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The Settlers in Canada is a novel by Frederick Marryat, a British Royal Navy officer and author known for his adventure stories. Published in 1844, the book is part of Marryat's broader body of work that often explores themes of colonialism, survival, and frontier life.
The novel follows the Campbell family, who emigrate from England to Canada in search of a better life. They settle in the wilderness of Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario) and face numerous challenges, including harsh weather, conflicts with Indigenous peoples, and the difficulties of establishing a homestead in an untamed land.
The story blends adventure, survival, and moral lessons, typical of 19th-century children's literature. Marryat portrays the settlers' resilience while also reflecting the colonial attitudes of the time regarding Indigenous peoples and land ownership.
Marryat wrote during a period of British emigration to Canada, particularly after the War of 1812 and the Rebellions of 1837-1838. His portrayal of Canada reflects both the allure of new opportunities and the challenges faced by settlers.
While not as famous as Marryat's sea adventures (Mr. Midshipman Easy, The Children of the New Forest), The Settlers in Canada remains an interesting example of 19th-century colonial literature. Modern readers may critique its Eurocentric viewpoint, but it provides insight into the attitudes of the time.
About the Author
Captain Frederick Marryat CB FRS (10 July 1792 - 9 August 1848) was a Royal Navy officer and novelist. He is noted today as an early pioneer of nautical fiction, particularly for his semi-autobiographical novel Mr Midshipman Easy (1836). He is remembered also for his children's novel The Children of the New Forest (1847). In addition, he developed a widely used system of maritime flag signalling, known as Marryat's Code.
From 1832 to 1835, Marryat edited The Metropolitan Magazine. Additionally, he kept writing novels; his biggest success came with Mr Midshipman Easy in 1836. He lived in Brussels for a year, travelled in Canada and the United States, and moved to London in 1839, where he was in the literary circle of Charles Dickens and others. He was in North America in 1837 when rebellion broke out in Lower Canada, and served with the expeditionary force sent to suppress it.
Marryat's novels are typical of their time, with concerns of family connections and social status often overshadowing the naval action. He based much of his fiction on his 25 years' experience at sea. Among those who admired his works were Mark Twain, Joseph Conrad, and Ernest Hemingway. As the first nautical novels, they served as models for 20th century works by C. S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian. These also were set in the time of Nelson and told of young men rising through the ranks due to their successes as naval officers.
Marryat was also known for short writings on nautical subjects. These short stories, plays, pieces of travel journalism, and essays were published in The Metropolitan Magazine, and many were later collected in book form as Olla Podrida.
Marryat's 1839 Gothic novel The Phantom Ship contained "The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountains". This featured the first female werewolf to appear in a short story.
In 1839, Marryat also published his Diary in America, a travelogue that reflects his criticisms of American culture and society. The book and the author were both subject to acts of violence. The book and Marryat's effigy were each burned in public. ... (wikipedia.org)
