Poems of James McIntyre

In Short

This collection acts as a poetic gazetteer of 19th-century Ontario. Moving away from the high-flown, abstract themes favored by European masters, these poems focus on the tangible: dairy farming, local topography, patriotic milestones, and the morality of the common man. It is a work of intense regional pride, documenting a young, vigorous dominion through the lens of a settler who finds as much inspiration in a well-made fence or a local cheese factory as others might find in ancient ruins or classical mythology.

The Story

The collection begins with a declaration of purpose: to sing of a "young and vigorous Dominion." The author establishes his identity not as a competitor to the literary giants of England, but as an independent voice grounded in the soil of Canada. The narrative arc of the book functions like a journey through the region's geography and history. It opens with the landscape itself—the Great Lakes and the winding, mysterious rivers like the Holland—before settling into the specific towns of Oxford County.

As the poems progress, the focus shifts to the human endeavor required to tame this wilderness. The author celebrates the "wealthy yeomen" who cleared the forests, contrasting the difficult, stump-filled labor of early settlers with the burgeoning prosperity of the 1880s. This transition from struggle to success is best exemplified by the author’s fixation on the dairy industry. He treats the production of cheese as a heroic enterprise, immortalizing pioneers like Mr. Ranney and celebrating the export of massive wheels of cheese that become symbols of national progress.

From the quiet industry of the farm, the scope widens to include Canadian patriotism and history. The poet recounts the laying of the Brock monument, honoring the veterans of the War of 1812, and offers odes to political figures of the Confederation era, such as Sir John A. Macdonald. He draws parallels between the Canadian spirit and the British heritage, frequently invoking the loyalty of the citizenry to the flag and Queen.

The middle and later sections of the volume expand the horizon further, moving into international territory through fables and tales of adventure. These include stories of voyageurs on the Nile, the heroism of British soldiers in the Crimean War, and bizarre animal encounters, such as the fatal struggle between an eagle and a monster trout. These narratives serve to place the Canadian experience within a global context, asserting that the same virtues of "politeness, perseverance and pluck" that sustain an Ontario farmer are universal traits.

The final movement of the book turns inward to "Moral and Reflective" themes. The author explores the human mind as a repository of memories—or "brain engravings"—and offers parables about the dangers of fire arms and the wisdom of judging people by their merit rather than their status. The work concludes with a series of sketches on Scottish traditions and American poets, acknowledging the literary ancestors of the author before finally bidding a polite, sturdy farewell to his patrons, firm in the belief that local themes are as worthy of song as any distant, mythical land.

How It Unfolds

The invocation of the home The author sets the stage by rejecting the need for exotic, foreign landscapes. He insists that his readers find beauty in their own hills, streams, and villages, establishing a tone of contentment with the local.

The taming of the wilderness The poems describe the physical labor of the pioneer, moving from the clearing of forests to the establishment of farms. The focus is on the utility of the land and the progress made through industry and innovation.

The dairy crusade A significant portion of the work is dedicated to the cheese industry, which the author views as the true foundation of Ontario's prosperity. He treats these agricultural triumphs with a grandiosity usually reserved for epic poetry.

The patriotic expansion The poet pivots to the broader Canadian identity, honoring historical figures and the unity of the Dominion. He links the present-day success of the settlers to the sacrifices of their predecessors.

The moral parables The collection broadens into didactic storytelling, using animals and tragic accidents to teach lessons about human behavior. These fables emphasize the value of hard work, the importance of charity, and the dangers of recklessness.

The literary salute In the final sections, the author pays homage to his influences, both Scottish and American. He defines his own role as a poet who serves his community by recording the "rustic" life that might otherwise be forgotten.

The People

James McIntyre stands as the central consciousness of the book—the narrator who serves as the observant, patriotic, and often humorous voice of Ingersoll. He is a man who wants to prove that Canadian life is worthy of literary attention. The obstacles he faces are a lack of traditional "grandeur" in his surroundings, which he overcomes by bestowing that grandeur upon mundane objects, such as a factory or a fence.

He populates his world with the "pioneers," the sturdy, industrious settlers who value the land they clear. These figures are defined by their resilience; they want a fertile home and the ability to sustain their families. They are the heroes of his early chapters.

He also introduces "The Pioneer," the archetype of the settler who works with axe and wedge to turn a wild forest into a farm. This figure is contrasted with the "Prairie Farmer," who, in the author's 1884 view, enjoys the benefit of flat, stump-free land.

Finally, there are the "figures of trade and progress," such as Mr. Ranney, the "cheese pioneer." These people are not the soldiers of ancient epics but the architects of a modern, dairy-based economy. They end up as the titans of the author's world, their success serving as a testament to the "Christian sphere" of progress the author believes in.

In Own Voice

The author sets the stage for his focus on his immediate surroundings rather than traditional, distant motifs.

"Fair Canada is our Theme, Land of rich cheese, milk and cream."

He addresses the reader directly about the value of his local, unpretentious subject matter.

"At us we hope you will not rage Because we sing of local charms In each varied town and village As well as round our local farms,"

He reflects on the humble, necessary tools of the early settler's daily life.

"Though it was crooked as a snake, And zigzag style did not awake, He thought it was a thing of beauty, Yet in its day it did its duty."

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an argument for the dignity of the local and the ordinary. The author challenges the reader to find worth in their own "backyard" rather than romanticizing distant, unreachable history. He questions what constitutes a subject worthy of poetry and concludes that anything—a cheese factory, a snake fence, or a brook—is elevated by the attention of a sincere, hardworking observer. It is a work about the construction of a national identity, arguing that a country is built not just by political declarations, but by the daily, quiet labor of its people. The book asks us to see the "golden grain" in the stumps of a cleared forest and to believe that the future of a nation is found in its own industry.

Why Read It Today

Readers will find this book an endearing curiosity, offering a rare, authentic window into the mindset of a 19th-century Canadian settler. It is not "high art" in the traditional sense; it is raw, rhythmic, and unabashedly utilitarian. Those who appreciate the charm of the earnest amateur will find much to love here, especially in the poet’s sincere belief that a cheese factory deserves as much praise as a cathedral.

It is important to approach the book with an understanding of its period. You will encounter the attitudes of the 1880s, including a certain Victorian rigidity and a colonial perspective that assumes the inherent superiority of "Saxon" traditions. The meter is sometimes clunky, and the author’s tendency to turn every news item—from a runaway horse to a tragic shipwreck—into a morality play can feel repetitive or, occasionally, jarringly matter-of-fact.

However, what stays with you is the author’s warmth and his stubborn refusal to be intimidated by the "great poets" of the world. In an age of polished, hyper-curated media, there is a refreshing, rugged honesty in a man who writes a poem about a specific town’s furniture factory because he believes it is a source of genuine local pride. It is a book for those who want to understand the spirit of a place as it was being built, one rail fence and one cheese wheel at a time.