The Emigrant and Sportsman in Canada: Some Experiences of an Old Country Settler (1876)

With Sketches Of Canadian Life, Sporting Adventures, And Observations On The Forests And Fauna. Relatively little first-hand is known of Rowan. He does not appear in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, the British Dictionary of National Biography, or in other major biographical and bibliographical references and sources. We may infer from his book that he was an Englishman of extraordinary knowledge and writing skill. He obviously had a good understanding of emigration and immigration, settlement, economy, society, geography, history, natural resources, and sport as they applied to Canada. Apparently this is his sole book. The full title of this work is The Emigrant and Sportsman in Canada, Some Experiences of an Old Country Settler, with Sketches of Canadian Life, Sporting Adventures, and Observations on the Forests and Fauna. In his Preface, Rowan acknowledges that portions of his book are based on his contributions to Field sporting magazine under the nom-de-plume of ‘Caribou’. He identifies himself as both an emigrant and sportsman, thus much of his book is based on personal experiences. He notes that his emphasis is placed on middle class of potential settlers rather than upon the well-to-do or poverty stricken. To prospective emigrants of the aristocracy, Rowan suggests that they leave their family arms and crest at home, sending for them only after becoming well established in the new land. Requirements of successful immigration in Canada required hard work, pluck, having some trade or skill, and a bit of money for basic necessities until attaining self-sufficiency.–Henry M. Reeves.