilk, who know how to work the system to their general advantage. Ask John Q. Citizen out there, whether our small South Muskoka community is too political for its own good, and you'll get some pretty interesting responses. Those who perpetrate this kind of political kinship, blatantly obvious in many quarters, don't see it as being anything detrimental to the town. Why would they? I've often thought of politics in this town, as being like the "Survivor" reality television show, and the forming of alliances to out muster opponents. Of course it's nothing all that exceptional, and happens in communities everywhere on earth; but it repels needed and objective input, because it is the prevailing political will to do so, and not because the input is either wrong, or counter-productive to the community's progress. If it comes from the mouths of the politically connected, well then, that's a different story. It must be right considering the source.
The very great and acidic irony here, is that the fellow who named this community, William Dawson LeSueur, believed in the critical approach as an historian. He didn't care about political protocols, and I suppose you might say, political correctness. He even challenged Stephen Leacock, when he wrote a popular history of Canada that didn't report anything newly discovered from research, to challenge previously accepted record and thought. In other words, he accused Leacock of selling out, and writing a popular history for the vested interest, for nothing more than a pay cheque. LeSueur took-on any author /historians who continued to embellish the record of William Lyon Mackenzie, the Scottish firebrand, one of the leaders of the Rebellion in Upper Canada, who they claimed was stalwart, courageous, and the reason the action succeeded in bringing about responsible government. LeSueur found quite the opposite to hold true, in many cases of the previously accepted version of Mackenzie's life, and most notably, his reckless political interference, that put all of the other rebels at risk. His claim, based on many interviews with authorities, and considerable research above and beyond what had been undertaken previously, was that Mackenzie was bumbling in his actions, and not much of a leader at all. The results would have been the same if he had not been involved in the uprising.
Mackenzie's grandson, the future Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie King, was so outraged when he heard rumours, about the book's contrary content, that he pulled as many strings as he could, with all those in the book industry, forcing the publisher to reconsider the commitment to release LeSueur's biography, of the Upper Canadian Firebrand. In fact, King was so good at his political manipulations, that LeSueur's book wasn't published until both men were pushing up daisies. As it turned out, LeSueur was, as they say "spot on," with much of the new information, he had brought to the forefront of this Canadian biography. It is an often used reference today, when writers again revisit the story of Mackenzie. Point here, in the context of the naming of our community, here in South Muskoka, after a book by a British poet? Well, in my opinion, there is nothing at all wrong, with being connected to a well respected British author, with many credits to his name. Yet, I have been made to feel, time and again, as if it is an inconvenient truth, and it may be long after my own demise, before someone with reverence to such things, feels a relationship between town and author, must be forged in a more thorough, all encompassing manner. I hate the idea that I have to die first, but what the heck. The story is of much greater importance than a worn-out hack, gnawing on an old bone. LeSueur, a brilliant writer, thorough, critical-thinking historian, and visionary, gave Gravenhurst its name in the most respectful way he could. He thought we might benefit from a relationship from a British scholar, poet / philosopher, and although he was guilty of not offering hamlet residents his reasoning, in written form at the time, he can be forgiven today, me thinks; allowing the modernists half a chance, to benefit from a relationship, that has great future potential, if embraced as being important provenance. And then there is the same shortfall of Bracebridge, to embrace its literary provenance with American Author, Washington Irving, and the book, "Bracebridge Hall," also the handiwork of William Dawson LeSueur, two years later than the naming of Gravenhurst.
As for the town beyond the political currents, doing what they do to cast a community in their own likeness, I have thoroughly enjoyed living, working and raising a family here, and now operating a business. I adore the natural embrace of the hinterland upon the urban landscape, and Birch Hollow's situation, across from The Bog, has always been my greatest asset, as far as always having things to write-about. It will never be said I haven't taken full advantage of what has been offered to me. In return, I have tried, to the best of my ability, to give the town, without holding back a single detail, full knowledge of a relationship with a literary giant, that has never been fully embraced. If the politics of the community, had thought it worthwhile, I'm sure they would have taken what they wanted of the story, and applied it as they saw fit. The fact an antagonist like me, has put this relationship forward, in the first place, has destined it to the deepest recesses of the vault where, apparently, all adverse history belongs. A literary history shared with England, that should have been embraced for all its potential, was dismissed as if it carried nothing of value whatsoever.
