title: A Hoser's Guide to Canadian History: A Really Good Attempt To Explain How We Got Here
author: Kirt Purdy
description: Although he has had a healthy sense of humour for his entire life, teaching in a Federal Correctional Institution for six years has given Kirt a certain appreciation for being able to laugh whatever the circumstances. His hobbies include reading, playing games, and eating his wifes delicious cooking. He currently lives with his wonderfully supportive family in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada.
zlib_text: This file was produced from images generously made available by the Canadian
  Institute for Historical Microreproductions.
  
  CANADA AND THE STATES RECOLLECTIONS 1851 to 1886.
  
  ##### BY SIR E. W. WATKIN, BART., M.P.
  
  " _If the Maritime Provinces [of Britain] would join us, spontaneously, to-
  day—sterile as they may be in the soil under a sky of steel—still with their
  hardy population, their harbours, fisheries, and seamen, they would greatly
  strengthen and improve our position_ , and aid us in our struggle for equality
  upon the ocean. _If we would succeed upon the deep, we must either maintain
  our fisheries or_ ABSORB THE PROVINCES."
  
  E. H. DERBY, Esq, Report to the Revenue Commissioners of the United  
  States, 1866.  
  
  [Illustration: The Duke of Newcastle, K.G.]
  
  _In the absence of any formal Dedication, I feel that to no one could the
  following pages be more appropriately inscribed than to_
  
  Lady Watkin.
  
  _On her have fallen the anxieties of our home life during my many long
  absences aw