Notes on Barnardo Bibliography

24. Corbett, Gail Helena Barnardo Children in Canada Peterborough, Ontario: Woodland Publishers, 1981

A sepia-coloured medium-sized softback book on the front cover of which is an attractive oval-framed photograph of a group of happy-looking girls and staff walking in crocdile form away from a large house in the background, the title being split above and below, beneath which is the author's name offset to the right. Both title and author are repeated down the spine, followed by the publishers insignia. The fly-leaf repeats title and author, and also provides a caption for the front cover photo (Barnardo Girls Arrive in Canada). The title page has both title and author boldly printed and offset to the right, and shares with the fly-leaf reverse a large faintly printed photograph of a crowd of be-hatted Victorian girls and two elegantly dressed ladies behind them. On the back is the author's copyright and publication date, ISBN, full Canadian Catalogue details, and further printing and publishing details. Acknowledgements are made to Barnardo's of London, among others. There is a long list of comprehensive illustrations, and the contents include five sections: In the Beginning, Exodus, O Canada, Barnardo's Children Go West, Barnardo Children Recall. The Preface addresses the Reader and offers a short but eloquent account of the children of whom this book is a portrait.

Comment: An important part of Barnardo's work seen from the Canadian view.

The text in each section is descriptive and well-documented, and objective rather than laudatory. There is free usage of evangelical language, including hymns and poems throughout. Important issues such as the history and sociology of destitute children in the England of the 19th century, the relationship to the law, parental permission, and the actual physical and emotional trials of the emigration trips are well exposed. The co-operation of Barnardo with Annie Macpherson in arranging the emigration trips is presented, and the 'O Canada' section begins with the participation of Barnardo girls in the scheme. Reports from the press and official documents cover the successes and failures of the scheme in detail, the 98% in the first category easily offset by the few tragic failures.'Go West' describes the particular hazards for Barnardo children involved in this famous American undertaking, and the final section is filled with the vivid and moving recalls of Canadian citizens who began as Barnardo immigrants.

Comment: A good Canadian account of an important aspect of Barnardo's work that reflects well his evangelical enterprise and powers of organisation.



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