Page:Collections of NB Historical Society.djvu/15

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COLLECTIONS

OF THE

New Brunswick Historical Society

PETER FISHER. The First Historian of New Brunswick.

BY REV. W. O. RAYMOND, l.L.D.

Peter Fisher's claim to be the first of our historians rests upon two little books, both printed by a well known publishing firm in Market Square, in the City of St. John, in the early years of the last century. The first of these books appeared in KS25. It comprises HO pages, written in excellent literary style and, considering Mr. Fisher's limited sources of information, is remarkably accurate. In the preface he observes: "This work, however imperfect, must be useful, as giing the first general outline of the Province, antl interesting to every person who possesses a feeling for his own tireside."

The other book, "iNotilia of New Brunswick," comprises 136 pages, and was printed in is;38. In the advertisement at the beginning, the author states that "circumstances have compelled him to relinciuish in part his original plan, and to contract the scope of the publication, since the times do not warrant any great outla>' on works of this description."

The two bo(jks are really i)amphlets in yellow pai)er covers, and are now so rare as to be much sought for by collect()rs of "Canadiana." Their title pages are here given, in fnc simile, and a comparison is of interest. It will be seen that both books are written under the nam de plume of "An Inhabitant," and the motto that follows is the same in each, namely:—

"Whatever concerns my country, interests me; I follow nature, with truth my guide."

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