James Alexander Roy, author and, since 1920,
Professor of English at Queen's University, Kingston, was educated at
Webster's Seminary and at Edinburgh and Giessen Universities. He was
formerly a Lecturer in English Language and Literature at St. Andrew's
University, and guest Professor at the Universities of Berlin, Gottingen
and Munster, 1936.
During 1915-1919 Professor Roy served with
considerable distinction in the Artillery and Intelligence Staff. G.H.Q.
Critical works by Professor Roy include: Cowper &
His Poetry (1914); Joseph Howe, A Study in Achievement and
Frustration (1935); James Matthew Barrie, An Appreciation
(1937). The Heart is Highland, an autobiography, will be
published this year.
In all my travels I never met with any one Scotchman
but what was a man of sense.
F. Locken, D.D. (1667-1740)
There never came a fool out of Scotland; they all stay
at home.
Anon.
Scotland—that knuckle-end of England, that land of
Calvin, oat-cakes and sulphur.
Sydney Smith (1771-1845)
There used to be a gibe in Scotland that only the
fool of the family stayed at home. According to Professor James A. Roy a
goodly number of the wise ones came to Canada and have there made their
mark. From emigrants they have become nation-builders. By the time they
have reached the second generation they have become more Canadian than
Scot, yet they have retained the qualities that make for success, and
have given their racial characteristics to Canada more than any other
group.
In the first half of The Scot And Canada,
Professor Roy outlines the conditions which have governed the growth of
the Scottish mentality. In the second half he comes down to cases,
depicting some of the outstanding Scots associated with British North
America, including those who came to Canada by way of Continental Europe
and the United States. He recalls romantic incidents that have been too
lightly forgotten, as for instance in the pages dealing with Flora
Macdonald which alone make the book worthwhile. The account of Lord
Selkirk's Settlements in Prince Edward Island and on the Red River is
particularly good. Admirably told, also, is the story of the Scots in
Upper Canada.
This is a book which should be a 'must' for the
Scottish-Canadian readers.
—John Murray Gibbon.
I. The Scot
II. The Scot in Canada