There are still quite a few history-themed projects I would like to complete before the undertaker comes to haul me away, on that "feet first" exit from home quarters. The last, and I mean it, chapter, of my biography; presumably I will collapse onto my laptop, while sitting here at the desk, with a full view over The Bog, and the Birch Hollow gardens, which are pretty wild in character these days. When it's revealed what I was working on, at the time rigor mortis set in, undoubtedly, it will have been a sudden death, brought on by heart breaking frustration. It will probably be yet another overview of either Washington Irving's influence on the Town of Bracebridge, or Poet William Henry Smith's literary contribution, to my present hometown, of Gravenhurst. I have been re-visiting former research projects, lately, of which I have been most fascinated about, (even now) going all the way back to the late 1970's, when my work first found an interested publisher, willing to take a risk on a rookie writer, apparently with something to prove. I'm still working on fine tuning this, forty years later. There are stories I've poured thousands of hours into, over many years, such as Washington Irving, and Tom Thomson, and of course, William Henry Smith, that I won't let go of, until God has a different plan. Seeing as I've already been introduced to the extent of divine intervention, when I had my childhood visit with a guardian angel, in a fever-induced dream, I'm confident that when the Grim Reaper swings that scythe, I'll be cut-down while in the middle of trying to re-work one of these favorite stories, to give it a fresh perspective for public consumption. Maybe even public acceptance. That would be like finding the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Still one of my career favorites, is the story of British Poet / Philosopher, William Henry Smith, and the naming of Gravenhurst, Ontario, in 1862, by federal postal authority of the time, William Henry Smith, author of the book, "Gravenhurst; or Thoughts on Good and Evil." It has been 153 years since the literary provenance was granted by a very well-meaning Dr. LeSueur, who would have thought the hamlet would one day benefit from having a connection with a revered author. His "Gravenhurst" book is still being used in universities to this day. As it is coming up on the anniversary of the official naming of the Gravenhurst Post Office in 1862, I have decided to re-run material that I used on the occasion of the 150th anniversary, the town decided to overlook, because of the fellow behind the pen. I'm not their favorite historian that's pretty obvious. But it's a fine literary heritage that will one day inspire a more fruitful relationship with old England. Hopefully, when I can still give a toast, in full historian's regalia, with epelets sewn onto the shoulders of my gnatty wool sweater, and an admiral's hat tipped to one side (to show my lighter side), in a public forum; a toast of good cheer offered to a great writer, and a revered Canadian historian; neither being me. William Dawson LeSueur, and William Henry Smith respectively. Please indulge me, by allowing what I feel it is incumbent upon me to present, as a long suffering historian, as yet another introduction to a 153 year old relationship that has never been fully appreciated and celebrated as it should.
By the way, when speaking about both these historical realities, to audiences, the way the presentation begins now, is "The history that no one ever wanted." Isn't that crazy? I'm just tickled when I can turn on a few citizens each year, to what I consider a rather remarkable story, despite the disinterest of town officials. I still have a few good years left, to keep trying.
BACK TO AUGUST 1862
So when he (W.D. LeSueur) made it official, that the Muskoka Bay hamlet would be called "Gravenhurst," it's likely a few of the citizens, at the time, were privileged to some information, as to why their name was rejected, and why another title was selected. Maybe it didn't matter at the time. I've never read any reference to "Hamlet citizens riot over sudden name change for post office." If they were mad, it didn't warrant rebellion or protest, although I can't say if there had ever been an appeal launched to save the name "McCabe's Landing."
