Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains. A Diary and Narrative of Travel, Sport, and Adventure, during a Journey through the Hudson's Bay Company's Territories in 1859 and 1860.
Edinburgh. Edmonston & Douglas. 1875. 8vo, 22cm, the first edition, second issue, xxx,448p., errata, half title, with 7 full page wood-engraved plates, 22 text illus., 2 facsimiles, and 2 folding maps with colour outline (one map has closed tears expertly repaired at the fold, bound in full tan calf, gilt ruled raised bands and boards, gilt decorations in the panels, crimson spine labels, a.e.g, marbled endpapers, bookplate, some light wear at the edges, else a fine copy. (Cgc). Item #42215
Peel (3)-411. "One of the classics of early western Canadian travel literature". The Earl of Southesk had toured the northwest in 1858-60 when buffalo herds still offered sport to the gentleman hunter. Looping from Fort Garry to Jasper's House, down to Bow Fort and back to Edmonton, he missed an intended trip through hostile Blackfoot and Cree country. Publishing after a twenty-year interval, Southesk collated his memory with the reports of other travelers but retrained items from his diary in their original freshness. For instance, a ridiculous encounter when two splendidly dressed Indigenouss entered his tent while he was washing himself in his India rubber bath. "We stared at one another for a moment, then a radiant smile came over their faces, and there was a general laugh after which I continued my sponging, to their evident wonder and amazement". Southesk summarizes: "Long wearisome riding, indifferent, monotonous country, no sport to speak of, hard bed upon ground, hot sun, wet, no companion of my own class; nevertheless I am happier than I have been for years". Waterston p143.
Price: $600.00