"[adventurous instrumental background music]" "ANNOUNCER:" "TONIGHT, ON" "'SISTERS IN THE WILDERNESS,'" "FROM A GENTEEL LIFE IN ENGLAND," "TO SURVIVAL IN THE BACKWOODS," "LOVE AND WAR," "STRUGGLE AND TRIUMPH ON THE CANADIAN FRONTIER." "[distant crow squawks] [theme music throughout]" "[black crow squawks]" "ô ô" "[horse snorts]" "NARRATOR:" "WHEN SUSANNA MOODIE AND HER FAMILY LEFT" "THEIR GENTEEL LIFE IN ENGLAND TO EMIGRATE TO UPPER CANADA," "THEY PICTURED A GRACEFUL RISE TO THE TOP OF COLONIAL SOCIETY." "REFINED, CULTURED AND EDUCATED," "THE MOODIES ASSUMED THEY HAD EVERY ADVANTAGE." "SUSANNA MOODIE:" "THE CHILDREN HAD FALLEN ASLEEP." "NIGHT WAS ABOVE US WITH HER MYSTERIOUS STARS." "THE ANCIENT FOREST STRETCHED AROUND US ON EVERY SIDE," "AND A FOREBODING SADNESS SUNK UPON MY HEART." "I GAZED THROUGH" "TEARS UPON THE SINGULARLY SAVAGE SCENE AROUND ME," "AND SECRETLY MARVELLED, 'WHAT BROUGHT ME HERE?" "' ô ô" "SUSANNA'S SISTER, CATHARINE PARR TRAILL," "EXPECTED THE TRAVELLERS HOURS AGO." "BOTH SISTERS WONDER IF THEY'LL EVER ADAPT" "TO THEIR NEW LIFE IN CANADA." "ON THIS FRIGID FEBRUARY DAY, SUSANNA MOODIE LONGS" "FOR ENGLAND, AND THE PLACID COUNTRYSIDE" "WHERE SHE AND CATHARINE GREW UP." "YOUNG SUSANNA: ..." "A PRIMROSE AND A PANSY, GROWING SIDE BY SIDE," "THROUGH ALL THE BUDS THAT BLOSSOM, THE GLORY..." "[voice fades]" "SUSANNA:" "IT IS THE ENGLAND OF MEMORY NOW." "[sombre piano throughout]" "THE LAND OF CHILDHOOD." "[music ends] [birds chirp outside]" "IN THE EARLY 1800s, SUSANNA AND CATHARINE STRICKLAND LIVE IN" "SUFFOLK, A PICTURESQUE CORNER OF NORTH-EASTERN ENGLAND." "[happy shrieks] [birds chirping]" "THE STRICKLAND FAMILY LIVES IN" "A COUNTRY MANOR CALLED REYDON HALL." "THE SIX GIRLS AND TWO BOYS ARE CARED FOR" "BY NANNIES AND MAIDS, GARDENERS AND COOKS." "REYDON HALL IS AN ENCHANTING PLAYGROUND" "FOR IMAGINATIVE CHILDREN." "YOUNG SUSANNA: ..." "A DEADLY FEAR CREPT CAME OVER ME." "I SHUDDERED AND DREW BACK." ""YOUR PATH LIES OVER THIS BANK," SAID THE KING," ""YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR TO RECEDE AND MUST EITHER" "STAY HERE AND PERISH, OR GO FORWARD WITH [giggling]" "[serene background piano] [indistinct chatter]" "THE TWO BOYS ARE SENT AWAY TO SCHOOL," "THE SIX GIRLS TAUGHT AT HOME, WHERE THEY STUDY LATIN," "GREEK, MATHEMATICS AND LITERATURE." "AGNES: "TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS THE QUESTION..."" "BOSSY, CONFIDENT AGNES TAKES THE LEAD ROLES" "WHEN THE GIRLS ACT OUT SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE." "AGNES: "..." "OR TO TAKE ARMS AGAINST A SEA OF TROUBLES," "AND BY OPPOSING, END THEM."" "THE STRICKLAND SISTERS HAVE READ MORE" "BY THE AGE OF TEN THAN MOST GIRLS OF" "THEIR ERA WOULD READ IN A LIFETIME." "YOUNG CATHARINE:" ""MY HONOURED LORD," ""YOU KNOW RIGHT WELL YOU DID, AND WITH THEM WORDS OF SO SWEET" "BREATH COMPOSED, AS MADE THE THING MORE RICH."" "SWEET-TEMPERED CATHARINE IS THE FAMILY PET, GOOD-NATURED AND EASYGOING." ""I LOVED YOU NOT."" ""I WAS THE MORE DECEIVED."" ""GET THEE TO A NUNNERY." "WHY WAS THOUGH BE A BREEDER OF SINNERS?"" "THE END."" "[sparse applause]" "SUSANNA STRICKLAND IS INTENSE," "IMAGINATIVE AND EMOTIONAL." "CATHARINE WOULD RECALL HER FAVOURITE SISTER AS," ""OFTEN ELATED, OFTEN DEPRESSED."" "CATHARINE:" "OUR TEMPERS AND ABILITIES WERE UNLIKE," "AND POSSIBLY IT WAS THE CONTRAST BETWEEN US IN MANY WAYS" "THAT HAD THE EFFECT OF BINDING US NEARER TO ONE ANOTHER." "OUR FAITHFUL FRIENDSHIP WAS" "THE STRICKLAND GIRLS' IDYLLIC CHILDHOOD" "CRASHES TO AN ABRUPT END." "[gunfire, indistinct shouts]" "THE BRITISH HAVE BEEN FIERCELY AT WAR WITH NAPOLEON BONAPARTE," "AND FINALLY CONQUER THEIR GREATEST ENEMY AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO." "AS THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED SOLDIERS FLOOD BACK HOME," "BRITAIN LURCHES INTO A SEVERE DEPRESSION." "THOMAS STRICKLAND HAD PROSPERED DURING THE WAR YEARS." "WHEN THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WIPES OUT HIS BUSINESS," "THE SHOCK TRIGGERS HIS EARLY DEATH." "HE LEAVES A WIDOW AND EIGHT CHILDREN" "WHO PINCH PENNIES AND TRY TO KEEP UP APPEARANCES." "THE FAMILY MANAGES TO KEEP REYDON HALL," "BUT SOME ROOMS ARE CLOSED OFF," "MOST OF THE SERVANTS GONE." "ô ô" "IN EARLY NINETEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND, ONE OF THE FEW" "RESPECTABLE WAYS FOR WOMEN TO EARN MONEY IS BY WRITING." "YOUNG SUSANNA: ..." "AND HE PAUSED A MOMENT TO CONTEMPLATE" "THE DREADFUL WRECK OF ALL HIS EARTHLY HOPES." "FIVE OF THE STRICKLAND GIRLS BECOME PUBLISHED AUTHORS." "THE SISTERS WRITE POETRY AND SHORT STORIES," "AND CHILDREN'S BOOKS THAT TEACH PROPER MORAL CONDUCT." "YOUNG CATHARINE: ..." "VELVET WAS SO SHOCKED AT THE BAD END" "WHICH HER TWO BROTHERS HAD COME TO," "THAT SHE RESOLVED NOT TO BE NAUGHTY AGAIN." "CATHARINE'S BOOKS ENCOURAGE AN INTEREST IN THE NATURAL WORLD." "SUSANNA WRITES TRAGIC DRAMA AND ROMANTIC HISTORY." "YOUNG SUSANNA: ..." "ASKING THE STRANGER'S NAME, HE TOLD ME HE WAS" "THE UNFORTUNATE GUSTAVUS, THE EXILED AND DETHRONED KING OF SWEDEN." "OLDER SUSANNA: ..." "HIS WAS A NAME WHICH I COULD NOT HEAR WHEN WAKING" "WITHOUT EMOTION, AND MY INTEREST WAS NOT A LITTLE EXCITED IN" "THE ROYAL STRANGER AS I REPLIED," ""I AM AN ENGLISHWOMAN SEEKING FAME IN THE WORLD."" ""HA," RETURNED HE," "TAKING ME BY THE HAND" "AND LOOKING EARNESTLY IN MY FACE, "IS" "AS YOUNG WOMEN, SUSANNA AND CATHARINE FACE AN INSECURE FUTURE." "WRITING DOESN'T PAY MUCH," "AND THEY HAVE NO OBVIOUS MARRIAGE PROSPECTS." "THEIR FORMIDABLE SISTER, AGNES, HAS MOVED TO LONDON" "WHERE SHE'S PUBLISHED TWO BOOKS OF POETRY." "SUSANNA, ALWAYS COMPETITIVE WITH HER OLDER SISTER, SOON FOLLOWS." "[classical violin throughout] [horse snorts]" "LONDON IN THE 1820s" "IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE WORLD," "GRAND NEW TERRACES SURROUND REGENTS PARK;" "PAVED ROADS CRISSCROSS THE CITY;" "NEW BRIDGES SPAN THE THAMES RIVER." "MORE THAN 100 NEWSPAPERS AND LITERARY JOURNALS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE CITY." "SUSANNA STRICKLAND" "EASILY FINDS A PLACE AMONG THE CITY'S WRITERS AND POETS." "I AM ALMOST TIRED WITH COMPLIMENTS AND" "SICK OF FLATTERING ENCOMIUMS ON MY GENIUS." "HOW THESE MEN IN LONDON DO TALK." "HA, I LEARN DAILY TO LAUGH AT THEIR FINE LOVE SPEECHES." "[serene background violin]" "ONE OF SUSANNA'S ADMIRERS IS A 33 YEAR OLD SCOTTISH" "MILITARY MAN NAMED JOHN MOODIE." "[Susanna reading] "MY DEAR FRIEND," ""WILL YOU ALLOW ME TO SEE YOU ALONE?" ""IF YOU ARE ENGAGED NOW, LET ME KNOW WHEN I CANNOT MEET YOU IN THE PRESENCE OF A THIRD PERSON." "YOURS AFFECTIONATELY, JOHN WEDDERBURN DUNBAR MOODIE." "[birds chirping] [no dialogue]" "JOHN MOODIE STRIDES INTO SUSANNA'S LIFE" "IN THE SUMMER OF 1830." "HE TELLS THRILLING TALES" "OF ADVENTURE IN THE NAPOLEONIC WARS." "SUSANNA'S FAMILY NOTES WITH APPROVAL THAT HE" "IS A GENTLEMAN OF GOOD FAMILY AND HIGH MORAL CHARACTER." "JOHN MOODIE IS ALSO" "A DEVOTED WRITER OF" "FINE LOVE SPEECHES." "JOHN MOODIE:" "BELIEVE ME, YOU'RE INDEED WITH ME WHEN I LIE DOWN," "AND WHEN I RISE, MY THOUGHTS