Book Reviews

Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Acadian, offering rather a preponder- idolatrous"—evidence, perhaps, of Volume VIII (1851-60), Francess G. ance of politicians, landowners, and what MacKinnon calls Rankin's "force- Halpenny, General Editor. Toronto: clerics. The major clerical biographies ful personality". Another small point University of Toronto Press, 1985.1129 are of two important Presbyterian min- is that J. M. Bumsted and H. T. Hol- pp., $30.00 hardcover. isters, John Keir (by Susan Buggey) man's fine biography of Chief Justice and John MacLennan (by Jean M. E. J. Jarvis fails to mention the exis- In most eases, the prospect of review- MacLennan), and of the second bishop tence of a portrait of Jarvis, which ing a volume of more than a thousand of Charlottetown, Bernard Donald hangs above the main staircase in the pages would be daunting. But a volume Macdonald (by G. Edward MacDonald). Law Courts Building in Charlottetown. of the Dictionary of Canadian Bio- Also noted is Ronald Macdonald from Volume VIII is noteworthy for the graphy, though a monument of Cana- Priest Pond, Donald Macdonald's fel- number of biographies based largely dian scholarship, also contains a low seminarian and his superior in on oral tradition, including such fasci- wealth of entertainment to tempt the scholastic achievement. Remembereol nating characters as Cape Breton bard historically-interested browser. on the Island chiefly as a seminary John the Hunter and midwife "Granny Volume VIII contains 521 biograph- "drop-out" and keen disappointment to Ross"; legendary New Brunswick run- ies of noteworthy pre-Confederation Bishop MacEachern, Ronald Mac- ner Noel Lola; Anticosti sorcerer Louis Canadians, all of whom died (or flour- donald's biography (by Jocelyn Saint- Gamache; "the Rob Roy of Upper ished) between 1851 and 1860. Ap- Pierre) is included in the DCB for his Canada, Benjamin Lett (whom Pierre proximately 30 Island-related profiles later achievements as a French jour- Berton surely has his eye on); musician are included, the largest number yet nalist in Quebec. Some skilled trades- and folk doctor, Okah Tubbee; eccen- published in a DCB volume. Cross- man are also portrayed: shipbuilder tric naval officer, William Owen; and references helpfully indicate those William Ellis (by Basil Greenhill), the Newfoundland poet and journalist individuals who are themselves pro- builder of Belfast's St. John's Presby- George Webber. However, none of the filed separately, and indexes list sub- terian Church, Robert Jones (by Orlo Island-related entries seems to make jects by place of birth and career, as L. Jones), printer James Bagnall (by use of oral tradition. To cite one in- well as occupation. Marianne Morrow), and painter George stance, the addition of posthumous These place indexes, a fairly recent Thresher (by Irene L. Rogers). legends of miraculous cures would have innovation in the DCB series, are very Since these brief lives cannot be enhanced the biography of Father useful to those with a particular focus, expected to be the equivalent of a full James W. Duffy. These legends arose such as Prince Edward Island history. biography, and since the writing and around Kelly's Cross, where Father In Volume VIII, for example, Islanders editorial arrangement are excellent, few Duffy spent the last two years of his life can gain perspective on the land reform quibbles can be noted. Kenneth Mac- as parish priest after a long and some- movement by reading the biographies Kinnon states that Coun Douly Ran- times controversial career in New- of George Dalrymple, Ambrose Lane, kin was from an ancient line of pipers, foundland and Nova Scotia. and Charles Worrell (by M. Brook but does not personalize the point: since But what is most important to remark Taylor), Donald McDonald and Dun- Rankin was an army officerwho once is how much entertainment as well as can Maclean (by Ian Ross Robertson), commanded over 700 Island Highland- enlightenment is to be found in the and Lieutenant Governors Charles ers, and was later president of the local DCB. Despite the enforced brevity of Douglass Smith, Sir John Harvey, and Highland Society, one may be forgiven the entries, historical periods are Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy (by for wondering if he did any piping on depicted in the rise and fall and inter- Phillip Buckner). Also pertinent is the Island. Recently seen in the Public actions of individual contemporaries. Buckner's 15-page introductory essay Archives of Prince Edward Island, Fortunately, the range of Island per- to Volume VIII, "The Colonial Office moreover, and apparently signed by sonalities and classes covered in the and British North America, 1801-50." Rankin, is a copy of "The Declaration DCB is somewhat broader in the series While it is clearly not a reflection of against Popery", a document declaring generally than in Volume VIII. editorial policy, the Island-related bio- many of the tenets of the Roman graphies contain no woman nor any Catholic Church "superstitious and Jim Hornby

