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HISTORICAL WORKS
[Welland Tribune, 12 March 1897]
We cannot resist quoting the following criticisms upon the historical works of well-known local authors, which appeared in a recent issue of the University Review:
“In the Annals of Niagara, by William Kirby, F.R.S.G. (Lundy’s Lane Historical society, 1896), the author of “Le Chien D’Or,” has done for his native place a delightful service. No other town in Ontario has so interesting a history as Niagara. Hither came the first French discoverers, and here were seen the rise and fall of the Great Fort and the assembly of Johnson’s forces. Niagara has been the capital of a new province, and seen an infant parliament meet to lay the foundations of a new state. It has been captured by an enemy and burnt with every accompaniment of barbarity, and later it has seen its commercial prosperity gradually fade away until it has become the quiet and attractive watering place of today. The story Mr. Kirby has well told, with much that is new, either from his own reminiscences or from those who have passed away.” University Review pp. 165-6.
“Capt. Cruikshank’s Documentary History is of very great value. The story of the struggle between the two branches of the Anglo-Saxon race on a frontier close to the barrier of unknown forests and before the era of the war correspondent, has never been told without bias. We may hope that before long such a history will be written and this book will be a great aid to the historians. Captain Cruikshank in tracing the military movement of the campaign of 1814 has departed from the method he has employed in his narratives of the more important engagements, and has given the story as it appears in the official despatches and orders, and in private letters from combatants on both sides. Most of this matter has been hitherto in MS. Only. The arrangement throughout is chronological and the reader therefore can follow easily the movements of the forces on both sides as they were directed day by day from headquarters. Captain Cruikshank carefully refrains from editorial comment and confines his attention to strict accuracy in transcription and arrangement. This sound and scholarly piece of historical work when completed will be of great service.”-University Review, p 81.
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