ARE STILL WITH YOU." "YOU STILL ARE PRESENT IN MY DREAMS" "WITH YOUR SMILES AND LOOKS YOU WORE" "WHEN FIRST I LOVED YOU." "YOU MUST..." "AND [bells toll]" "ON APRIL 4TH, 1831, AT THE SPLENDID PARISH" "CHURCH OF ST." "PANCRAS IN CENTRAL LONDON," "SUSANNA STRICKLAND, AGED 28, BECOMES MRS. SUSANNA MOODIE." "SUSANNA:" "IF A TEAR TREMBLED IN MY EYES," "IT WAS ONE OF JOY," "AND I PRONOUNCED THE FATAL 'OBEY' WITH" "A TO KEEP IT." "THE NEW COUPLE HAS NO PROPERTY," "LITTLE CAPITAL AND NO INHERITANCE." "WHEN THEY LEARN THEY ARE EXPECTING A BABY," "THE MOODIES LEAVE LONDON TO LIVE MORE CHEAPLY BACK IN SUFFOLK." "IT IS A LIFE OF GENTEEL POVERTY," "FRUSTRATING FOR AN AMBITIOUS YOUNG COUPLE." "THEN, IN 1831, THEY BEGIN TO HEAR PROMISING STORIES" "ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW WORLD." "[dramatic instrumental]" "[upbeat background piano] WILLIAM CATTERMOLE:" "IN ENGLAND, AND EVEN IN THE UNITED STATES," "SUCH AN ERRONEOUS IDEA EXISTS AS TO UPPER CANADA, SO POWERFUL" "THE PREJUDICE, THAT A MERE NAME OF CANADA IS SYNONYMOUS WITH" "ICE, SNOW, AND" "THIS IS A GREAT ERROR." "THE CLIMATE, TO MY MIND, IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THAT OF MY NATIVE COUNTRY." "THE WINTER, THOUGH COLDER, IS MORE PURE," "THE INHABITANTS NOT SUBJECT TO COLDS." "IF THE FEET AND HEAD ARE KEPT WARM," "ALL GOES ON WELL." "IN 1831, AT A PUBLIC MEETING IN SUFFOLK," "JOHN MOODIE HEARS THE EXTRAVAGANT PROMISES OF" "AN EMIGRATION PROMOTER NAMED WILLIAM CATTERMOLE." "...DEER ABOUND IN THE WOODS, ...THE LAKES TEEM WITH WHITE FISH, SALMON, TROUT..." "AS A FORMER SOLDIER, JOHN MOODIE IS ELIGIBLE" "FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED ACRES OF FREE LAND IN UPPER CANADA." "...THE LAND MAY BE" "COMPLETELY CLEARED AND FENCED AT THE RATE OF THREE POUNDS TEN SHILLINGS PER ACRE." "WILLIAM CATTERMOLE HAS A RECEPTIVE AUDIENCE." "ENGLAND IS NOW IN A CRIPPLING DEPRESSION." "FARMERS ARE DEFAULTING ON RENT," "LABOURERS BEING THROWN OUT OF THEIR COTTAGES." "FOR SOME, EMIGRATION IS THE ONLY OPTION, AND CATTERMOLE" "HAS TESTIMONIALS FROM SETTLERS ABOUT THE DELIGHTS OF CANADA." "...LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF" "APRIL 2, 1831:" "THE CLIMATE," "NOT WITHSTANDING ITS SEVERITY, IS A GOOD ONE W. R. WADSWORTH, WESTON MILLS, NEAR YORK," "UPPER CANADA:" "THE PEOPLE GENERALLY ARE HOSPITABLE," "THEIR DOORS OPEN TO RECEIVE THE BENIGHTED TRAVELLER ALL THE MOST IMPORTANT COMFORTS OF LIFE ARE EASILY AND ABUNDANTLY OBTAINED." "...THEY ALWAYS FIND THEIR NEIGHBOURS READY TO ASSIST THEM IN PUTTING UP THEIR HOUSES..." "NARRATOR:" "JOHN MOODIE IS NOT AMONG THE DESPERATE," "BUT HE KNOWS THAT IN ENGLAND HE CANNOT LIVE THE LIFE" "A GENTLEMAN ASPIRES TO." "IN THE NEW WORLD, HE COULD MAKE" "A FRESH START IN A CIVILISED, WELCOMING COUNTRY." "...IN THE BUSH, IT IS INDISPENSABLE" "TO BE ON GOOD TERMS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS." "WILLIAM CATTERMOLE'S RHAPSODIES ARE NOT MOTIVATED PURELY BY" "HIS ADMIRATION OF CANADA." "HE HAS A FINANCIAL INTEREST," "THE CANADA COMPANY PAYS HIM A BONUS FOR EACH EMIGRANT HE RECRUITS." "[applause]" "WILLIAM CATTERMOLE ISN'T THE ONLY HUCKSTER SELLING RAINBOWS." "THERE IS A FLOOD OF EMIGRATION PROPAGANDA" "CIRCULATING AROUND BRITAIN IN 1831." "THE LECTURES AND PAMPHLETS DON'T MENTION THE MONUMENTALLY" "HARD WORK REQUIRED TO CLEAR THE LAND." "...THE WALLS ARE PUT UP IN A SINGLE DAY." "...OR THE DESPERATE ISOLATION OF SETTLERS IN THE DEEP WOODS." "...THOUSANDS ARRIVED LAST SEASON AT YORK, AND ALL FOUND EMPLOYMENT." "OR THE POVERTY THAT MANY EMIGRANTS FACE IN THE BEGINNING." "JOHN MOODIE IS CAPTIVATED." "BEING THE KIND WHO THINKS" "HE CAN MAKE A GO OF ANY ADVENTURE," "HE BEGINS TO DREAM OF LIFE IN UPPER CANADA." "CATTERMOLE:" "THE VOYAGE IN GENERAL DOES NOT EXCEED FIVE OR SIX WEEKS." "SUCH PERSONS AS CAN AFFORD IT, WILL DO WELL TO TAKE OUT" "A TWO OR THREE YEARS' STOCK OF CLOTHES, SHOES, AND A STOUT FUR CAP." "SUSANNA:" "THE INFECTION BECAME GENERAL." "A CANADA MANIA" "PERVADED THE MIDDLE RANKS OF BRITISH SOCIETY." "NARRATOR:" "WILLIAM CATTERMOLE DOES NOT RECOMMEND" "TRAVELLING WITH FINE CHINA," "BUT SUSANNA CANNOT LEAVE BEHIND HER TREASURED TEA SERVICE." "IN THE COLONY, IT WOULD BE A PRECIOUS REMINDER OF HOME." "[birds chirping]" "CATHARINE IS STAYING WITH FRIENDS IN LONDON WHEN SHE HEARS THE NEWS." "CATHARINE:" "I SHALL BE HOME IN THE SPRING," "IF SUSAN EMIGRATES TO CANADA, AS I COULD NOT ENDURE" "THE THOUGHT OF PARTING FROM HER AT A DISTANCE" "AND POSSIBLY FOR YEARS, PERHAPS FOR LIFE." "CATHARINE RETURNS HOME TO SHARE SUSANNA'S LAST MONTHS" "IN ENGLAND, AND THE BIRTH OF THE MOODIES' FIRST CHILD." "BY SPRING, CATHARINE HAS A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT" "FOR THE FAMILY AT REYDON HALL:" "SHE PLANS TO MARRY A FRIEND OF JOHN MOODIE'S," "A QUIET WIDOWER NAMED THOMAS TRAILL." "AND CATHARINE AND THOMAS HAVE DECIDED THAT THEY, TOO," "WILL SET OUT FOR UPPER CANADA." "[foreboding piano instrumental]" "ON A GENTLE MAY MORNING," "ON A PEBBLE BEACH IN SUFFOLK," "THE ADVENTURE BEGINS." "THE TRAILLS DEPART FIRST," "HIRING A LOCAL ROWBOAT TO TAKE THEM OUT TO THE SHIP." "TWO DAYS EARLIER, THE STRICKLAND FAMILY" "HAD WATCHED UNENTHUSIASTICALLY" "AS CATHARINE AND THOMAS TRAILL WERE MARRIED." "THOMAS TRAILL IS A FORMER SOLDIER" "FROM A DISTINGUISHED BUT IMPOVERISHED FAMILY." "ô ô" "CATHARINE KNOWS THAT HER FAMILY IS WORRIED ABOUT GLOOMY THOMAS," "BUT SHE HAS MADE UP HER MIND." "CATHARINE:" "HE IS ALL THAT A FAITHFUL HEART" "CAN DESIRE IN A PARTNER FOR LIFE." "I TRUST GOD MAY BLESS US BOTH AND PROSPER OUR FUTURE DAYS." "[sombre piano instrumental]" "THE TWO COUPLES WILL TRAVEL SEPARATELY TO UPPER CANADA." "CATHARINE AND SUSANNA KNOW IT COULD BE MONTHS" "BEFORE THEY SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN" "ON THE SOIL OF A NEW AND STRANGE CONTINENT." "THEIR SISTER AGNES CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WOULD" "GO TO A COUNTRY WITHOUT GREAT LIBRARIES, THEATRES, OR MUSEUMS." "JOHN MOODIE:" "GOD SPEED!" "ô ô" "SOON, BOTH COUPLES WILL BE ABOARD THE WOODEN SAILING SHIPS" "THAT WILL CARRY THEM ACROSS THE ATLANTIC" "AND INTO A NEW WORLD." "[dramatic instrumental]" "[dramatic instrumental]" "NARRATOR: 1832 IS THE YEAR THAT BRITISH EMIGRATION" "TO CANADA CLIMBS TO ITS PEAK." "SUSANNA AND JOHN MOODIE AND CATHARINE AND THOMAS TRAILL" "ARE AMONG TENS OF THOUSANDS THAT YEAR WHO BOARD" "WOODEN SAILING SHIPS AND LEAVE THEIR HOMELAND FOREVER." "SUSANNA:" "I STILL TURNED AND LOOKED BACK" "AND CLUNG WITH ALL MY STRENGTH" "TO THE LAND I WAS LEAVING." "SUSANNA AND JOHN MOODIE ARE THE ONLY PASSENGERS," "ON THEIR SHIP, WITH THE LUXURY OF A CABIN." "[baby cries, people cough]" "FOR THOSE CRAMMED BELOW DECK, THE POOR, THE ILLITERATE," "THE DESPERATE, THE VOYAGE IS A NIGHTMARE." "SUSANNA MOODIE NEVER MINGLES WITH" "THE NOISY, SEASICK FAMILIES CROWDED INTO STEERAGE." "[flag snaps]" "ON ANOTHER SHIP, TRAVELLING TWO WEEKS AHEAD," "CATHARINE AND HER NEW HUSBAND" "ENDURE THE MONOTONY OF A LONG OCEAN VOYAGE." "I REALLY DO PITY MEN WHO ARE NOT ACTIVELY