Now here's how I got involved in this project, because this will explain how I've arrived at this point…….planning a blog celebration to honor the 150th anniversary of getting a name we didn't ask for. Hey, Bracebridge got the same treatment. Two year later, their chosen name of 'North Falls," didn't turn LeSueur's crank either, so he awarded them the title, "Bracebridge." Before LeSueur died however, a reporter for a local newspaper, confronted him at an event in Toronto, and he confessed that it was true, the "Bracebridge" name had been taken from the title of a book by American author Washington Irving. Here's where it gets interesting for Gravenhurst you see. Either LeSueur didn't understand the next question, or the reporter misquoted the former postal authority. Somehow, in some fashion, the reporter included a question about the naming of Gravenhurst as well, and it was jotted down……that LeSueur admitted, he had also found the name "Gravenhurst" in Washington Irving's book. THIS WAS NOT TRUE!
This one gigantic error, of reporting, or LeSueur's simple misunderstanding of the question, or having an extra glass of bubbly at the historian's convention, (and not hearing correctly) caused immeasurable damage over the years, and I can't tell you precisely, how many books and reference sources in Canada and elsewhere, contain this historical error. It's not an easy fact to erase, because even new books out today, especially some of the specialty books on "Names of Canadian Towns and Cities," use reference material that is inaccurate. Web sites, and online references, often contain this erroneous information, and it drives me crazy because it is so far wrong. It's one of the reasons I would love to see our town take an interest in the 150th anniversary of the granting of the title "Gravenhurst." I'd be happy if they did it to finally set the record straight. They don't have to like the handiwork of W.D. LeSueur or British Poet William Henry Smith, who wrote the book "Gravenhurst." Suffice that we could officially correct, that we were not named after the same book as Bracebridge.
Here's a little historical detail to mull over. When I was doing a book on the naming of Bracebridge, circa July 1864, I got caught on this odd detail, that LeSueur, a brilliant literary critic and Canadian historian, would have used Irving's text to scrounge for a name to present to our hamlet. But this is what Bracebridge historians were still fobbing-off as the truth. How nuts was this? Why would LeSueur, not use the name "Bracebridge" when the folks from McCabe's Landing made their official request for postal status? Why would he have read through Irving's book, for some obscure title to borrow? Why not just take the name off the title page, as he did with Bracebridge, two years later. If you follow my logic here, the names then should have been reversed. Gravenhurst got its name two full years ahead of the hamlet ten miles north. This is what Bracebridge historians have claimed, and probably still cling to, because it had been imbedded in the work of the community's most trusted historians. They certainly shunned me for finding this out. And all it took was buying a copy of "Bracebridge Hall," and reading through the text. It didn't hurt to have back-up information from Irving scholars in the United States, and his museum at Sunnyside in New York, to verify this as true. Irving never referenced Gravenhurst in any of his books……and there were quite a few books to examine. I even provided the book to our own historical experts in Gravenhurst, and gave them the same challenge. If what Bracebridge historians had been writing for years was true, then they would actually be able to find the name themselves. Case closed. To that point however, they had not read this book, to reject or concur with this inaccurate detail of our community history. So the fact was, our town was not named by LeSueur, as inspired by Washington Irving.
What local historians here didn't realize, was that LeSueur was not just a run-of-the-mill pencil-pusher with the federal postal authority. The written assessment, touted as accurate by the historical community, was that LeSueur had simply borrowed the name from a book he was reading at the time. On the toilet? Was it that cavalier an event? This was untrue, because LeSueur was a well known literary student, and budding critic, and would become well known in the literary world……and many publications, such as Blackwoods, sought out his opinions. When he granted the name "Bracebridge," he was honoring both the integrity of the new community, and paying tribute to the memory of one of the world's finest authors, Washington Irving. Two years earlier, he did the same thing, but borrowed the name Gravenhurst, from a philosophical work by William Henry Smith, also revered as a literary critic. Both Smith and LeSueur knew each other from their connection with specialty magazines, where Smith used the pen name "Wool Gatherer." Smith lived until 1872, ten full years after the name was granted, and this means, "Gravenhurst" was a tribute given to a living, still-writing author. I suspect, and I may be wrong, that LeSueur may have let his associate know about the naming of a hamlet in Canada, in his honor. It should be our honor as well. LeSueur must have had an incredible opinion of William Henry Smith, in this case, as he was very serious when it came to matters of philosophy.