37 Freetown, Past and Present, by the cational History", "Religion", "Com- suffers greatly from the omission of Freetown Historical Society. Freetown: munity Organizations", "Community adequate footnotes and a complete Freetown Historical Society, 1985. 464 Life and Communications", and "Re- index and bibliography. Furthermore, pp. (illus.), $20.00 paperback. creation". Part Two, "The People", the genealogies would be easier to fol- provides a wealth of genealogical data low if the New England Register sys- Local history has experienced a real on each family that resided at Free- tem of delineation had been used. renaissance in small, rural communi- town, from the early pioneers to the Finally, the cover, which features a ties throughout Prince Edward Island present-day residents. map of the community, could certainly during the past decade. In an effort to The book is a delightful romp back to be more attractive. preserve the history of Freetown, a the formative days of a typical Island Freetown, Past and Present is the group of dedicated people have suc- community. Freetown's development culmination of months of many people cessfully captured on paper life as it and successes are faithfully recorded searching through libraries, archives, once was in their community. The result for posterity in numerous profiles about and fading memories. The book has is the publication of Freetown, Past everything from the harvesting of captured in its pages an enduring sense and Present. potatoes and brickmaking to temper- of community. And there is continuity. Freetown, Past and Present makes a ance societies and taking the pledge. The co-operative effort which produced major contribution to the social history The book is generously illustrated with Freetown, Past and Present represents of Prince Edward Island. The book's an abundance of clearly reproduced the same sense of community that the 464 pages are divided into two parts. photographs which depict the life of book commemorates. Generations of The first consists of nine chapters, the community. In addition, the text is Freetowners will enjoy the book for which provide an invaluable source of relieved by many fine examples of poe- years to come. So will all its readers. information: "Location and Physical try written by and about local people. Setting", "Pioneer Settlement", Unfortunately for the serious histor- Allan J. MacRae "Transportation", "Economy", "Edu- ian, the book has a negative side. It

Abegweit Dynasty: The Story of ing off-Island athletic competition and item of interest. Although the book is the Abegweit Amateur Athletic travel in general during this period. written so as to appeal to a general Association, 1 8 9 9 - 1 9 5 4 by H. In the final Part, the chapters chron- readership, it is still primarily a history, Charles Ballem, Charlottetown: Prince icle the demise of the Association and and readers will want to re-examine Edward Island Museum & Heritage the attempts to revive its former status events and identify references to spe- Foundation, 1986. 128 pp. (illus.), and role in the face of the pressures of cific individuals. An index would make $12.95, paperback. professionalism, reduced revenues, and this a much more efficient process. the development of individual sport This concern is compounded because Abegweit Dynasty provides an ex- governing bodies. Also included in this the book fails to use footnotes or direct cellent overview of the history of the section is an account of the short-lived references. It is clearly not designed to Abegweit Amateur Athletic Associa- rejuvenation of the Association follow- be easily used by other scholars. This is tion, once one of the dominant multi- ing the Second World War. unfortunate because, as I mentioned sport organizations in Canada and Perhaps many individuals will iden- previously, the book is more than a perhaps the most significant single tify Abegweit Dynasty as a storehouse story of a sport organization. It also factor in the early development of of Island sport history. To a great provides some excellent cultural in- organized sport in Prince Edward extent this is true, but I found another sights that would be of interest to other Island. strength of the book to be its coverage researchers. What we are left with is an The book is divided into two Parts. of the cultural changes that were occur- interesting book, but one that will The first deals with the period prior to ring in Prince Edward Island and how probably not be used to the extent that the First World War, the time during these were reflected in sport. it could. which the "Abbies" achieved their I enjoyed reading the book and found The book has a very attractive ap- greatest glory. Included in this section it to be highly informative. ("Abeg- pearance. The print is easy to read and are chapters on the establishment of weit" means much more than a ferry I am impressed with the quality of the the Association, the Abegweit leader- boat.) Besides being a very useful old photographs that are reproduced. ship provided to Prince Edward Island, chronicle of the Association's activi- The pictures provide a nice comple- Maritime, and Canadian sport, and ties, the book does a good job of describ- ment to the text, although there appear early histories of the specific sports ing the various conflicts faced by the to be situations where photographs sponsored by the Association. One fea- Association, in particular, those were included unnecessarily. ture that makes the book enjoyable is involving professionalism and sport I recently mentioned to a collea- the effort the author takes in providing jurisdiction, which were occurring in gue that I was reviewing Abegweit a written picture of the circumstances other parts of North America at about Dynasty. He remarked that Ballem surrounding particular incidents. This the same time. was probably providing a very nice is certainly the case with the descrip- My main criticism of the book has gift to the people of Prince Edward tion of the 1907 trip by the Abegweit nothing to do with the actual writing, Island. After reading the book, I agree hockey team to Newfoundland. While but with its production. The book does completely. reading this section, I developed an not have an index; thus, it is very diffi- appreciation of the difficulties attend- cult for someone to find a particular John McCabe