EMPLOYED;" "WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS THEIR NEEDLE AS A RESOURCE AGAINST" "THE OVERWHELMING WEARINESS OF AN IDLE LIFE;" "BUT WHERE A MAN" "IS CONFINED TO A SMALL SPACE, SUCH AS THE DECK AND CABIN OF" "A TRADING VESSEL, WITH NOTHING TO SEE, NOTHING TO HEAR, NOTHING" "TO DO AND NOTHING TO READ, HE IS REALLY A VERY PITIABLE CREATURE." "NARRATOR:" "IN AUGUST OF 1832," "CATHARINE AND THOMAS TRAILL APPROACH MONTREAL, [rumbling thunder]" "THE GREATEST CITY IN UPPER AND LOWER CANADA." "[bell tolls]" "BUT AT THE TIME THE TRAILLS ARRIVE, IT IS A CITY IN" "THE TERRIFYING GRIP OF CANADA'S FIRST CHOLERA EPIDEMIC." "[thunderclaps]" "CATHARINE:" "IN ONE HOUSE, 11 PERSONS DIED," "IN ANOTHER, 17, A LITTLE CHILD OF SEVEN YEARS OLD" "WAS THE ONLY CREATURE LEFT TO TELL THE WOEFUL TALE." "[pouring rain and thunder] [sombre instrumental piano]" "ON THE TRAILLS' SECOND DAY IN MONTREAL, CATHARINE IS FEVERISH," "WRITHING WITH STOMACH CRAMPS AND THROWING UP." "CATHARINE:" "I WAS SEISED WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FATAL MALADY" "THAT HAD MADE SO MANY HOMES DESOLATE." "NARRATOR:" "CHOLERA COMES ON SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY." "THE CITY'S OVERWHELMED DOCTORS DON'T KNOW" "WHAT CAUSES IT OR CURES IT." "THEY TRY EVERYTHING FROM" "MAPLE SYRUP TO CASTOR OIL, OPIUM AND PORT WINE." "MANY DOCTORS RECOMMEND DRAWING BLOOD" "BY PLACING LEECHES ON THE SKIN." "FOR LARGER AMOUNTS, THEY CUT INTO THE VEINS OF THE ARM" "TO EXTRACT UP TO 20 OUNCES OF BLOOD." "CATHARINE:" "I WILL NOT DWELL MINUTELY ON MY SUFFERINGS," "SUFFICE TO SAY, THEY WERE INTENSE." "[indistinct whisper] [distant explosion]" "NARRATOR:" "OUTSIDE, THE BOOM OF CANNON FIRE RESONATES," "AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE AIR." "BARRELS OF ROSIN ARE SET ABLAZE TO DRIVE OUT" "FOUL VAPOURS THAT ARE BELIEVED TO CARRY THE DISEASE." "BUT CHOLERA SPREADS THROUGHOUT UPPER AND" "LOWER CANADA THAT SUMMER AND FALL," "KILLING MORE THAN 6,000 PEOPLE." "ALMOST MIRACULOUSLY, CATHARINE BEGINS TO RECOVER." "CATHARINE:" "FROM THE FEMALES OF THE HOUSE" "I RECEIVED THE GREATEST KINDNESS." "INSTEAD OF FLEEING AFFRIGHTED FROM THE CHAMBER OF SICKNESS," "THE TWO IRISH GIRLS ALMOST QUARRELLED WHICH SHOULD BE MY ATTENDANT." "WITHIN A WEEK, CATHARINE, THOUGH FRAIL, IS WELL ENOUGH" "TO CONTINUE HER TRAVELS TO UPPER CANADA." "[uplifting instrumental piano]" "HOW DIFFERENT THIS COUNTRY IS FROM THE TIDY CORNER" "OF ENGLAND THE SISTERS KNOW SO WELL." "CANADA IS IMMENSE." "LAKES AS VAST AS OCEANS." "FORESTS THAT BLOCK THE SKY." "[birds chirping]" "TOWNS THAT ARE SEPARATED BY DAYS OF TRAVEL." "[horse snorts]" "BY SEPTEMBER, SUSANNA MOODIE IS ALSO TRAVELLING THROUGH UPPER CANADA." "SUSANNA:" "THE FEW WEEKS THAT I HAD SOJOURNED IN THE COUNTRY" "HAD BY NO MEANS PREPOSSESSED ME IN ITS FAVOUR." "THE HOME-SICKNESS WAS SORE UPON ME," "AND ALL MY SOLITARY HOURS WERE SPENT IN TEARS." "EMIGRATION PROPAGANDA HAD RAVED ABOUT" "THE 'HANDSOME AND THRIVING' TOWNS OF UPPER CANADA." "IN REALITY, THE MAIN CENTRE OF YORK," "SOON TO BE RENAMED TORONTO," "IS A MUDDY SETTLEMENT OF 9,000." "COBOURG IS A TINY COMMUNITY OF 150 HOUSES." "NORTH OF COBOURG ARE THE BACK TOWNSHIPS AND BUSH FARMS." "ô ô" "CATHARINE AND THOMAS CLAIM THEIR FREE ACRES NEAR PETERBOROUGH." "[chopping of tree]" "BUT JOHN MOODIE IS AGHAST AT THE PROSPECT OF" "CLEARING THIS LAND." "INSTEAD, HE IMPULSIVELY PURCHASES" "A SMALL FARM EIGHT MILES WEST OF COBOURG." "SUSANNA, WITH HER BABY AND A MAIDSERVANT," "ARE DRIVEN AHEAD OF JOHN TO THE MOODIES' NEW HOME." "ô ô" "DRIVER:" "WHOA..." "SUSANNA:" "I GAZED UPON THE PLACE IN PERFECT DISMAY," "FOR I HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A SHED CALLED A HOUSE BEFORE." "...YOU MUST BE MISTAKEN;" "THAT IS NOT A HOUSE," "BUT A CATTLE-SHED, OR PIGSTY." "[distant cow moos] ...THE MAN TURNED HIS KNOWING, KEEN EYE UPON ME, AND SMILED," "HALF-HUMOROUSLY, HALF-MALICIOUSLY, AS HE SAID," ""YOU WERE RAISED IN THE OLD COUNTRY, I GUESS," ""YOU HAVE MUCH TO LEARN, AND MORE, PERHAPS," "THAN YOU'LL LIKE TO KNOW, BEFORE THE WINTER IS OVER."" "I BEGGED THE MAN TO STAY UNTIL MOODIE ARRIVED," "AS I FELT TERRIFIED AT BEING ALONE IN THIS WILD," "STRANGE-LOOKING PLACE." "[sheep bleats]" "HE LAUGHED, AS WELL YOU MIGHT, AT OUR FEARS," "AND SAID THAT HE HAD A LONG WAY TO GO AND MUST BE OFF." "ô ô [black crow squawks]" "NARRATOR:" "THE MOODIES AND THEIR MAID SET UP HOUSE, AND" "SUSANNA TACKLES THE UNFAMILIAR ROLE OF PIONEER WIFE." "SUSANNA:" "I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO MILK IN THOSE DAYS," "AND BESIDES THIS, I WAS TERRIBLY AFRAID OF CATTLE." "I RAN ACROSS THE MEADOW TO MRS. JOE, AND BEGGED THAT" "ONE OF HER GIRLS WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO MILK FOR ME." ""IF YOU CAN'T MILK," SAID MRS. JOE," ""IT'S HIGH TIME YOU SHOULD LEARN." ""AFRAID OF COWS!" "LORD BLESS THE WOMAN!" "A FARMER'S WIFE AND AFRAID OF COWS!"" "[milking sounds] [adventurous background instrumental" "NARRATOR:" "THE MOODIES PLUNGE INTO THE WORK OF" "RUNNING A BUSH FARM, BUT THEY ARE AMATEURS" "AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS KNOW IT." "THE ROUGH-EDGED SETTLERS NEARBY DON'T BOTHER TO" "HIDE THEIR CONTEMPT FOR THE MANNERED ENGLISH NEWCOMERS." "SUSANNA'S REPUTATION AS AN AUTHOR DOESN'T HELP." "SUSANNA:" "ANXIOUS NOT TO OFFEND THEM," "I TRY TO AVOID ALL LITERARY SUBJECTS." "I CONFINED" "MY CONVERSATION TO TOPICS OF COMMON INTEREST;" "BUT THIS GAVE" "GREATER OFFENCE THAN THE MOST OSTENTATIOUS SHOW OF LEARNING," "FOR THEY CONCLUDED THAT I WOULD NOT TALK ON SUCH SUBJECTS" "BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEM INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING ME." "I WAS SO" "ACCUSTOMED TO HEARING THE WHISPERED REMARK, OR TO HAVE IT RETAILED TO ME BY" "OTHERS, "OH YES, SHE CAN WRITE, BUT SHE CAN DO NOTHING ELSE."" "[comedic instrumental background music]" "THE MOODIES' MAIDSERVANT IS QUICKLY DISENCHANTED." "IT IS A HARD LIFE," "AND SUSANNA, WITH HER SNOBBISH ENGLISH STANDARDS," "INSISTS THAT MASTER AND SERVANT" "EAT SEPARATELY IN THE ONE-ROOM CABIN." "SUSANNA:" "THEY CAN LIVE WITHOUT YOU," "AND THEY WELL KNOW YOU CANNOT DO WITHOUT THEM." "IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PRACTICE UPON THEM THAT COMMON VICE OF ENGLISH" "MISTRESSES, TO SCOLD THEM FOR ANY SLIGHT OMISSION OR OFFENCE," "YOU ROUSE INTO ACTIVE OPERATION THEIR NEW-FOUND SPIRIT OF" "FREEDOM AND OPPOSITION AND AWAY THEY BOUNCE," "LEAVING YOU TO FINISH A LARGE WASH," "OR A HEAVY JOB OF IRONING IN THE BEST WAY YOU CAN." "ô ô" "SUSANNA MOODIE WRITES EVERYTHING DOWN;" "HER PITIFUL INCOMPETENCE," "HER SCORNFUL NEIGHBOURS, HER HOMESICKNESS." "[baby cries] THE SCRIBBLED NOTES AND POEMS" "WILL ONE DAY BECOME A FAMOUS BOOK." "BUT THEY DO NOT PRESENT" "A FLATTERING PORTRAIT OF HER NEW COUNTRY." "OH CANADA, THY GLOOMY WOODS:" "A SONG." "OH CANADA, THY GLOOMY WOODS" "WILL NEVER CHEER THE HEART;" "THE MURMUR OF THY MIGHTY FLOODS" "BUT CAUSE FRESH TEARS TO START." "FROM THOSE WHOSE FONDEST WISHES" "REST BEYOND THE DISTANT MAIN," "WHO, 'MID THE FORESTS OF THE WEST," "SIGH