William Henry Smith was born in Hammersmith, London, in 1808. In 1821 he attended Glasgow University, and in 1823 he entered a lawyer's apprenticeship and was called to the bar, but never practiced law as a profession. He was a regular contributor to major publications such as the "Literary Gazette," "Athenaeum" and "Blackwood's Magazine." For Blackwoods, he had a 30 year relationship as their philosophical critic. This is most likely where he met up with LeSueur, as this is what he was writing for North American publications, and obviously shared some opinions. Smith was offered the chair of Moral Philosophy at University of Edinburgh, but he didn't want to leave the studious, creative life in the Lake District. In 1857 he wrote "Thordale," a philosophical romance, considered, at the time, "of real intellectual value," by critics. "Gravenhurst, "Or Thoughts on Good and Evil," was published in 1862, also as a philosophical tome. So when LeSueur got a review copy, he must have approved, because he borrowed the name for our town. Smith also wrote two major plays, including "Athelwold," and "Sir William Crichton." He died in Brighton, England, on the 28th of March, 1872. In the world of contemporary philosophy….."Gravenhurst" is in active reprint, and if you were to look it up on the Advanced Book Exchange, you would be able to find many of the modern day editions for sale. Thus it is still a coveted book.
As a matter of historical record, in the late 1990's, while working on this project, Suzanne and I decided to purchase a post 1872 copy of Smith's book, for the town Archive's Committee….as they didn't have a copy. In 1967, in the book "Light of Other Days," there was a stated reference to the possibility William Henry Smith might have been the source of the name Gravenhurst, but there was nothing conclusive. I wanted to fix that. So we found an American rare book dealer, and purchased a second edition, important because it contained a memorial biography by Smith's wife…..which I thought was more important for the town to have, in order to know more about the author responsible for our name. So guess what? There was a missing postal code on the parcel. Thus the Gravenhurst Post Office sent the book back to the United States, because they didn't have the right address. How ironic is this? The very Post Office that was granted its name from this book, chucked it into the undeliverable bin…….despite having everything else in the address except the postal code. I got it on the second try. When I contacted the committee, to tell them of our plan to donate the book, I also had to note that the text had an extended title, they may not be very happy about. "The Good and Evil" part. You have to read the book to appreciate that this isn't anything bad. It's actually kind of neat.
At the same time, we donated a copy of a book written for Carleton University, on William Dawson LeSueur…..the postal authority with a little bit more!!!! Plus an Archives Canada black and white portrait of the man who brought a fledgling town together, with an internationally recognized poet / philosopher.
I will have much more information on Smith in July, when I host a massive…..or modest, 150th Anniversary of the naming of the Town of Gravenhurst. I've got to do it on the cheap, as I don't have any grant money to purchase a plaque, and as it isn't generally accepted as interesting by the town anyway, we'll just share some information about what we believe is a hell of an honor……and let the world know how proud we should be of our little burg here in the Ontario hinterland. I know it's not as prestigious as the 125th anniversary of incorporation, celebrated by the town a week ago. You know I'm being sarcastic, right?
HAVE A LITTLE GOOGLE FOR A HISTORY LESSON
What cost us more than a hundred bucks, for a second edition, is now free for all of us to enjoy, courtesy the fine folks at GOOGLE BOOKS. If you would like to read what all the fuss is about, you can Google up "Google Books," and register to read "Gravenhurst, or Thoughts on Good and Evil," by William Henry Smith. You judge for yourself, if this is a namesake we should be proud of. Or were we a happier population, when Bracebridge was handling this for us……..as a name found somewhere in the text of "Bracebridge Hall." We have a right to celebrate our literary provenance. This is an international honor. The 125th Anniversary folks, is very much a clerical, statistical bit of heritage, that frankly, isn't marketable on its own. So if you have wondered, what makes me so damn mad in this town, here it is in a nutshell. Town Hall has taken advice that the 125th, as it coincides with the same number of years as the RMS Segwun, is the holy grail of coincidences. Maybe it is. But I'll offer the 150th anniversary celebration, as gentle and no frills as it will have to be, with the conviction that it is of much greater importance……and should be recognized. So here's your chance to make the comparisons yourself. Let me know what you think.
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