Down North and Up Along, by Margaret W. Morley (1858 - 1923)

Cat No.:   CA0076:

Is this just another early 1900's travel book? Well it might be except for the extraordinary story telling ability of the author, Margaret W. Morley. Margaret was an American who came to Nova Scotia with a companion, and who traveled the length of the province, including Cape Breton, recording her impressions of the surroundings and of some of the people she met. She illustrates her adventures with 16 beautiful black and white photographs and three maps.

What lifts this book out of the ordinary is Margaret's ability to make you feel as if you're right there with her, seeing the rugged scenery for the first time and smelling the strong, salt laden, air. Her descriptions don't stop at the superficial either. The basic geology is described in easy to understand terms and she retells the local legends and tales as if they were happening today.

I'm sure that most of us have heard the name Evangeline, even if the story won't come to mind. But do you know who Glooscap's huntsmen are, or why the loon gives voice to his strange cry? Nor are all of Margaret's stories so fanciful. I nearly cried with laughter while reading her tale of the boarding of a horse onto the local ferry at the dockside in Parrsboro and came to know another horse named Dan who pulled Margaret's carriage around Cape Breton - which we're told must be pronounced Cape Britton when you talk to the locals.

If you are looking for a really good book which will give you a feel for life in Nova Scota at the very beginning of the 20th century - you have just found it.

No. of CDs is:  1 ;   Format is:  PDF ;   Searchable?:  YES;

FastFind:  No;  ISBN No.:   1-897338-24-4;