FOR THEIR HOMES AGAIN." "[rumbling thunder] WORST OF ALL," "SUSANNA DOES NOT HAVE HER FAVOURITE SISTER CLOSE BY." "FIFTY MILES SEPARATE THE TWO WOMEN," "BUT THEY ARE WORLDS APART" "IN HOW THEY SEE THEIR NEW COUNTRY." "[dramatic instrumental]" "[uplifting instrumental] [birds chirping]" "NARRATOR:" "NEARLY 50 MILES FROM SUSANNA," "DEEP IN THE BACKWOODS NORTH OF PETERBOROUGH," "CATHARINE PARR TRAILL IS DETERMINED TO TREAT" "EACH NEW EXPERIENCE AS AN ADVENTURE." "CATHARINE:" "WE BEGIN TO GET RECONCILED TO OUR" "ROBINSON CRUSOE SORT OF LIFE, AND THE CONSIDERATION THAT" "THE PRESENT EVILS ARE TEMPORARY," "GOES A GREAT WAY TOWARDS RECONCILING US TO THEM." "MY PASSWORDS ARE HOPE!" "RESOLUTION!" "PERSEVERANCE!" "THERE IS SO MUCH TO DISCOVER AND TO RECORD," "CANADIAN PLANTS AND WILDFLOWERS CATHARINE HAS NEVER SEEN." "CATHARINE:" "I SUPPOSE OUR SCIENTIFIC BOTANISTS IN BRITAIN" "WOULD CONSIDER ME VERY IMPERTINENT IN BESTOWING NAMES" "ON THE FLOWERS AND PLANTS I MEET IN THESE WILD WOODS." "I CAN ONLY SAY, I AM GLAD TO DISCOVER THE CANADIAN OR EVEN" "THE INDIAN NAMES IF I CAN." "WHERE THEY FAIL, I CONSIDER" "MYSELF FREE TO BECOME THEIR FLORAL GODMOTHER," "AND GIVE THEM NAMES OF MY OWN CHOOSING." "CATHARINE'S METICULOUS COLLECTIONS WOULD ONE DAY" "BECOME A VALUABLE GUIDE TO THE PLANT LIFE OF CANADA." "MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL INDIAN BAND" "BEGIN CALLING SOON AFTER THE TRAILLS ARRIVE." "THE CHIPPEWA HAVE BEEN" "IN THE AREA FOR 150 YEARS." "[practices Native language]" "CATHARINE FORMS EASY FRIENDSHIPS" "WITH THE WOMEN AND ABSORBS THEIR KNOWLEDGE." "'MIS'KODJI'BIK' BLOODROOT." "CATHARINE: ..." "THIS JUICE IS USED BY THE INDIANS AS A DYE," "AND ALSO IN THE CURE OF RHEUMATIC WILD GINGER:" "IT IS A COARSE, SINGULAR-LOOKING PLANT O'KADAK:" "IT HAS A SWEET," "ASTRINGENT TASTE, SLIGHTLY BITTER... [serene instrumental background music]" "CATHARINE MAKES REGULAR VISITS TO THE CHIPPEWA CAMPS" "ALONG THE LAKESHORE, BUYING BEADED LEATHER" "AND TINY BIRCH-BARK CANOES TO SEND TO HER SISTERS IN ENGLAND." "THE LOCAL BAND IS USED TO TRADING WITH THE WHITE" "SETTLERS, HANDICRAFTS AND WILD GAME ARE EXCHANGED" "FOR EUROPEAN CLOTHING, FLOUR AND PORK." "CATHARINE HAD READ ABOUT THE EXOTIC 'NOBLE SAVAGE'" "IN HER FATHER'S LIBRARY, AND CAME TO CANADA" "WITH A ROMANTIC VIEW OF THE NATIVE POPULATION." "SHE ISN'T AT ALL DISAPPOINTED WITH THE REAL THING." "CATHARINE:" "I DELIGHT IN WATCHING THESE TORCH-LIGHTED CANOES" "SO QUIETLY GLIDING OVER THE CALM WATERS." "THE INDIANS ARE VERY EXPERT IN THIS KIND OF FISHING." "THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE RENDERS OBJECTS DISTINCTLY VISIBLE" "BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE WATER." "ONE PERSON STANDS UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOAT" "WITH HIS FISH SPEAR, A SORT OF IRON TRIDENT," "READY TO STRIKE." "THIS SPORT REQUIRES" "A QUICK EYE, A STEADY HAND," "AND GREAT CAUTION IN THOSE THAT PURSUE IT." "[building dramatic background music]" "[dramatic piano instrumental]" "NARRATOR:" "AS THE SEASONS TURN," "CATHARINE PARR TRAILL CAREFULLY NOTES EACH NEW EXPERIENCE;" "THE NOVELTY OF FROST IN SEPTEMBER," "THE STRANGENESS OF CLOTHING" "THAT SPARKS AND CRACKLES WITH ELECTRICITY," "THE ASTONISHING DESCENT OF THE THERMOMETER." "OUR BREATHS WERE CONGEALED IN HOARFROST" "ON THE SHEETS AND BLANKETS." "EVERYTHING WE TOUCHED" "OF METAL SEEMED TO FREEZE TO OUR FINGERS." "CATHARINE'S EARLY IMPRESSIONS WOULD SOON BECOME" "HER FIRST CANADIAN BOOK:" "'THE BACKWOODS OF CANADA.'" "EVER OPTIMISTIC, HER WRITING IS EVEN" "CHEERFUL ABOUT THE COLD." "CATHARINE:" "IN SPITE OF ITS LENGTH AND EXTREME SEVERITY," "I DO LIKE THE CANADIAN WINTER;" "IT IS DECIDEDLY THE HEALTHIEST SEASON OF THE YEAR." "ô ô" "IT HAS EVER BEEN MY WAY TO EXTRACT THE SWEET" "RATHER THAN THE BITTER IN THE CUP OF LIFE," "AND SURELY IT IS BEST AND WISEST SO TO DO." "[heavy exhale]" "[sombre piano instrumental]" "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA, TOO, IS CONFRONTING" "HER FIRST CANADIAN WINTER." "SUSANNA:" "THE WINTER HAD NOW FAIRLY SET IN," "THE IRON WINTER OF 1833." "IN SPITE OF ALL MY BOASTED FORTITUDE AND I THINK MY POWERS" "OF ENDURANCE HAVE BEEN TRIED TO THE UTTERMOST SINCE MY SOJOURN" "IN THIS COUNTRY." "THE RIGOUR OF THE CLIMATE SUBDUED MY PROUD," "INDEPENDENT ENGLISH SPIRIT, AND I ACTUALLY SHAMED" "MY WOMANHOOD AND CRIED WITH THE COLD." "ô ô" "[upbeat instrumental]" "NARRATOR:" "THROUGH CATHARINE'S EYES, WINTER IS MAGICAL." "THE WHITE, COLD SEASON" "WOULD GROW TO BE HER FAVOURITE." "CATHARINE:" "I CAN YET MAKE MYSELF VERY HAPPY" "AND CONTENTED IN THIS COUNTRY." "IF ITS VOLUME OF HISTORY IS YET A BLANK," "THAT OF NATURE IS OPEN," "AND ELOQUENTLY MARKED BY THE FINGER OF GOD." "[happy hoots]" "IT TAKES TWO DAYS TO TRAVEL THE 50 MILES THAT SEPARATE THE SISTERS." "DURING THEIR FIRST 18 MONTHS IN THE COLONY," "CATHARINE AND SUSANNA DO NOT EVEN MANAGE A VISIT." "IN THE SPRING OF 1833," "CATHARINE HAS HER FIRST CHILD, A BOY." "SUSANNA GIVES BIRTH TO A SECOND GIRL" "AND FEELS MORE AND MORE TRAPPED BY HER ISOLATION." "[distant thunder]" "BY THE MOODIES' SECOND WINTER IN CANADA," "SUSANNA IS DESPERATELY HOMESICK." "HOME..." "THE WORD HAD CEASED TO BELONG TO MY PRESENT." "IT WAS DOOMED TO LIVE FOREVER IN THE PAST;" "FOR WHAT EMIGRANT" "EVER REGARDED THE COUNTRY OF HIS EXILE AS HIS HOME?" "ANXIOUS TO MAKE SUSANNA HAPPY, JOHN MOODIE MAKES" "A SNAP DECISION, THE FAMILY WILL MOVE DEEP INTO" "THE BACKWOODS TO BE CLOSER TO CATHARINE AND THOMAS." "SUSANNA:" "HAPPILY UNCONSCIOUS OF THE LIFE OF TOIL AND ANXIETY" "THAT AWAITED US IN THOSE DREADFUL WOODS, I TRIED MY BEST" "TO BE CHEERFUL, AND TO REGARD THE FUTURE WITH A HOPEFUL EYE." "[nearby sheep bleat] [baby cries]" "THE MOODIES ARE ALMOST AT THE END OF THEIR" "EXHAUSTING JOURNEY WHEN THEY RUN INTO AN OBSTACLE." "[sombre violin throughout]" "[horse neighs] [glass smashes]" "ô ô" "NARRATOR:" "IN ENGLAND, DURING THE 1830s, AGNES STRICKLAND IS" "ENJOYING EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS." "AS CATHARINE AND SUSANNA" "STRUGGLE IN THE BACKWOODS OF CANADA, THEIR CONFIDENT" "ELDER SISTER IS MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF IN LONDON." "AGNES:" "YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MY LITERARY NEWS, YOU SAY." "I HAD A POEM IN 'UNCLE GREGORY'S WILL'" "AND 'THE INSECT TRAVELLERS' WERE IN THE OFFERING," "AND I HAD A RELIGIOUS POEM IN" "TO HER GREAT SATISFACTION," "AGNES IS COMBINING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS" "WITH SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENT." "AGNES:" "YESTERDAY, I RETURNED THE CALL OF MR. HOWARD OF CORBY," "AND WAS RECEIVED LIKE A PRINCESS." "PHILIP TOOK ME TO THE CARRIAGE ON HIS ARM." "IN JUNE OF 1838, AGNES STRICKLAND PREPARES" "FOR THE MOST EXCITING EVENT OF THE LONDON SEASON:" "THE CORONATION OF A POPULAR NEW QUEEN." "EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD QUEEN VICTORIA" "IS CHARMING AND STYLISH." "SHE IS A MAGNET FOR PUBLIC ATTENTION." "[crowds cheering]" "AGNES QUICKLY PRODUCES A BIOGRAPHY OF THE