1842 · London
by Bonnycastle, Richard Henry
London, 1842. Two volumes. x,367; iv,[1],351pp., plus large folding map and three plates. Contemporary three-quarter calf and marbled boards, spine gilt, leather labels. Labels lightly chipped, corners rubbed. Light foxing to plates, but generally quite clean internally. Very good. Richard Henry Bonnycastle (1791-1847) was a British army officer in the Royal Engineers who was assigned to Upper Canada in 1826. He contributed significantly to both infrastructure and educational projects in the colony, and wrote several books on the colony as well. He likewise helped to quell the Canadian Rebellion of 1838. This work focuses on his time in Newfoundland, where he served as commanding engineer. "Between 1841 and 1846 he made his main literary contribution, publishing with Henry Colburn in London THE CANADAS IN 1841 (2v., 1842), NEWFOUNDLAND IN 1842: A SEQUEL TO 'THE CANADAS IN 1841' (2v., 1842), and CANADA AND THE CANADIANS, IN 1846 (2v., 1846). He retired from the engineers in June 1847 and died in Kingston soon after, at the age of 56. A fellow officer and friend, Sir James Edward Alexander, edited Bonnycastle's voluminous notes and published them in CANADA AS IT WAS, IS, AND MAY BE (2v., London, 1852). These works are not great literature, but they were competent and informative tracts which helped to publicize British North America in Britain and to attract middle-class immigrants and investment capital" - DCB. SABIN 6332. TPL 5221. DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY (online).
(Inventory #: WRCAM50714)