38 Island Fiddlers, various artists. Spon- piece, "The North Side Tune", and a sition, "The Leaves of Spring"; a med- sored by Fort Augustus and Area Lions medley of traditional jigs. His style is ley of polkas, some of which sound very Club, produced by Jim Hornby/Fox straightforward, relatively unadorned, Irish; a song air, "Irishtown"; and a House Productions, [1986]. $10.95 cas- and rhythmic—good, old-fashioned reel. He is accompanied by piano, gui- sette only. dance fiddling. His segment concludes tar, mandolin, and penny-whistle in with a strathspey and reel medley in simple arrangements. Stephen Toole There are not many commercially the Scottish style. MacPherson is wraps things up with two Cape Breton- available recordings of traditional fid- accompanied by piano, along with a styled medleys, including a Marcel dlers from Prince Edward Island, which guitar on the first two pieces. After Doucet composition, "Space Available", is reason enough to welcome release of MacPherson, Fred McCullough plays the only evidence I note of an Acadian the cassette, Island Fiddlers. Don Messer's "Dawn Waltz" and a influence on Island fiddling. The musicians and repertoire here hornpipe medley, with piano, guitar, A drawback to this collection (one it recorded represent some of the variety and what sounds like bass accompan- shares with most other cassette re- of fiddling traditions on the Island: iment. The entire ensemble, including leases) is the lack of liner notes. Scottish pieces and local compositions a hammer dulcimer, joins in for a med- Instrumentation is not indicated, nor from Cape Breton, a tradition that has ley of the well known "Flowers of even credited, although one assumes strongly influenced Island fiddling; Edinburgh", "Mrs. MacLeod's Reel", that Gary Hughes, Margaret MacKin- tunes of Irish provenance; a waltz and "St. Anne's Reel". One might ask non, Susan Hornby, and George Broth- composed by Don Messer, the well whether these tunes need to be recorded ers, all listed on the cover, play the known fiddler whose style is often mis- yet again, but they provide an oppor- accompaniments. One more fold to the takenly identified with that of Prince tunity for a high-spirited group rendi- paper liner, found sometimes on classi- Edward Island; at least one tune pos- tion, although the definition of the cal releases, would provide room for at sibly of Island origin; and several many instruments is less than ideal. least a modicum of information about widely-played melodies. Jim Hornby performs four varied the performers and their selections. John Dan MacPherson kicks the col- selections: a Cape Breton medley, lection off with a rousing march-like including a Dan R. MacDonald compo- Colin Quigley

The Fishery of Prince Edward example of how history can be taught traps by hand contrasts with the coast Island by Kennedy Wells, Charlotte- backwards, starting with the modern of Maine, where only children and cas- town: Ragweed Press, 1986. 211 pp. world that is most familiar to the reader. ual part-timers still go without powered (illus.), $15.95, paperback. Despite the use of the singular "fish- trap haulers. That such people are able ery" in the title (a matter of local idiom to lobster in Maine is due to the rela- Off-Islanders will doubtless find this separating the author and the reviewer), tively inexpensive licenses available to to be an unusual and fascinating Wells is actually describing here the almost anyone. The lack of a limit on story—an island on the northeast coast processes of all the various fisheries numbers of traps means that profes- of North America which did not develop conducted on the Island. Far and away sional Maine lobstermen sometimes a vigorous fishery until after 1850. the most important of these endeavours, fish over 1,000 traps to make a living. Prince Edward Islanders will certainly in value of the annual catch, is the Power haulers are obviously necessary recognize this account of struggle trapping of lobsters. It was fascinating in such situations. against isolation and foreign domina- to read of Island fishermen throwing Another interesting point about the tion as their own and find it replete back big lobsters in the days when Island fishery is that the principal with interest. canneries bought lobsters for half a fishing activity in the 19th century Author Kennedy Wells characterizes cent each, regardless of size. Obviously, occurred in centres of Acadian settle- the book as "designed to give a thor- a dory load of small lobsters was worth ment. This is very different from ough description of the modern fishing more than the large. We have suspected southern Maine, where the French industry and an historical account of that this happened in Maine under the Canadian immigrants (now Franco- its development and growth." He has same circumstances, but had no docu- Americans) filled the labour needs of certainly succeeded in this goal and mented case of it actually occurring. the textile industry and rarely became has produced a work that is compre- Another echo of the Maine situa- involved in fishing, farming, shipbuild- hensive, well-organized, thought- tion is the relationship between fisher- ing, or seafaring. fully and entertainingly written, his- men and the government officials and In about 1870, Maine's lobster can- torically accurate (to the best of the scientists who regulate the fishery. ning industry peaked with around 27 reviewer's knowledge), and which never There is never agreement as to the canneries. Maine was the only Ameri- loses sight of the importance of the size and behavior of the lobster popu- can State to can lobsters. Thus, it was a individual human in the development lation, and each side considers the great comedown to read Wells's account and operation of a fishery. other arrogant, ignorant, selfish, and of the Prince Edward Island maximum Wells first presents a well-rounded closed-minded. of 246 lobster canneries in 1900. Many picture of the modern-day fishery and There are many other areas, how- of these were short-lived, but it is still its resources, and then proceeds to a ever, where the lobster fisheries of an impressive number. historical review of the fishery's estab- Prince Edward Island and Maine are Wells's book makes it clear that the lishment and growth, from prehistoric notably different. For example, the fact fishermen of Prince Edward Island times to the present. This is an effective that some Islanders still haul lobster have been for many years the subject of