QUEEN," "A BOOK THAT OVERFLOWS WITH LAVISH DESCRIPTION." "AGNES: "THE CROWN-ROYAL WAS SPARKLING ON HER HEAD," ""AND SHE SUPPORTED ITS WEIGHT WITH SUITABLE DIGNITY." ""IN HER RIGHT HAND SHE BORE THE SCEPTRE, AND IN HER LEFT THE ORB," ""THOUGH ALMOST TOO LARGE FOR THE GRASP OF HER FAIRY FINGERS," ""SHE CARRIED WITH PECULIAR GRACE," "WALKING WITH A FIRM MAJESTIC STEP..."" "NARRATOR: 'QUEEN VICTORIA:" "FROM HER BIRTH TO HER BRIDAL'" "IS A RUNAWAY BESTSELLER." "IT IS ONE OF A SERIES OF" "ROYAL BIOGRAPHIES THAT MAKES AGNES STRICKLAND FAMOUS." "MOST OF AGNES STRICKLAND'S SOCIETY FRIENDS DON'T KNOW" "THE AUTHOR HAS A SECRET;" "ANOTHER STRICKLAND SISTER," "ELIZA, DOES HALF THE WORK BUT PREFERS ANONYMITY." "AGNES PREFERS RECOGNITION." "ON MONDAY, I ATTENDED THE BIRTHDAY DRAWING ROOM," "AND A BRILLIANT SCENE IT WAS." "THE QUEEN GAVE ME A NOD AND" "SMILE OF FRIENDLY RECOGNITION WHEN THE LORD-IN-WAITING" "PRONOUNCED MY NAME." "NOTHING COULD BE MORE GRACIOUS." "SHE SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND MY FEELINGS TOWARDS HER." "NARRATOR:" "WITH A SENSE OF THEATRE ACQUIRED DURING HER CHILDHOOD" "DRAMATIC EVENINGS, AGNES ALWAYS ENJOYS MAKING AN ENTRANCE." "AGNES:" "LAST WEEK, I WAS OBLIGED TO ASSIST THE MANTUA MAKER" "IN MAKING AND ALTERING MY ROBES." "FITTING AND REFITTING, FRILLING AND GRILLING..." "NARRATOR:" "AGNES STRICKLAND'S OUTFITS ARE DESCRIBED" "IN THE NEWSPAPERS, WHICH GIVE DETAILED" "ACCOUNTS OF ALL THE LATEST FASHIONS." "WOMAN: ..." "MISS AGNES STRICKLAND ROBE OF RICH LYONS BROCADE A L'ANTIQUE DOUBLE SKIRTS OF WHITE GLACE SILK..." "NARRATOR:" "A STYLISH WOMAN LIKE AGNES STRICKLAND" "CAN WEAR UP TO 20 POUNDS OF CLOTHING." "[distant crow squawks]" "IN UPPER CANADA, FAR FROM POLITE SOCIETY," "CATHARINE PARR TRAILL AND SUSANNA MOODIE ENDURE ANOTHER SEASON IN THE BUSH." "DURING THE YEARS THAT AGNES" "HAS RISEN TO FAME IN LONDON," "HER SISTERS HAVE STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE." "SUSANNA AND CATHERINE CAME TO CHILDBEARING LATE;" "NOW THEY ARE IN AN EXHAUSTING CYCLE OF PREGNANCY AND BIRTH." "BETWEEN THE AGES OF 29 AND 40," "SUSANNA WOULD HAVE SEVEN BABIES." "CATHERINE WOULD HAVE NINE CHILDREN." "THE SISTERS' LETTERS" "DO NOT DESCRIBE THE ROUGH BACKWOODS BIRTHS," "GENTEEL WOMEN NEVER DISCUSS" "SUCH MESSY FEMALE BUSINESS." "IT IS ALWAYS AN OCCASION WHEN A PARCEL ARRIVES FROM" "AUNT AGNES IN ENGLAND." "[indistinct chatter]" "CHILD:" "IT COULD BE A DUCK?" "IT COULD BE A DUCK, HA!" "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA AND CATHARINE" "SHARE THEIR CHILDREN'S DELIGHT AT THE HANDOUTS," "BUT THE FANCY GIFTS HIGHLIGHT" "THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THEIR SISTER'S LIFE AND THEIR OWN." "BOY:" "A FAN!" "OKAY, LET AGNES HOLD THE FAN." "CATHARINE:" "THAT WILL BECOME USEFUL, WON'T IT?" "IT IS CLEAR THAT AGNES HAS NO REAL UNDERSTANDING OF" "HER SISTERS' DAILY STRUGGLE." "SUSANNA HAS SOLD MOST OF HER OWN CLOTHING BY NOW." "SHE CAN'T ALWAYS AFFORD SHOES FOR HER CHILDREN." "IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE SHE'S WORN A SMART DRESS." "[sombre violin]" "CATHARINE, WHO CAN MAKE THE BEST OF ANYTHING," "SCOFFS AT THOSE WHO WORSHIP AT THE SHRINE OF FASHION." "CATHARINE:" "NOW, WE BUSH SETTLERS ARE MORE INDEPENDENT." "WE DO WHAT WE LIKE;" "WE DRESS AS WE FIND" "MOST SUITABLE AND MOST CONVENIENT." "[birds chirping]" "NARRATOR:" "SINCE JOHN AND SUSANNA'S MOVE" "TO THE BACKWOODS, THE SISTERS' CABINS ARE JUST ONE MILE APART." "THE CLOSENESS PROVIDES COMFORT AS THE WOMEN SHARE" "THE RELENTLESS WORK OF RUNNING PIONEER HOUSEHOLDS." "THERE IS ALWAYS WATER TO FETCH," "CHICKENS TO FEED, CANDLES TO MAKE." "THERE ARE VEGETABLE GARDENS TO WEED," "LAUNDRY TO WASH," "MENDING AND SEWING ALWAYS WAITING." ""..." "IT WAS IN VAIN FOR HER TO LAMENT THE SAD FATE OF HER" "MOTHER AND BRETHREN." "SHE COULD NOT RECALL THEM TO LIFE."" "NARRATOR:" "THERE ARE ANXIOUS DAYS TENDING SICK, UNDERNOURISHED CHILDREN." ""..." "BUT THE COLD WEATHER WAS NOT GONE YET AND" ""POOR LITTLE DOWNEY KNEW SHE HAD NOTHING TO EAT AND" "NO WARM HOUSE TO LIVE IN, BUT MUST MAKE ONE HERSELF."" "[sombre violin throughout]" "[creaking of rocking chair] [no dialogue]" "NARRATOR:" "JOHN MOODIE AND THOMAS TRAILL" "KNOW THEY'VE MADE A MISTAKE COMING TO THE BACKWOODS." "THOMAS PUTS HIS FARM UP FOR SALE, BUT THERE ARE NO TAKERS;" "EMIGRATION TO CANADA HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY." "JOHN MOODIE CONSIDERS A MOVE TO TEXAS," "BUT THE IDEA OF STARTING AGAIN IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH." "[distant crow cries]" "FOR BOTH COUPLES, SAVINGS ARE DEPLETED" "AND DEBTS ARE RUNNING UP." "CATHARINE:" "OUR PROSPECTS BECOME EACH DAY MORE GLOOMY." "THERE IS A CLOUD GATHERING OVER US WHICH I SEE" "NO MEANS OF AVERTING." "THE OVERWHELMING DIFFICULTIES" "OF OUR SITUATION SEEMS TO HAVE PARALYSED MY DEAR HUSBAND." "HE CANNOT THINK." "UNFORTUNATELY, HE CAN ONLY FEEL." "[wind howls]" "FOR MONTHS AT A TIME, THE MOODIES AND TRAILLS" "SURVIVE ON POTATOES, MILK, AND BREAD." "DURING THE WINTER, AS THE FAMILIES HUDDLE IN COLD," "DAMP CABINS, THEIR CHIPPEWA NEIGHBOURS" "HELP SAVE THEM FROM STARVATION." "[sombre instrumental throughout]" "DESPITE THE DIFFICULT YEARS," "THE PASSION OF JOHN AND SUSANNA'S MARRIAGE IS UNDIMMED." "THE WORDS JOHN WROTE DURING THEIR COURTSHIP" "STILL SET THE TONE." "JOHN:" "I CARE FOR NO LUXURIES, DEAREST," "LET ME BUT PRESS YOU TO MY HEART AND I WILL LIVE UPON THOSE" "DEAR LIPS, AND THESE WORLDLY CARES WOULD BE FORGOTTEN." "SUSANNA:" "I AM A VERY RICH WOMAN." "YOU LOVE ME, MY FRIENDS ARE KIND TO ME," "MY DEAR CHILDREN ARE WELL AND HAPPY," "AND WE HAVE UNITED HEARTS AND INTERESTS." "CAN POVERTY EVER OUTWEIGH THESE BLESSINGS?" "NO, DEAREST, NO." "[uplifting instrumental]" "NARRATOR:" "DURING HER FIRST CANADIAN WINTER," "SUSANNA MOODIE HAD CRIED WITH THE COLD." "NOW THE MOODIES CAN LAUGH AT IT." "[all singing] ô OH, THE COLD OF CANADA, NOBODY KNOWS ô ô THE FIRE BURNS OUR SHOES ô ô WITHOUT WARMING OURTOESô ô OH, DEAR WHAT SHALL WE DO?" "ô ô OUR BLANKETS ARE THIN, AND OUR NOSES ARE BLUE ô ô OUR NOSES ARE BLUE AND OUR BLANKETS ARE THIN!" "ô ô IT'S ZERO WITHOUT ô ô AND WE'RE FREEZING WITHIN!" "ô ô OH, DEAR, WHAT SHALL WE DO?" "!" "ô" "JOHN:" "YO!" "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA CALLS JOHN MOODIE HER 'LIGHT OF LIFE.'" "SHE WILL SOON HAVE TO COPE WITH HIS ABSENCE." "JOHN:" "WARMER NOW?" "[dramatic instrumental]" "[looming background music throughout]" "NARRATOR:" "IN EARLY DECEMBER, 1837," "SHOCKING NEWS REACHES THE BACKWOODS." "BOY:" "REBELLION!" "REBELLION IN TORONTO!" "NARRATOR:" "AN ARMED-UPRISING HAS BROKEN OUT IN THE COLONY." "BOY:" "REBELLION!" "REBELLION!" "THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR HELP" "TO PUT DOWN THE REBELLION." "THE REBELS, LED BY WILLIAM LYON MACKENZIE," "ARE FED UP WITH THE BRITISH ELITE IN TORONTO," "WHO RUN UPPER CANADA TO THEIR OWN ADVANTAGE." "GOD PRESERVE US FROM THE FEARFUL CONSEQUENCES OF" "A CIVIL WARFARE." "IT SEEMS WE HAVE BEEN SLUMBERING IN" "FANCIED SECURITY ON A FEARFUL VOLCANO" "WHICH HAS BURST