Acadiensis/Volume 1/Number 3/On Certain Literary Possibilities
On Certain Literary Possibilities.
T the present time there is an enormous demand for literary material. This is especially the case as regards fiction. For example, it will be found that nearly every state in the union to the south of us possesses one or more literary interpreters engaged in prosecuting their art and reaping their pecuniary rewards. Thus, Kentucky is in the hands of Mr. James Lane Allen, Louisiana under the manipulation of Mr. G. W. Cable. And in these days of "localized" fiction-writing, it is interesting to note the possibilities of our Maritime Provinces, and particularly those of Nova Scotia. A few remarks on the subject may fitly find place in Acadiensis.
Nova Scotia, as everyone knows, formed the most important section of the old French province of Acadie. It possesses a history extending back some three centuries, and manifests features—historical and other—which claim a more than passing notice from the seeker after new things in the domain of literature. To a certain degree the field has been exploited, but there remains a large extent of virgin soil. There is plenty of dramatic incident imbedded in the past, while many elements of literary appeal exist to-day on the rugged coast-line or the storied marsh-lands.
At the basis of all literary appeal lies the quality of human interest. Very close to this comes what may be called local colouring,—as of dialect and scenery—which serves to bestow originality and freshness. To engage the attention of the public requires striking character or incident, or strong scenic effect. These requirements may be found without difficulty in the little seaside province.
Of the literary possibilities of Nova Scotia, those of a historical nature are the first to present themselves. The history of the country has not been very long, but it is singularly picturesque. All about it there clings a pleasant flavour of romance.
The French were the first on the scene, arriving towards the beginning of the seventeenth century. The names of DeMonts, Champlain, and the Baron de Poutrincourt group about this early period. These gentlemen adventurers were very interesting figures, and carried with them into the wilderness something of the glamour of old France. Many dramatic incidents are connected with the French régime. There was the famous duel of La Tour and Charnisay—a duel fought out on two continents, and ending in a manner which touches every lover of true romance. Though one could wish, indeed, that La Tour had remained faithful to the memory of the brave lady who waited so long and vainly in the fort at the St. John's mouth above the fierce Fundy tides. Sufficiently dramatic, too, was the appearance before this of Captain Samuel Argall, who went north all the way from Virginia to wipe out the French menace at Port Royal. This place, at the head of its beautiful basin, was for years the centre of French influence. And the hill-ranges round about looked down on many a dubious conflict, when the cannon grumbled over the marshes.
The first successful attempt at colonization was made about 1633, when Isaac de Razilly and Charnisay brought out some families from France. These were the progenitors of the Acadian race. Very capable people they were though for a time they suffered much during the winters. Yet they kept up bravely, and barred out the sea, and felled the forests, and cultivated the marshes. They increase and multiply, so that by and by we find them holding all the fair valley from Port Royal to Piziquid. They spread also round the head of the Bay of Fundy. Their great achievement was reclaiming thousands of acres where formerly the salt waves ranged at will. Their system of dike-building was remarkable for strength and durability. They did not pay much attention to things extraneous, and could not at all understand the inexorable law of race-conflict which brought the English against them.
This struggle, and the events connected therewith, forms the most striking period of Nova Scotian history, The whole subject is shrouded with a mist of controversy, of which the end is not yet. But this is of small consequence to the romancer. Of course we have had the great romance of the Acadians—the tale of "love that hopes, and endures and is patient." Evangeline is a very charming (if very unhistorical) heroine, and the poem shows how much can be made by an artist out of good material. Yet Longfellow's work has by no means exhausted the possibilities of that exciting period. There is strong dramatic value in the opposition of the Acadians and English, and the vast background of the Anglo–French war.
That war presents many opportunities to the storywriter. The time was pregnant with fate; the destiny of three nations hinged upon the outcome. A striking work of fiction lies in the power of him who can read and weigh musty archives, who has an eye for effective incident, and the skill of a literary craftsman. Beauséjour, Grand Prè and Louisbourg call up memories that loom large and are lit with battle-fires.
Another feature of literary interest in Nova Scotia is found in the various periods of settlement. That of the French commenced in 1605, or thereabouts, and ran on for the greater part of a century. About 1748 the English began to take a definite stand. In the summer of 1745 a handful of German settlers were established in what is now the County of Lunenburg. Some twenty years later the Scotch immigration began. It continued until 1820, and was of much importance to the province. The United Empire Loyalists came to Nova Scotia in 1783, and the story of the settlement and abandonment of Shelburne is an interesting chapter of history.
Turning from the historical point of view, we find that even in the present prosaic age Nova Scotia has considerable material for the literary artificer. In the first place, there is the very fascinating element of French survival. Longfellow's words are still substantially true. Acadian damsels do still wear the Norman cap and the homespun kirtle. And if they do not repeat Evangeline's story around the fire, they doubtless have equally entertaining tales of their own. Any writer who has time on his hands would do well to spend a few weeks in the Clare District, or among the Tusket Islands. Here the march of progress has made but little change.
Then there is the presence of what may be termed dialect. The Acadian French is the most important. Two other modes of speech will re-pay study. One is that of Lunenburg and Queens Counties. It possesses a strong German element. The use of pure German has died out within the last fifty years, though many families treasure their old German Bibles. But the speech—and it might be said the customs and physiognomy of this folk shows marked traces of their origin. Up in Cape Breton, and in the Counties of Pictou, Guysborough and Antigonish, you will find Scotch—and very broad Scotch, too. Many of the good people speak Gaelic. This section is peculiarly interesting. It is also characterized by thrift—an essentially Caledonian virtue.
Again, there is enough wild life in Nora Scotia to catch the attention of the literary stroller. Most important in this regard are the Indians—what is left of them. They are a silent race—proud and shy—but if you win their respect through the good fellowship that comes of fishing and shooting, they will tell some strange legends of ancient lore. If you are a writer, however, you must be careful to keep the fact hid, for they dread the publication of the pathetic tales of their past. The best traditions of the Micmacs are handed down orally, and jealously guarded. The better class of Indians preserve a sort of aristocracy. Sometimes they will point out the sites of forgotten villages, now indistinguishable amid the forest.
An important phase of Nova Scotian life is found in the fisheries. Many of our fishermen sail out of Gloucester to the Banks, but many more go from our own ports. Fine fellows they are, and spin a good yarn upon occasion. Moreover, they often build and sail their own schooners. And you seldom hear of a vessel built at Lunenburg, or La Have, or Shelburne, turning up any the worse for a gale of wind.
This brings us, by a natural sequence, to the final note in our hastily-gathered sheaf. Nova Scotia possesses excellent scenic properties. The marsh country is unusual, and produces magnificent sunsets—more particularly the region sentinelled by Blomidon. On the Atlantic coast you get the finest effects. The land is bold, often precipitous, and the sweep of the surges is terrific. The headlands are generally naked granite. Also they are unspoiled as yet by summer cottages or summer tourists. You obtain the scenic impression to advantage on board an inbound steamer, or a homing schooner. If it is winter, and towards sundown of a windy day, so much the better.
As I said at first, the literary field offered by Nova Scotia has by no means been neglected. But there is much remaining to the craftsman who feels moved thereunto.
King's College, Windsor, N. S.