39 intensive study by both the federal and Four, where a heading promises a sub- liography. There are also a number of provincial governments, and by aca- chapter on "Offshore Boats and Gear". direct quotes in the text with no attri- demics as well. This point makes even After three paragraphs on this theme, buted source. Present-day readers of more astonishing the biggest bomb- the text reverts, without another a Prince Edward Island literature could shell of the book: the assertion, on the major heading, to a discussion of shell- undoubtedly reconstruct the footnotes first page of the text, that fishermen fish, Irish moss, and aquaculture. for much of the book. However, a work were long held to be socially inferior to The book is well-illustrated, with of history like this is also written for farmers. Many readers may wish for special praise due to artist P. John the readers of the future, who will have more exposition of this point, for this Burden. Maps are used to good advan- a more difficult time finding the sources situation is not universal. Perhaps it tage. There are also several excellent Wells used. was a function of cultural prejudice, photographs, although some of them That criticism, of course, will not since many early fishermen on the are reproduced a trifle small and dark. affect the average reader, nor is it Island were Acadians. Maine fisher- The only major criticism to be made meant to. This book is insightful, men, traditionally of Anglo-Saxon is the lack of information on the sources heaped with information, delightfully descent, have historically been consid- of Wells's material. Credit is given to written, and is heartily recommended ered at least the farmer's social equals. researchers Geoff Hogan and Dr. Ed for all who are interested in Prince Organizationally, the book is quite MacDonald, and there is a four- Edward Island or maritime history sound. The only place where the plan paragraph note on sources, but there and the fisheries. are no footnotes, chapter notes, or bib- seems to break down is in Chapter Nathan P. Lipfert

Understanding the Loyalists by J. the Loyalist question is acute. In his the study of both the reality and M. Bumsted, The Winthrop Pickard lectures, Bumsted has taken a provoca- mythology of Loyalism. Bumsted's Bell Lectures in Maritime Studies, No. tive first step in that direction. main contention is essentially simple, 5, Sackville, New Brunswick: Centre Bumsted begins his study with a but extraordinarily important in terms for Canadian Studies, Mount Allison review and re-evaluation of the early of its implications. It may well be, he University, 1986. 51 pp., $8.50, work done on the Loyalists in Canada argues, that British North Americans paperback. and the United States. Esther Clark did not so much reject the Revolution Wright's The Loyalists of New Bruns- as confirm their British allegiance. Seen Jack Bumsted needs no introduction wick is justifiably singled out as the thus, the Loyalists would include not to most readers of The Island Maga- best of the earlier Canadian works, only the exiles, but the resident popula- zine. He has published widely on Island though, ironically, it was written by a tions of Canada and Nova Scotia. Only topics and has been a frequent visitor non-academic and ignored for years by by coming to know a great deal more to the province; For the 1985/86 aca- professionals. about the refugees and the permanent demic year, Bumsted held the Winthrop The second lecture surveys Loyalist populations will the riddle of identity Pickard Bell Chair of Maritime Studies historiography since the early 1960s. be resolved. Bumsted, at least, seems to at Mount Allison University. This use- Bumsted's assessment of the topic is be asking the right question. ful little book originated in three lec- thorough and balanced, useful for both This is a good book—one that will tures given in February, 1986 as the the specialist and the general reader. find its way to graduate school reading Winthrop Pickard Bell lectures. His point, which is well taken, is that, lists very quickly. It will also inform Bumsted's choice of topic for his lec- despite massive increases in research the general reader, as Bumsted in- ture series was timely, given the recent funds, more scholarly attention, and tended, about a central debate in North bicentennials in both Ontario and New the "new" social history, we really American history. Brunswick. Although Loyalism and have not progressed very far in Loyal- Loyalists have received a great deal of ist studies. attention in the past few years, the The third and final lecture is an Andrew Robb need for a critical re-interpretation of attempt to suggest new approaches to

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