AND MAY POSSIBLY OVERWHELM US." "MOST OF MACKENZIE'S FOLLOWERS ARE DISENCHANTED FARMERS." "THEY PLAN TO ATTACK TORONTO, SEIZE POWER," "AND FORM THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT." "JOHN MOODIE AND THOMAS TRAILL ARE BACKWOODS FARMERS" "THEMSELVES AND HAVE PLENTY OF REASONS TO SYMPATHISE" "WITH THE REBELS." "BUT LIKE MOST RECENT BRITISH IMMIGRANTS," "THEY ARE FIERCELY LOYAL TO ENGLAND," "AND SO THEY VIEW MACKENZIE AS A DANGEROUS TRAITOR." "DESPITE A BROKEN BONE FROM A PLOUGHING ACCIDENT," "JOHN MOODIE LIMPS THE 11 MILES TO PETERBOROUGH" "TO SIGN UP WITH THE LOCAL MILITIA." "CATHARINE:" "MACKENZIE RAISED THE CRY OF REBELLION IN THE LAND" "AND THE ANSWER TO IT HAS BEEN THE RALLYING OF THOUSANDS" "AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOYAL AND VALIANT MEN WITH" "THE THRILLING CRY, LONG LIVE VICTORIA" "AND THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION." "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES, THE RALLYING CRY" "FOR THESE SOLDIERS WILL BE NOT "GOD SAVE THE KING"" "BUT "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN."" "FOR JOHN AND THOMAS, THE CALL TO ARMS IS THRILLING." "SOLDIERING IS THEIR BUSINESS." "AND THEY WILL BE PAID." "SUSANNA:" "OUR AFFAIRS WERE IN SUCH A DESPERATE CONDITION" "THAT MOODIE ANTICIPATED THAT ANY CHANGE MUST BE FOR THE BETTER;" "IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO BE WORSE." "BUT THE POOR ANXIOUS WIFE THOUGHT ONLY OF A PARTING WHICH" "TO HER PUT A FINISHING STROKE TO ALL HER MISFORTUNES." "ALL JOY HAD VANISHED WITH HIM WHO WAS MY LIGHT OF LIFE." "[distant drumming] THE RAGTAG REBELS AND THE UPPER CANADIAN MILITIA" "FACE OFF JUST NORTH OF TORONTO." "FIRE!" "[indistinct shouts]" "STAND YOUR GROUND!" "NARRATOR:" "THE DECEMBER UPRISING FIZZLES WITHIN A WEEK," "BUT IN THE UNEASY WINTER FOLLOWING THE REBELLION," "THERE ARE CONSTANT RUMOURS OF WAR." "SUSANNA:" "SEVERAL REGIMENTS OF MILITIA WERE FORMED TO DEFEND" "THE COLONY, AND TO MY HUSBAND WAS GIVEN THE RANK OF" "CAPTAIN IN ONE OF THOSE STATIONED IN TORONTO." "NARRATOR:" "JOHN MOODIE IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM CREDITORS IN" "COBOURG AND PETERBOROUGH, A STEADY SALARY MEANS" "HE CAN PAY OFF SOME DEBTS." "SUSANNA AND JOHN WILL SPEND MORE TIME APART" "THAN TOGETHER FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS." "JOHN:" "MY DEAREST SUZIE," "I HAVE BEEN SO BOTHERED" "AND HURRIED ABOUT WITH PARADES, DRILLS AND OTHER DUTIES THAT" "I HAVE NOT, TILL THIS MOMENT, BEEN ABLE TO SETTLE MYSELF" "SUFFICIENTLY TO WRITE TO YOU AND OUR SWEET BABES." "GOD BLESS YOU ALL." "HOW I LONG TO CLASP YOU TO MY HEART, MY OWN GOOD OLD WIFE." "[sweet, sombre violin]" "SUSANNA:" "I HAVE SHED MORE TEARS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN AWAY" "THAN DURING THE WHOLE PERIOD OF OUR MARRIAGE." "I WISH YOU WERE HERE." "THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I ALMOST WISH I COULD LOVE YOU LESS." "THIS WEARY LONGING AFTER YOU" "MAKES MY LIFE PASS AWAY LIKE A DREAM." "JOHN:" "MY POOR OLD WIDOW IN THE BUSH." "SUSANNA:" "MY DEAREST HUSBAND..." "MY DEAREST LOVE." "MY DEAREST MOODIE." "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA AND JOHN CROSS WRITE THEIR LETTERS." "WHEN A PAGE IS FILLED, THEY TURN IT AND WRITE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION." "JOHN:" "MY DEAREST SUZIE..." "NARRATOR:" "SOMETIMES A THIRD LAYER IS EVEN ADDED DIAGONALLY." "SINCE MAIL IS PRICED BY THE PAGE," "THIS COMMON TECHNIQUE SAVES POSTAGE AND PAPER." "JOHN:" "IT MAY BE THAT I AM TOLERABLY SICK OF MILITIA" "SOLDIERING AND SHALL BE RIGHT GLAD TO GET BACK TO" "MY OLD WOMAN AND OUR DEAR BRATS AGAIN." "I DREAMT YOU RETURNED LAST NIGHT AND I WAS SO GLAD," "BUT YOU PUSHED ME AWAY AND SAID YOU HAD TAKEN A VOW OF CELIBACY," "AND MEANT TO LIVE ALONE," "AND I BURST INTO SUCH FITS OF LAUGHING THAT I AWOKE." "...ONLY ONE OR TWO SHEETS" "OF PAPER LEFT TO WRITE TO YOU." "JOHN:" "FAREWELL DEAREST." "KISS MY SWEET BRATS FOR ME." "[sombre violin throughout]" "[background music ends]" "NARRATOR:" "DURING HER LONELY NIGHTS, SUSANNA BUSIES HERSELF" "WITH ANYTHING THAT MIGHT RAISE SOME CASH." "SHE BECOMES A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO" "A NEW MONTREAL MAGAZINE, 'THE LITERARY GARLAND.'" "SHE MAKES NOVELTY GIFTS FROM" "THE FUNGUS THAT GROWS ON MAPLE TREES." "SUSANNA:" "ONE RICH LADY IN PETERBOROUGH ORDERED" "TWO DOZEN TO SEND AS CURIOSITIES TO ENGLAND." "THESE, AT ONE SHILLING EACH, ENABLED ME TO BUY SHOES FOR THE CHILDREN." "ô ô" "NARRATOR:" "ALMOST IN SPITE OF HERSELF," "SUSANNA MOODIE HAS BECOME A COMPETENT SETTLER;" "SHE HAS LEARNED TO CANOE AND FISH," "PLANT THE CROPS AND BRING THEM IN," "AND CAPABLY RUN THE FARM BY HERSELF." "AT TIMES, SHE EVEN FEELS AT HOME IN CANADA." "SUSANNA:" "IN MOMENTS LIKE THESE, I CEASED TO REGRET MY SEPARATION" "FROM MY NATIVE LAND;" "AND, FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF NATURE," "MY HEART FORGOT FOR THE TIME THE LOVE OF HOME." "[loon cries out] [no background music]" "THE FRAGILE ENGLISHWOMAN, WHO ARRIVED IN 1832," "IS NOW A TOUGH, RESOURCEFUL PIONEER." "[sombre violin throughout] [crackling of fire]" "WHEN THE MOODIES' CABIN CATCHES FIRE ON A BITTER WINTER NIGHT," "SUSANNA, BY HERSELF," "SAVES HER HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND HER CHILDREN." "SUSANNA:" "TO EXPOSE THE YOUNG, TENDER THINGS TO THE DIREFUL" "COLD WAS ALMOST AS BAD AS LEAVING THEM TO THE MERCY OF" "THE FIRE." "AT LAST, I HIT UPON A PLAN TO KEEP THEM FROM FREEZING." "I EMPTIED ALL THE CLOTHES OUT OF A LARGE, DEEP CHEST OF DRAWERS," "AND DRAGGED THE EMPTY DRAWERS UP THE HILL;" "THESE I LINED WITH" "BLANKETS, AND PLACED A CHILD IN EACH CORNER, COVERING IT" "WELL OVER WITH THE BEDDING UNTIL HELP SHOULD ARRIVE." "[children giggling throughout]" "NARRATOR:" "WHILE THEIR CABIN IS BEING REPAIRED," "THE FAMILY STAYS WITH THE TRAILLS." "ONCE AGAIN," "ENJOYING THE EASY WARMTH OF CATHARINE'S HOUSEHOLD." "[sombre instrumental throughout]" "DURING THE YEARS THEY LIVE AS NEIGHBOURS IN THE BACKWOODS," "SUSANNA AND CATHARINE TAKE FOR GRANTED" "THE CASUAL VISITS AND SISTERLY TALKS." "ON GOOD DAYS, THERE ARE MOMENTS" "THAT REMIND THE SISTERS OF THEIR OWN CHILDHOOD." "ON BAD DAYS, THERE IS AT LEAST SOMEONE TO TALK TO." "IT IS A WRENCHING BLOW FOR BOTH SISTERS WHEN THE TRAILLS" "FINALLY SELL THEIR FARM AND MOVE TO A VILLAGE NEAR PETERBOROUGH." "SUSANNA:" "THE DEAR TRAILLS ARE GONE, I AM DOUBLY LONELY NOW." "MANY TEARS HAVE I SHED FOR THEIR REMOVAL," "WE HAVE BEEN ON SUCH HAPPY TERMS ALL WINTER." "NARRATOR:" "THE TRAILL FAMILY WILL MOVE SEVERAL TIMES" "OVER THE YEARS, BUT IT IS PAINFULLY CLEAR FROM" "CATHARINE'S LETTERS THAT THEIR FINANCES DON'T IMPROVE." "CATHARINE:" "CAN THE BAILIFFS" "SEIZE THE PORK AND FLOUR THAT ARE IN THE HOUSE?" "CAN A PERSON REFUSE TO TAKE A SUMMONS OR WRIT," "AND IF THEY DO NOT, DOES IT INVOLVE ANY FINE?" "IN SHORT, DEAR, I AM SO IGNORANT OF THESE DEBTOR AND CREDITOR" "MATTERS THAT I SEEM PUZZLED BY THE MOST COMMON FORMS." "MY HUSBAND CANNOT BEAR TO DISCUSS THEM WITH ME AND INDEED" "I BELIEVE HE KNOWS AS LITTLE WHAT STEPS TO TAKE AS I DO MYSELF." "NARRATOR:" "AS THE 1830s DRAW TO A CLOSE," "SUSANNA FEELS MORE ISOLATED THAN EVER." "CATHERINE IS ELEVEN LONG MILES AWAY." "JOHN IS 95 MILES AWAY IN BELLEVILLE," "WORKING AT ANOTHER TEMPORARY MILITARY JOB." "DURING THIS TIME, SUSANNA AND" "THE CHILDREN ARE PLAGUED BY ILLNESS." "[weak coughing]" "FEW TOWN DOCTORS WILL EVEN" "VENTURE INTO THE BACKWOODS;" "ONE WHO DOES HAS SOME STERN ADVICE." "SUSANNA:" "WHEN HE LOOKED 'ROUND THE FORLORN," "COLD, DIRTY ROOM," "FEEBLY LIGHTED BY THE WRETCHED LAMP," "HE SAID WITH GREAT EMPHASIS, "IN THE NAME OF GOD!" "MRS. MOODIE, GET OUT OF THIS."" "[birds chirping]" "NARRATOR:" "IN THE WINTER OF 1839, SUSANNA RECEIVES" "THE NEWS SHE HAS LONG HOPED FOR." "JOHN:" "COME DOWN AS SOON AS I LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE" "A HOUSE FOR YOU." "I REALLY LONG TO KISS YOU ALL AGAIN." "AT LONG LAST, JOHN MOODIE" "HAS LANDED A SUITABLE JOB IN BELLEVILLE," "HE WILL BE THE NEW SHERIFF FOR HASTINGS COUNTY." "[dramatic instrumental throughout]" "SUSANNA MOODIE PREPARES FOR HER RETURN TO SOCIETY." "SUSANNA:" "FOR SEVEN YEARS, I HAD LIVED OUT OF THE WORLD ENTIRELY;" "MY PERSON HAD BEEN RENDERED COARSE BY HARD WORK" "AND EXPOSURE TO THE WEATHER." "I CLUNG TO MY SOLITUDE." "I DID NOT LIKE TO BE DRAGGED FROM IT TO MINGLE IN GAY SCENES," "IN A BUSY TOWN WITH GAILY-DRESSED PEOPLE." "I WAS NO LONGER FIT FOR THE WORLD." "NARRATOR:" "AS SHE LEAVES THE BACKWOODS FOREVER," "SUSANNA IS OVERCOME" "WITH UNEXPECTED NOSTALGIA FOR THE PLACE" "SHE SO OFTEN DREAMED OF ESCAPING." "SUSANNA:" "THAT WAS THE LAST NIGHT I EVER SPENT IN THE BUSH," "IN THE DEAR FOREST HOME WHICH I HAD LOVED," "IN SPITE OF ALL THE HARDSHIPS." "THE MOODIES WOULD SOON BECOME TOWN FOLK." "BUT IT WOULD BE THESE YEARS OF HARDSHIP IN THE WOODS" "THAT SUSANNA MOODIE WOULD WRITE BEST ABOUT." "HER BOOK ABOUT LIFE IN THE CANADIAN BUSH" "WOULD MAKE HER NAME." "AND CAUSE A STIR" "ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC." "[dramatic instrumental]" "[upbeat classical throughout]" "NARRATOR:" "IN ENGLAND, IN THE 1850s," "BOOKS ARE BOUND BY HAND." "NEARLY 30 SEPARATE OPERATIONS ARE REQUIRED." "IN 1852, SUSANNA MOODIE'S MOST IMPORTANT BOOK" "IS PUBLISHED IN LONDON." "'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH' IS A RECORD OF HER EXPERIENCE" "AS A SETTLER IN UPPER CANADA, WHAT SHE CALLS," ""THIS GREAT EPOCH OF OUR LIVES."" "THE BOOK DESCRIBES SUSANNA MOODIE'S JOURNEY" "FROM NAIVE NEWCOMER TO HARDENED PIONEER." "MORE THAN 2,000 COPIES ARE PRINTED" "IN TWO-VOLUME SETS." "SUSANNA DEDICATES THE BOOK TO HER SISTER AGNES STRICKLAND," "THE FAMOUS AUTHOR OF 'THE LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND,'" "A SET OF HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHIES" "THAT WILL EVENTUALLY RUN TO 12 VOLUMES." "THE DEDICATION MAY HAVE COME FROM SISTERLY ADMIRATION," "OR MAYBE SUSANNA HOPED THE FAMOUS FAMILY CONNECTION" "WOULD HELP SELL BOOKS." "AGNES STRICKLAND IS NOW A GRAND CELEBRITY IN ENGLAND" "THE FOREMOST ROYAL BIOGRAPHER OF THE AGE." "AGNES:" "THE GREAT GAIN FROM 'THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND' IS THAT" "IT HAS GIVEN ME A GRAND PLACE IN SOCIETY AS WELL AS LITERATURE." "SINCE I LAST WROTE, I HAVE BEEN DOWN TO WINDSOR," "AND HAD A LONG MORNING IN THE ROYAL LIBRARY." "YESTERDAY, I DRANK TEA WITH LADY BEDINGFIELD." "NARRATOR:" "IN LONDON, AGNES MODELS" "FOR AN OFFICIAL PORTRAIT IN THE VELVET DRESS" "SHE WORE WHEN SHE WAS PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN." "THE ARTIST MANAGES TO SOFTEN HIS MODEL'S IMPERIOUS FEATURES" "INTO SOMETHING MORE FASHIONABLY FEMININE." "ô ô" "DURING THE 1840s AND '50s, AGNES TOURS COUNTRY ESTATES" "IN ENGLAND AND EUROPE, COMBING THEIR ATTICS FOR HISTORICAL RECORDS," "AND MAKING VALUABLE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS WITH THE LORDS AND LADIES OF THE MANORS." "AGNES:" "EVERYBODY MADE MUCH OF US." "IT IS WITH THE HIGHER CIRCLES I FEEL MOST AT EASE." "THE SCOTTISH PAPERS ANNOUNCE ALL MY ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES" "AS IF I WAS A QUEEN MYSELF." "NARRATOR:" "WHEN HER COPY OF" "'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH' ARRIVES, AGNES IS INITIALLY" "PLEASED AT THE HONOUR OF SUSANNA'S DEDICATION." "HER APPROVAL TURNS TO HORROR AS SHE TAKES IN SCENES OF" "VULGAR CHARACTERS AND COARSE SOCIETY." ""WHAT ON EARTH IS SUSANNA DOING, WRITING ABOUT" "DRUNKS AND LUNATICS IN THE WILDS OF CANADA?"" "WHAT WILL AGNES STRICKLAND'S SOCIETY FRIENDS THINK?" "[comedic instrumental background music]" "THERE IS ANOTHER VISION OF CANADA THAT IS MUCH MORE" "ACCEPTABLE TO AGNES." "HER OTHER SISTER," "CATHARINE PARR TRAILL, WRITES UPLIFTING BOOKS" "THAT PRAISE LIFE IN THE COLONY." "CATHARINE:" "FOR ALL ITS ROUGHNESS, I LOVE CANADA," "AND AM AS HAPPY IN MY HUMBLE LOG HOUSE" "AS IF IT WERE A COURTLY HALL OR BOWER." "[distant crow squawks]" "'THE BACKWOODS OF CANADA' 'THE CANADIAN SETTLER'S GUIDE'" "ARE CHEERFUL HANDBOOKS FOR FEMALE EMIGRANTS." "CATHARINE'S BOOKS ARE FULL OF HELPFUL HINTS," "REMEDIES AND RECIPES." "CATHARINE:" "THE FIRST THING TO BE DONE IN TAPPING THE MAPLES," "IS TO PROVIDE LITTLE ROUGH TROUGHS TO CATCH THE SAP" "AS IT FLOWS." "THESE ARE MERELY PIECES OF PINE TREE HOLLOWED..." "MAPLE VINEGAR: ..." "STRAIN THE LIQUOR INTO THE VESSEL..." "MAPLE BEER:" "THIS IS MADE WITH SAP..." "MAPLE WINE: ..." "SET IT TO FERMENT WITH A LITTLE YEAST." "NARRATOR:" "CATHARINE AND SUSANNA'S BOOKS" "DRAW ON THE SAME MATERIAL," "BUT ARE AS DIFFERENT AS THE SISTERS' PERSONALITIES." "WHEN CATHARINE DESCRIBES A COMMUNITY LOGGING BEE," "SHE MAKES IT SOUND LIKE A GENTEEL TEA PARTY." "CATHARINE:" "YOU WILL SEE THE SON OF THE EDUCATED GENTLEMAN AND" "THAT OF THE POOR ARTISAN, THE OFFICER AND THE PRIVATE SOLDIER," "THE INDEPENDENT SETTLER AND THE LABOURER WHO WORKS" "OUT FOR HIRE, CHEERFULLY UNITING IN ONE COMMON CAUSE." "IN SPITE OF THE DIFFERENCE OF RANK AMONG THOSE THAT ASSISTED AT THE BEE," "THE GREATEST POSSIBLE HARMONY PREVAILED, AND THE PARTY" "SEPARATED WELL PLEASED WITH THE DAY'S WORK AND ENTERTAINMENT." "[men sing indistinct]" "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA MOODIE OBSERVES THE SAME SCENE" "WITH A MORE IRONIC EYE." "SUSANNA:" "THEY ARE NOISY, RIOTOUS, DRUNKEN MEETINGS," "OFTEN TERMINATING IN VIOLENT QUARRELS," "SOMETIMES EVEN IN BLOODSHED." "ACCIDENTS OF THE MOST SERIOUS" "NATURE OFTEN OCCUR, AND VERY LITTLE WORK IS DONE" "WHEN WE CONSIDER THE NUMBER OF HANDS EMPLOYED," "AND THE GREAT CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND LIQUOR." "HOW GLAD I WAS WHEN THEY AT LAST BROKE UP;" "AND WE WERE ONCE MORE" "LEFT IN PEACE TO COLLECT THE BROKEN GLASSES AND CUPS," "AND THE SCATTERED FRAGMENTS OF THAT HATEFUL FEAST." "NARRATOR: 'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH'" "DOES NOT FLINCH FROM DESCRIBING THE WORST OF TIMES IN" "UPPER CANADA:" "THE PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOLISM IN THE BUSH," "THE DESPERATION OF MOTHERS UNABLE TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN," "THE CRUEL WINTERS," "THE LONELINESS." "AGNES IS APPALLED BY 'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH,'" "AND DEMANDS THE DEDICATION BE REMOVED FROM" "ALL SUBSEQUENT EDITIONS." "SHE HAS SOME ADVICE FOR SUSANNA" "ON HOW TO BE A CREDIT TO THE STRICKLAND FAMILY NAME." "AGNES:" "I HAD THE PRUDENCE TO COMMIT FOUR WHOLE VOLUMES" "TO THE FLAMES YEARS AGO, AND MANY A PRODUCTION HAS FOLLOWED" "THAT MIGHT HAVE PROVED A SCORPION TO MYSELF AND OTHERS" "WHEN THE MONEY THEY WOULD HAVE REALISED WOULD HAVE BEEN" "EXPENDED AND NOTHING BUT VEXATION LEFT." "WHEN THE BOOK BEGINS TO CIRCULATE IN UPPER CANADA," "THERE IS GRUMBLING FROM A FEW LOCAL CRITICS." "MAN:" "THE NOVEL IS FOUNDED ON THE PUBLISHED EXPERIENCE OF" "A DISAPPOINTED SETTLER, AN APE OF ARISTOCRACY," "TOO POOR TO LIE ON A SOFA AND TOO PROUD TO LABOUR FOR A LIVING." "NARRATOR:" "HOWEVER, MOST REVIEWS OF 'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH,'" "BOTH IN ENGLAND AND IN NORTH AMERICA," "ARE EVERYTHING SUSANNA MOODIE HAD HOPED FOR." "MAN:" "MRS. MOODIE'S WORK, UNAFFECTEDLY AND" "NATURALLY WRITTEN, THOUGH A LITTLE COARSE," "WILL DELIGHT LADIES, PLEASE MEN, AND EVEN AMUSE CHILDREN." "THE BOOK IS ONE OF GREAT ORIGINALITY AND INTEREST." "MAN #2:" "MRS. MOODIE IS UNQUESTIONABLY ONE OF THE MOST" "DISTINGUISHED PIONEERS OF CANADIAN LITERATURE." "IT IS AS GOOD A LOUNGING BOOK FOR A WARM SUMMER'S EVENING," "AS ANY MODERN NOVEL YOU COULD CONDESCEND UPON." "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA MOODIE HAS EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD." "WITHIN A YEAR, 'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH' IS CLOSE TO TOPPLING" "ONE OF THE ALL-TIME BESTSELLERS IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA," "'UNCLE TOM'S CABIN' BY HARRIET BEECHER-STOWE." "SUSANNA'S BOOK WILL BE REPRINTED THREE TIMES WITHIN" "THE DECADE, AND 'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH' WILL STILL BE READ 150 YEARS AFTER ITS INITIAL PUBLICATION." "[dramatic instrumental]" "[classical background music throughout]" "NARRATOR:" "NEAR THE END OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY," "MORE THAN 50 YEARS AFTER SUSANNA AND CATHARINE FIRST ARRIVED IN CANADA," "THERE IS A WINTER GALA AT THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S" "RESIDENCE IN OTTAWA." "AT THE EDGE OF THE CROWD," "AN ELDERLY WOMAN TAKES IN THE SPECTACLE." "CATHARINE:" "WELL, IT WAS INDEED THE GRANDEST SIGHT THAT I EVER" "WITNESSED." "THE SWIFT TOBOGGANS FLASHED PAST ON A DOWNWARD" "DESCENT WITH A SPEED THAT ALMOST TOOK AWAY MY BREATH." "NARRATOR:" "IT IS CATHARINE PARR TRAILL," "AT THE AGE OF 82." "WHEN CATHARINE ARRIVED IN UPPER CANADA," "SHE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN, A NEW BRIDE," "AND AN UNTESTED PIONEER IN A RAW COLONY." "FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS, SHE AND SUSANNA WITNESSED" "THE COLONY BECOMING A COUNTRY." "[distant train whistle blows]" "A NATION WITH A RAILROAD THAT WOULD STRETCH FROM" "COAST TO COAST AND A GRAND NEW BUILDING" "TO HOUSE A CANADIAN PARLIAMENT." "CATHARINE:" "THERE IS NOT NOW THE STRUGGLE FOR MERE BREAD" "THAT THERE WAS." "THE CULTIVATION OF THE MIND IS EXTENDING FAR" "AND WIDE, EVEN TO THE REMOTEST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY." "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA MOODIE, WHO HAD ONCE CALLED CANADA" "A PRISON-HOUSE FROM WHICH SHE COULD NOT ESCAPE," "WOULD LATER SAY NOTHING COULD PERSUADE HER TO LEAVE." "SUSANNA:" "YOU WILL SOON LEARN TO LOVE CANADA AS I NOW LOVE IT," "WHO ONCE VIEWED IT WITH A HATRED SO INTENSE" "THAT I LONGED TO DIE." "I LIKE THE COLONY SO WELL NOW" "THAT I WOULD NOT WISH TO GO HOME." "CANADA IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, A" "AND HAS A GREAT FUTURE BEFORE IT." "NARRATOR:" "DURING THESE DECADES OF ENORMOUS CHANGE IN CANADA," "THE SISTERS KEPT IN TOUCH THROUGH OCCASIONAL VISITS" "AND STEADY CORRESPONDENCE." "SUSANNA AND CATHARINE'S LETTERS" "ALWAYS INCLUDED FAMILY NEWS AS THEIR CHILDREN GREW UP," "GOT MARRIED, AND HAD CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN." "IT IS CLEAR FROM SUSANNA'S LETTERS" "THAT THE MOODIES' ROMANCE STILL BURNED." "SUSANNA:" "WILL AGE NEVER DIMINISH MY LOVE FOR THIS MAN?" "THE KIND DARLING SENT ME A BEAUTIFUL GOLD LOCKET" "AND CHAIN CONTAINING A CAPITAL LIKENESS OF HIMSELF." "YOU WOULD LAUGH TO SEE ME REGARDING THAT" "WHITE-BEARDED FACE WITH THE DEVOTION OF OLD TIMES." "THE OLD ROMANCE OF MY NATURE IS NOT QUITE DEAD." "THE POETRY OF LIFE STILL LINGERS ABOUT MY HEART." "[upbeat piano instrumental, birds chirping]" "NARRATOR:" "SUSANNA AND CATHARINE'S FAMOUS SISTER" "IN ENGLAND, AGNES STRICKLAND, NEVER MARRIED, DECLARING" "THE PURSUIT OF LITERATURE UNFAVOURABLE TO DOMESTIC LIFE." "AGNES NEVER FORGAVE SUSANNA FOR WRITING" "'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH,' DESPITE CATHARINE'S ATTEMPTS" "TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN HER SISTERS." "SUSANNA MOODIE CONTINUED TO WRITE, PUBLISHING" "SEVEN MORE BOOKS BEFORE HER DEATH AT AGE 82." "[rumbling thunder]" "WHEN SHE DIED IN 1885, THE TORONTO MAIL" "CALLED SUSANNA'S LIFE A REMARKABLE ONE, CONNECTED WITH" "THE MOST STIRRING SCENES IN CANADIAN HISTORY." "THE GLOBE 'ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH'" "THE BEST-READ BOOK EVER WRITTEN IN CANADA." "CATHARINE PARR TRAILL HAD HER MOST SATISFYING SUCCESS IN HER OLD AGE." "FROM HER EARLIEST DAYS IN CANADA, SHE SAW BEAUTY" "IN THE WILDERNESS, AND DEVOTED HERSELF TO LEARNING ABOUT" "THE PLANTS AND FLOWERS OF HER NEW COUNTRY." "JUST AFTER CONFEDERATION IN 1867, WHEN THE APPETITE" "FOR EVERYTHING CANADIAN WAS HIGH, SHE PUBLISHED" "'CANADIAN WILDFLOWERS:" "A BOTANICAL GUIDE'" "THAT BECAME AN INSTANT CLASSIC." "CATHARINE PARR TRAILL WAS WIDELY RESPECTED AND ADMIRED" "FOR HER LIFE'S WORK BY THE TIME SHE DIED AT AGE 97." "SUSANNA MOODIE AND CATHERINE PARR TRAILL GAVE CANADIANS" "AN ENDURING RECORD OF SURVIVAL AND TRIUMPH." "THEIR BOOKS WOULD INSPIRE GENERATIONS OF READERS" "AND WRITERS AND THEIR ADOPTED COUNTRY WOULD COUNT THEM" "AMONG THE FOUNDERS OF CANADIAN LITERATURE." "[distant laughter]" "[children's faint laughter]" "YOUNG SUSANNA: ..." "A PRIMROSE AND A PANSY," "GROWING SIDE BY SIDE, THROUGH ALL THE BUDS THAT BLOSSOM," "THE GLORY AND THE PRIDE..." "NARRATOR:" "THE STRICKLAND SISTERS ONCE DREAMED OF" "BECOMING FAMOUS AUTHORS." "AT REYDON HALL, WHERE THEY ACTED" "OUT SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE AND INVENTED STORIES OF THEIR OWN," "THERE IS AN INTIMATE REMINDER OF THE GIRLS" "DETERMINED TO LEAVE THEIR MARK IN THE WORLD." "IN THE TINY ROOM AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS," "ETCHED CAREFULLY INTO THE WINDOWPANE," "THERE ARE DATES AND NAMES... [whispered voices] YOUNG CATHARINE:" "CATHARINE PARR STRICKLAND, APRIL 27, 1813..." "YOUNG SUSANNA:" "SUSANNA STRICKLAND..." "YOUNG AGNES:" "AGNES STRICKLAND CATHARINE PARR STRICKLAND, MAY 9TH, 1822... [background classical music grows]" "[theme music throughout]" "CLOSED CAPTIONS RIPPED by Tantico (07.2012)"